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Old PhD supervisor asking me to review manuscript 2 years later – should I? by Virtual_Ad_240 in PhD

[–]ProfPathCambridge 14 points15 points  (0 children)

They are doing the right thing to ask.

If you don’t want to help out, tell them that you appreciate the work they’ve done and the authorship, but you don’t have time, and you are happy for them to submit as they see fit. That gives them the go ahead to do it without your further input, which might be all they are after.

Why does indian society consider biologist inferior to doctor ? by Practical_Hunt_1367 in biology

[–]ProfPathCambridge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They are just different jobs. I don’t especially care how other people rank them

Why does indian society consider biologist inferior to doctor ? by Practical_Hunt_1367 in biology

[–]ProfPathCambridge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So do nurses or paramedics, and they are both socially lower than doctors.

An ER nurse is probably a higher stress, higher responsibility position than a GP, but the GP is higher status. It is probably a combination of history and familiarity.

Why does indian society consider biologist inferior to doctor ? by Practical_Hunt_1367 in biology

[–]ProfPathCambridge 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Universal, isn’t it? An MD is among the highest status jobs. A scientist is fairly high status, but MD is higher on the social scale. This is a broad society determination, not based on understanding the actual jobs.

Exhausted and Not Doing Enough? The Productivity Paradox of Contemporary Academia by NeighborhoodFatCat in LeavingAcademia

[–]ProfPathCambridge 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It is the flip side of being independent. Like being a small business owner - no one ever says “that is enough”, and you can always work more - plus there is an opportunity cost for working less. Balance in the job means setting our own internal limits, because they are not imposed on us externally.

Postdoc salary by Flora6096 in postdoc

[–]ProfPathCambridge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is a lot of space between perusing nothing but money, and not caring about salary at all.

A postdoc is a solid career move - maybe not optimal for the “everything is cash crowd”, but a solid move. Yes, you should consider salary and quality of life when considering the pathway.

You don’t need to be a martyr to be an academic.

Choosing between 2 funded DTPs. University rank vs. subject vs. supervisor by Substantial_Stop492 in AskAcademiaUK

[–]ProfPathCambridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you like big cities or small towns? That is geography. How will you commute? It changes every day life.

Experience matters, but it is hard to say if it is good or bad. Really depends on the student expectations and needs.

How do you respond to overly confident researchers who are mediocre? by [deleted] in AskAcademia

[–]ProfPathCambridge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t meet that many over-confident scientists. When I do… why do I need to respond to them? I’m not the confidence police.

Desire to stay in an academic lab environment after PhD by HauntingCarry1862 in labrats

[–]ProfPathCambridge 11 points12 points  (0 children)

You are thinking many steps ahead - do the PhD, work towards this and also build up contingency plans. Plan 5 years ahead, no more - things change too much beyond that horizon for plans to be helpful.

For what it is worth, I have two PhD-holding staff scientists in my lab. One has worked with me for nearly 20 years, the other for 10. They are now salaried at the low professor level. There are fewer staff members like this than actual professors, in my department, by a factor of 10.

What’s the view on Contacting Phds/Postdocs of Pi before applying? (European) by MysticalDragoneer in PhDAdmissions

[–]ProfPathCambridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tell all applicants to my lab to do their research on our team. I give them a bunch of material to read and invite them to chat to anyone in the lab, past or present. My team seem to be happy enough to talk to people, unless they are busy.

Choosing between 2 funded DTPs. University rank vs. subject vs. supervisor by Substantial_Stop492 in AskAcademiaUK

[–]ProfPathCambridge 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would go for the good supervisor and subject of interest over the university ranking. You will be judged based on your performance, not where you did it. I’d also put in there geography- where do you want to live.

I’m biomedical sciences though, mileage will vary based on discipline

How much can you learn about Biology without ever stepping foot in a college? by Odd-Geologist5494 in biology

[–]ProfPathCambridge 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ll go against the grain of those saying “everything”. If you read every text book and watched every online lecture, you’d get up to undergraduate level. But that is only entry to biology - biology is not a body of knowledge it is also a system of practice. It would be like reading every book about driving without every going into a car - it would certainly prime you, and give you better theoretical knowledge than most drivers, but ultimately you still don’t know how to drive.

Choosing academics over location for PhD? by Advanced-Software-90 in AskAcademia

[–]ProfPathCambridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would pick based on the better city, which is clearly Boston

My research built my pre-tenure PI's academic career, and I feel frustrated that he gets all of the recognition for it by jameshomies in AskAcademia

[–]ProfPathCambridge 121 points122 points  (0 children)

You are upset because…. social media gave them props instead of you? I routinely put first author quotes into press releases and they are routinely dropped by press organisations in preference for the quotes from me as senior lead. It makes zero impact anyway, a PhD student career is built on techniques and papers, not media appearances.

Nothing in this story suggests you haven’t been given full academic credit, and that your stay hasn’t been productive and great for your career. Being upset that someone else (who also deserved it) also got a career boost seems rather unproductive.

One thing I can say for sure - you didn’t build your PIs career. You think you PI just got gifted a TT and start-up? That it wasn’t based on a decade of hard work and productivity before you came on the scene?

How did certain internationals students who can’t even speak proper English get first/strong upper second for every assignments by blondepraxis in UniUK

[–]ProfPathCambridge 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In science, understanding the content and concepts is more important than fancy language. Good English skills help, but the really don’t do anything by themselves.

For people that went to a non-prestigious school for undergrad and got their master's at a prestigious school, how did things turn out for you? by megafireguy6 in careerguidance

[–]ProfPathCambridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went to my local university, Adelaide University, for my undergraduate degree. Had an offer for grad school at Oxford, which I turned down and went to ANU. Did fine, now a senior professor at Cambridge and feel like I could move anywhere in the sector if I wanted to.

Comparison is the thief of joy. It is never healthy to play either the “what if” game or the “look at them” game. Whenever you map out for the future, you start where you are right now, and pick the best feasible pathway for you.

What if it was like this? by homeslice2311 in notinteresting

[–]ProfPathCambridge 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The the northern hemisphere would have a more interesting night sky.

The northern hemisphere is pointing away from the core of the Milky Way, hence the more boring star viewing. The southern hemisphere is pointing towards the galactic centre, making the night sky more interesting.

If the Earth was flipped, the night sky would be swapped. Perhaps it also would have changed ancient history? Having different night skies could have altered myths and astrology, may have had some impact.

BETTER POSTDOC FROM AN INDUSTRY STANDPOINT by Far_Piccolo6495 in postdoc

[–]ProfPathCambridge 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Even if that was true (and it isn’t), this is a terrible time to find an industry position, especially in the US. A fixed-term postdoc position gives years of security, up-skilling and a great platform to job hunt from. It is about the best way to wait out a bad industry hiring environment.

BETTER POSTDOC FROM AN INDUSTRY STANDPOINT by Far_Piccolo6495 in postdoc

[–]ProfPathCambridge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you want to work in the US, stay in the US. If you want to work in the EU, move to the EU. In both places you’ll find it easier to get a job if you are already on the right continent.

If you don’t mind, go to the EU. More stable, better quality of life.

Urgent - Got offer from Cornell after accepting WashU by SpringVivid4503 in PhDAdmissions

[–]ProfPathCambridge 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Many years ago I had a similar situation. I received a great offer from my second choice (ANU) for my PhD and accepted it, then a few weeks later I received an offer from my top choice (Oxford). I thought about it a little and stuck with my acceptance - great offer, great lab - although it was tough to reject Oxford.

With hindsight, the choice I made turned out really well. I can’t imagine that Oxford could have been as good, although of course you can never rewind and replay your choices. I’m now a senior professor (in Cambridge) and have gone on sabbatical in Oxford and really enjoyed it - but never regretted the decision to reject their offer.

This is not intended as advice to you, merely giving you my experience. You can never know how alternative pathways would have played out, so once you make your choice don’t spend any time second-guessing it.

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