Science & Research

When deciding what research direction or project to pursue, what signals do you personally use to judge future impact? Citation trends, industry demand, policy direction, technical feasibility, mentor… more

How do you feel about the continued return to office moves that companies are doing? Many of these positions have been remote for almost 6 years now… it’s obviously not because of performance

Why does being good at your job just get you more work? I keep getting assigned extra studies because I am reliable. Pay and title have not changed. How do you stop being rewarded with more responsibi… more

I am exhausted in a slow quiet way. I manage six active studies and handle compliance for $73K and raises have barely changed in three years. Each year the workload increases. Is this role ever suppos… more

Does anyone live near extended family? And if so how often are you seeing them?

Do you think you’ve reached your definition of success? I definitely am not where I thought I was but I am successful overall.

Just got another snow storm. It’s nice but I’ve got a project in production sooo I may have to drive in this nonsense. Anyone else feel the double edged sword of winter weather? I miss being a kid so … more

Has there been something that inspired you or made you excited at work lately? Mine is the possibility of my job coming out of a hiring freeze so I’m less burnt out.

What are y’all researching right now? We are doing research on trauma during child birth and it’s so interesting trying to not only understand trauma but try to define it.

TGIF! I am on the verge of burnout already. How soon do you usually take off for your vacation during the year? My first one is in February and I am so excited.

For those who moved out of bench/lab research into adjacent roles (scientific communications, applications, sales, policy, data science, teaching, etc.): which skills transferred best, and which gaps … more

How are things politically at your job? I noticed a lot of people called out sick today cause of protests

What do you do when your team has a lot of great research ideas, but nothing is moving forward to actually put those ideas on paper and make them happen? How would you approach this situation as a tea… more

When you are asked to do you annual review and goal setting do you put down a clear plan or just stick to general points? I usually stay general since I’ve had so many shifts in projects mid year in t… more

Why do research teams pay so much less for technical roles? I build models used in publications and grant renewals, but offers are coming in at $95K to $105K. The same skills pay far more outside rese… more

Is publishing still worth it once you move to industry? I am six years post PhD, making $135K, and my manager says papers are optional and not a requirement for promotions. Writing after work cuts int… more

How much time are you spending these days gaining new skills for your resume? What I mean is like a six sigma green belt or another certification.

Why does everyone assume you have a clear plan by now? I am in my fifth year and still torn between academia and industry. Both paths feel risky in different ways. How did you make this decision?

I spend more time writing grants than doing actual research. The pressure to secure funding never lets up. How do people make this sustainable long term?

How long do you stay in a role that looks good on paper but feels stalled? I am in year three of a postdoc with solid output but no clear next step. Publications move slowly and funding is uncertain. … more

What do you think the most important skill is for new grads today? When I graduated it felt like being able to speak well was the most important skill. I don’t even mean present well, just being able … more

Can anybody share with me how they started a career in clinical research? I have been applying to jobs for well over a year and have received little to no feedback. I believe I have the perfect educa… more

👀 What are some red flags that a company is a nightmare to work for that you can spot during the interview process?

How is everyone doing with the storm?? If your area is getting hit are you still going to the office or are you able to stay home? We are still needing to be there.

Feeling depressed. I am trying to get into this particular Pharma company but no luck been applying for past 6-8 months .. I don't know what to do. Please help or guide?
I am thinking about career … more

What is the longest time period you have waited to be hired? Mint is 3 months and I really thought I didn’t get the job

Has anyone found certifications or things of that nature, usually from a reputable course seller, helpful in their scientific career?

When planning your next move do you optimize for title pay or skills? I could take a role with a higher title and a 20K bump but the work would be narrower. Staying would mean better skills but no com… more

Hope everyone is staying safe out there! Can’t remember the last time this much of the US was facing a blizzard all at once.

How's everyone faring in this storm? We're getting more ice than anything.

I’ve got an interview for a promotion tomorrow… what questions should I anticipate being asked? Any advice is welcome!

Just got three texts a call and several emails about the winter storm and work. Is your work also giving tons of plans for the weather?

Recently saw a clip on LinkedIn of someone saying that if you want a job in industry right after your PhD you have to start networking in year 2…seemed a bit extreme to me but any thoughts on this? Th… more

Are y’all working on the weekends? I find myself sometimes having to. Not always because it’s needed but because if I spend even just an hour it can help sort my whole week.

This was honestly the longest short week ever. Seems to be a never ending trend along with burnout. How are you feeling today compared to usual?

I’m still fighting back and forth with the quality team at my work. These are also the people who are telling me how critical the timeline is. All I keep thinking is “if you need to meet the timeline why no… more

My manager will not make decisions. Once its up to them, everything slows down and priorities change constantly. Their feedback is painfully vague. How do I work around a bad boss?

Has anyone ever cursed or said something super unprofessional during a meeting? It just happened and the speaker glossed over it but I saw a lot of eyes get bigger.

Does anyone trust leadership when they say layoffs are not coming? Hiring is frozen and projects keep getting cut. Now strong performersare leaving like they know something and morale dropped fast. Sh… more

Does anyone travel for work anymore? We used to go to conferences at least twice a year but we have not been back recently.