A CAREER IN RESEARCH IS A BALANCING ACT

A career in research is a fine balancing act, but how does a person cultivate a career in research? According to Dr Shuné Oliver from the NICD, one of the starting points is through a Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD degree, a qualification that usually sets the tone for an individual’s research career. Once attained, many newly graduated PhD students feel lost, even before they are out of the starting blocks, begging the question, “what now?” The National Research Foundation (NRF) has a mandate to increase the number of PhDs that South Africa produces and for many emerging researchers, navigating these waters can often feel like a rite of passage into a secret society. Although Universities facilitate the completion of the PhD, establishing the way forward post-graduation is tricky. Here are some practical tips to consider: ?

Get going: If you are reading this, you are most likely employed by the NICD. This means that one of the biggest hurdles to an academic career has been cleared, namely placement. Once you have a placement it is important to think strategically about your research career and this is where the first piece of advice comes in: you have to plan. Think about your five-year plan, what your key research interest is, and most importantly, how you will balance life, work, research and possibly teaching?

Get published: Publications are regarded as academic currency, and getting published might be a challenge at first. However, once you have recovered from the hard work put into attaining your PhD degree, you should be mindful that the absence of publications means you are less likely to be funded and offered other academic opportunities. Without funding it is unlikely that you will be able to generate novel data, so until then be strategic and use this opportunity to expand your network by getting involved in projects, with the prospect of publishing. With the backing of your line manager, ensure that you understand the process of selecting an appropriate journal, and that funding is available to pay for your publication. It is also beneficial to be findable by other scientists, and showcasing your work on the likes of Google Scholar, Web of Science ID and Orcid ID is the best way to achieve this.

Get funded: Funding attracts funding, and it is immensely liberating to the budding scientist. Emergent scientists at the NICD should consider K-funding, a unique opportunity to not only obtain initial funding, but to also manage a grant. Excellent opportunities exist at the National Health Laboratory Service Research Trust Development Grant and the NRF Thuthuka Programme. Independent funding makes it easier to get published and although the funding can initially be relatively small, the skills you will gain from managing your grant are invaluable.

Get involved: Academic citizenship is a critical part of your academic career, where you can give back to the community by joining the local academic society and through peer reviews. Publons provide useful guidance on how to review and is a great way to get recognition and expand your portfolio.

Get talking: Science engagement is not everyone’s favourite part of the scientific process. Yet, if you have applied for funding, you have to embrace the ever-growing application section of science engagement. Communicating your science to the public means that you will have to develop a deep understanding of your work. And although emerging scientists are unlikely to be invited to speak to the media, PhD graduates and students alike can contribute to The Conversation, an excellent forum to share your research with the public.

Although a successful career in research is a bit of a balancing act, this journey promises to be one of the most intellectually stimulating and rewarding endeavours you will ever pursue.