name: inverse layout: true countIncrementalSlides: false class: center, middle, inverse --- # Becoming a Researcher ## *or:* Subjective Advice on Going from PhD to Postdoc (and Beyond) .em[9/9/2016] Johan Rosenkilde --- layout: false ## My Story .slide[ .long-list[ * .em[1984]: When it all started * .em[1996]: "I want to be an .em[Archaeologist]" * .em[2003]: After high school: Math, CS or .em[Art school]? * .em[2004]: "Mathematics and Technology" at DTU * .em[2005]: Switched to "Software Technology" at DTU * .em[2009]: Switched back at end of Master's * .em[2010-2013]: PhD in Math at DTU .very-long-list[ - .em[2012]: 5 months at Inria, France - .em[Throughout]: "I'll go to industry afterwards" ] * .em[2013-2014]: Post-doc at Ulm University, Germany * .em[2014-2015]: Post-doc at Inria, France * .em[sep 2015 - ]: Assistant Professor at DTU ] ] --- class: middle, center, inverse # Part 1: Do you really want to stay in Academia?  --- ## Working in Academia .strut[ ] .column2-1[ .em[Cons] .very-long-list[ * First years very .em[uncertain] .phantom[xxxxxx] * Few .em[work places] - you might have to go abroad * .em[No set goals] and frame for success * Highly .em[competitive] .phantom[xxx xxx xxx] * Few people .em[care about or understands] your work * Lower .em[salary] and fewer .em[perks] ] ] .column2-2[ .em[Pros] .very-long-list[ * Freedom to define your research domain * Exciting opportunities and colleagues .em[worldwide] * Define .em[your own goals] and challenges * Work with .em[extremely talented people] * Contributing to the .em[totality of human knowledge] * Flexible .em[work hours] and .em[prioritisation] ] ] --- class: middle, center # Start thinking .em[NOW!] .pic-300[  ] ### (it's fine to change your mind later) --- ## The .em[Worst] Scenario .strut[ ] .slide[ 1. Postponing: "I'm concentrating on my thesis" 1. Just before hand-in: Random postdoc offer 1. Accept because it's easier to relate to than Industry .equal-list[ * You have an unproductive, miserable postdoc year ] ] .center[.footer[ .strut[ ] ### This decision is more important than chapter-quotes for your thesis! ]] --- class: middle, center, inverse # Part 2: Getting a Post-doc --- # Networking is .em[Key] .slide[ * Be a .em[Nice] Person! * At Conferences/Workshops: * .em[Don't work] on slides or paper at conferences * .em[Evenings] are as important as day-time activity * .em[Ask] questions at and after talks * If you're timid: .em[push your comfort zone]! * .em[Discuss] with invited guests * Have .em[interests outside] your research topic * Your Adviser should .em[actively] network with you ] .region-upper-right[ .pic-150[  ] ] --- class: middle, center # Being Friendly made my PhD .pic-300[  ] --- class: middle, center # ... and landed me my first Post-doc .pic-300[  ] --- ## Go Abroad! .slide[ * Is almost .em[mandatory] * Is very good for your .em[career] * Greatly increases .em[available positions] * .em[Get away] from your adviser * Is .em[not as bad] as you might fear .long-list[ * Week-long stays often possible * Video-chat etc. * Being in a new environment is invigorating ] ] .region-upper-right[ .pic-250[  ] ] --- ## Applying .slide[ * I first got .em[8 rejections] * But when it rained, it poured * Where to apply: .em[Networking]! .em[Interests]! * Write every application .em[with care] (but reuse shamelessly) .pic-250[  ] ] --- ## $\Phi$: PhD $\mapsto$ Post-doc .slide[ * .em[Broaden] your interests and expertise * Think about .em[long-term research area] * No Adviser: .em[use senior colleagues] in your new group ] .center[ .pic-250[  ]] --- class: middle, center, inverse # Part 3: Beyond the Post-docs --- class: middle, center # You're a .em[1-Man] Company! .pic-300[  ] --- ## Company Advertisement * .em[Nice webpage] .long-list[ * Good photo * CV * Publication list * Don't host at .em[www.dtu.dk] ] .region-center-right[ .pic-300[  ]] * .em[Be Found] .long-list[ * arXiv * Google Scholar * MathSciNet * ResearchGate * University web page ] --- ## Company Product .slide[ * Appropriate .em[research breadth] * .em[Strategy] * What's hot? * Applicability * In your network? * Exists at target university? * Intersections of your interests? * What .em[could you] be passionate about? ] --- class: middle, center .pic-500[  ] --- class: middle, center .pic-500[  ] --- ## Business Partners .slide[ * .em[Seek out] people at conferences * .em[Invite yourself] to visit someone * Anecdote: my cooperation in Canada .pic-250[  ] ] --- class: middle, center # Tenure (track) .pic-400[  ] --- ## What Gets Me the Job .slide[ * .em[Good] publications * Many .em[coauthors] -- also .em[sole-author] paper * .em[Divergence] since PhD * Teaching is .em[valued] .long-list[ * Demonstrated ability is .em[sufficient] * .em[Teaching philosophy] ] * Research Plan .long-list[ * .em[Diverge] from PhD * Appropriate Breadth ] ] --- # Summary .slide[ .strut[] .em[1.] Think about your career .strut[] .em[2.] Network! Network! Network! .strut[] .em[3.] After PhD $\rightarrow$ Expand research area .strut[] .pic-250[  ] ]