NIH proposes critical initiatives to sustain future of U.S. biomedical research

NIH proposes critical initiatives to sustain future of U.S. biomedical research

This includes enhancing training of postdoctoral researchers, exploring increased support for training mechanisms designed to accelerate the development of independent research careers such as the NIH Pathway to Independence Awards (K99/R00), increase the emphasis on ongoing assessments of the biomedical research workforce, including a proposed follow-up study on clinician scientists, as well as to identify and track more comprehensively all graduate students and postdoctoral researchers supported by NIH to provide a sound basis for assessing workforce needs and planning future training activities. More comprehensive career outcomes data also would help to inform prospective graduate students and postdoctoral researchers contemplating careers in biomedical research. To read the full brief, please see below:

Future biomedical researchers: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/dec2012/od-07.htm

Safety survey reveals lab risks

Scientists may have a false sense of security about the safety of their laboratories, according to early results from the first international survey of researchers’ workplace attitudes and practices. Some 86% of the roughly 2,400 scientists who responded said that they believe their labs are safe places to work. Yet just under half had experienced injuries ranging from animal bites to chemical inhalation, and large fractions noted frequent lone working, unreported injuries and insufficient safety training on specific hazards (see ‘A question of safety’). To read more, please see below:

Safety in the laboratory: http://www.nature.com/news/safety-survey-reveals-lab-risks-1.12121

Dr. Sally Rockey comments on future postdoctoral training strategies

Dr. Sally Rockey comments on future postdoctoral training strategies

….,” as co-chair of the working group on the biomedical research workforce, I’m (Dr. Rockey) excited to share how NIH plans to support this critical component of the biomedical research enterprise, and improve the training experience of graduate students and postdocs alike. We intend to launch a program to support innovative approaches that expand and complement existing research training to include science-related career outcomes, and also encourage the adoption of individual development plans for all trainees. NIH plans to increase the funding of awards that encourage independence like the K99/R00 and early independence awards, and increase the initial postdoctoral researcher stipend. NIH also intends to embark on novel ways of improving the trainee experience, such as looking more closely at, and soliciting community feedback on, postdocs’ access to workplace benefits. To learn more about her thoughts, please see below:

Rockey’s thoughts: http://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/2012/12/07/following-up-on-acd-recommendations/

Bordering on Confusion

Bordering on Confusion. By Beryl Lieff Benderly. Science Careers.   
High-skill immigration reform is more complicated and contentious than it looks, an expert conference shows.

Unequal Access to Resources Depresses Women Scientists' Publication Rates, Study Finds

Unequal Access to Resources Depresses Women Scientists' Publication Rates, Study Finds. Dec 17, 2012 Science Careers Blog. 

"Why do women scientists publish less than their male colleagues?   A study appearing in  PLOS ONE  on 12 December suggests an answer: women get a 'lower level of institutional support' from their universities."

NIH Promises to Improve Biomedical Research Training

NIH Promises to Improve Biomedical Research Training  by Jocelyn Kaiser on 7 Dec 2012, Science Insider.
"Reacting to a steep rise in the number of young biomedical scientists seeking scarce academic jobs, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) plans to launch programs to prepare scientists for nonacademic careers, move students through their Ph.D.s faster, and bolster the pay of postdocs."  You can also read the NIH report.

myIDP: What Do You Care About?

myIDP: What Do You Care About?  Science Careers, By Bill Lindstaedt, Philip S. Clifford, Cynthia N. Fuhrmann, Jennifer A. Hobin December 07, 2012.   
This is the fourth article in a series designed to help you create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) using myIDP, a new Web-based career-planning tool created to help graduate students and postdocs in the sciences define and pursue their career goals. To learn more about myIDP and begin the career-planning process, please visit: http://myidp.sciencecareers.org.