Bone Abstracts

The first step to getting started as a post-doc is finding an appealing post-doc position. Be proactive and begin the search and application process early. One of the most critical aspects to think about is the research area. It should be something that excites you and something where you can imagine to work in for the next couple of years. Once you have decided on a research area, you can start thinking about choosing an adviser. The adviser has great power to help build a career so it is advisable to meet the professor in person to find out whether both of your expectations are compatible. Also, you can talk to current and former post-docs who have worked with that investigator to obtain insider experiences on the quality of mentoring and established lab structures. Most post-docs find their positions through personal contacts. Talk to advisers, friends, and contacts from professional meetings. However, since you may wish to apply to more than one position, vacant positions may also be found at university websites or science journals. Finally, take your time to prepare a well-written and nicely organized application and allow for enough time to obtain letter of references and other official documents.

After finding a post-doc position and getting settled possibly in a new country, organize your thoughts on the project in such a way that you can set specific, achievable short-term and long-term aims. To be clear on what experiments you plan, a good knowledge of the scientific background is required. So, before you start planning the experiments, first get acquainted with your (new) research field. Try to think in figures right from the start and be focused on which experiments to perform to obtain the desired results. In research, you are required to have a great deal of resilience. If experiments do not work out the first time, do not frustrate and try again. Sometimes, it is necessary to broaden your horizon and try other things. Also talking to other scientists may help in overcoming particular challenges or lead to new collaborations for future projects. Finally, maintaining a healthy work/life balance will allow you to work more efficiently and keep you mentally and physically healthy. In conclusion, to make your time as a post-doc successful and enjoyable, set aims, work in an organized fashion, and maintain a good work/life balance.