Life and Research - Chicago Guides to Academic Life by Paris H Grey & David G Oppenheimer Hardcover

About the Book

"Scientists embarking on a career in bench research need to develop an array of technical skills specific to lab settings. But beyond these skills they also need to learn what it means to work productively in a lab, how to manage their professional development, and how to achieve work-life balance. In this guidebook, an expert lab manager and a long-time principal investigator offer graduate students, postdocs, and other early-career scientists practical advice for developing the professional and personal skills needed to survive and thrive in lab settings. With an emphasis on issues such as healthy relationships, professional behavior, and self-care, the book coaches scientists on managing stress and avoiding burnout, factors that often interfere with the ability to carry out basic research and academic responsibilities. It also shows them how to deploy social and communication skills effectively in particular aspects of lab life, from managing research projects and collaborating with labmates to writing about their work and attending professional conferences. Born out of the authors' social media accounts, most notably @TheLabMentor and @youinthelab, the book extends their platform for advising lab workers at all levels and welcomes early-career researchers into this friendly and supportive community"--

Book Synopsis

Life in a research lab can be daunting, especially for early-career scientists. Personal and professional hurdles abound in bench research, and this book by two seasoned lab professionals is here to help graduate students, postdocs, and staff scientists recognize stumbling blocks and avoid common pitfalls.

Building and maintaining a mentoring network, practicing self-care and having a life outside of the lab, understanding that what works perfectly for a labmate might not work for you--these are just a few of the strategies that lab manager and molecular biologist Paris H. Grey and PI and geneticist David G. Oppenheimer wished they had implemented far sooner in their careers. They also offer practical advice on managing research projects, sharing your work on social media, and attending conferences. Above all, they coach early-career scientists to avoid burnout and make the most of every lab experience to grow and learn.

Review Quotes

"Part survival guide and part pep-talk, Life and Research: An Early-Career Guide for Biomedical Scientists should be included in every welcome package for scientists joining a new lab or research program. Grey and Oppenheimer have created a portable version of the ideal mentor - helpful, honest, and compassionate. I wish I'd had this book ten years ago, as it would have saved me a lot of frustration and loneliness while navigating the confusing world of grad school."--Susanna Harris, Ph.D., Founder and Chair of PhD Balance

Life and Research is a practical guide to surviving academic research as an early career researcher (and beyond). In this book, Grey and Oppenheimer strike a friendly tone while discussing very personal issues like finding the right work-life balance and establishing a network of mentors, but also when focusing on more utilitarian information like travel reimbursements. They are also realistic about the process of research itself - the ups and downs - and they provide practical tips for handling failure in the lab and how to get back on track.

Much of the text focuses on practical matters for new grad students, but the advice is universal. For example, the book often focuses on issues of equity, inclusion, and the hidden curriculum in biomedical research. While this information is important for new researchers, it's also important for new (and established) PIs to consider when creating a healthy and supportive lab environment. They are also honest in advising early career researchers to prioritize career development and exploration from the first years of graduate school. Resources for graduate students are all too often developed to keep researchers on an academic track even as PI positions become ever more scarce. Grey and Oppenheimer steer early career scientists to identify their strengths and pursue relevant training outside of the lab to broaden their skill sets should they decide to pursue non-academic careers.

This book should be required reading for researchers, especially those early in their career.
--Danielle R. Snowflack, Ph.D. Senior Director of Education, Edvotek

Paris Grey and David Oppenheimer are the mentors you never had in graduate school. They will teach you how to carry out scientific research while still living your best life, so you can do high-quality work without risking burnout.
--Jennifer Polk, Ph.D., Principal, FromPhdToLife

About the Author

Paris H. Grey is a writer, molecular biologist, and lab mentor. She has written articles on strategies for early-career researchers in Nature, Lab Manager, and Science.

David G. Oppenheimer is an associate professor of biology at the University of Florida. His research program focuses on the proteins that control cytoskeleton dynamics and how this influences plant cell shape.

Together, they created UndergradInTheLab.com to help researchers navigate the hidden curriculum in STEMM research and to help mentors address emerging issues before small matters turn into big problems. They are also coauthors of Getting In.