ace the academic game: how to get tenure and secure your future 🗝️

Good morning! ☕️ It’s November 27th, 2024! 🛍️ Black Friday is just around the corner, but let’s face it—most PhD candidates are more interested in discounted journal subscriptions than big-screen TVs. If only there were a sale on free time or lab equipment, right? Until then, here’s your weekly dose of knowledge, 100% off as always! 😚

Tenure demystified: how to get tenure and secure your future

Tenure. The “holy grail” of academia 🏆

If you’ve just started your academic journey, you’ve probably heard the term whispered in awe, as if it’s some mythical prize. But what is it, and why does it matter? Let’s break it down:

Tenure is essentially permanent job security in academia. It’s a long-term commitment from your institution that says, “You’re invaluable to us.” With tenure, you won’t be hopping between contracts—it’s indefinite employment. Sounds like a dream, right?

The road to tenure is long (typically six years) and requires excellence in three key areas:

• Research: Publish high-quality work in respected journals, present at conferences, and contribute to advancing your field.

• Teaching: Engage students with innovative methods and show a commitment to learning. Bonus points for glowing evaluations!

• Service: Serve on committees, mentor students, and contribute to your academic community.

Neglect one of these pillars, and you risk tipping the balance 🥴

Here’s, in our opinion, how to play the tenure game strategically:

1️⃣ Start early: Keep track of every achievement, from papers published to committees joined.

👉🏼 Example: As an assistant professor, Dr. Maria began compiling her research accomplishments, teaching evaluations, and service work in a dedicated journal. By the time her tenure review came around, she had a well-organized record of her progress, including a list of successful student mentorships and service on departmental committees.

2️⃣ Prioritise quality over quantity: A few stellar papers will trump a flood of mediocre ones.

👉🏼 Example: Dr. James focused on publishing three high-impact papers in top-tier journals over five years, rather than submitting numerous articles to lesser-known journals. His strategic publications established him as a leading voice in his field, and he was invited to keynote at multiple international conferences.

3️⃣ Network smartly: Build connections with colleagues, mentors, and collaborators who can vouch for you.

👉🏼 Example: Dr. Laura formed close relationships with senior faculty members in her department and collaborated on interdisciplinary research projects. When her tenure review came up, these mentors not only provided strong letters of recommendation but also advocated for her work, making a difference in her evaluation.

4️⃣ Master time management: Balance research, teaching, and service without losing your mind (or your weekends).

👉🏼 Example: Dr. Kevin mapped out a weekly schedule that allotted specific hours for research, teaching prep, and service duties. By setting clear boundaries and delegating where possible (e.g., having teaching assistants manage grading), he was able to meet all his responsibilities without burnout, leaving weekends for rest and personal development.

5️⃣ Seek feedback: Don’t work in a bubble. Use peer input to strengthen your portfolio.

Example: Dr. Sara regularly attended department meetings where she shared drafts of her research papers and discussed her teaching strategies with colleagues. She also sought feedback from her peers before submitting papers for publication, which helped her refine her work and improve its chances of acceptance

Aside from the job security, tenure is a statement. It says you’ve made a lasting impact in your field and are poised to do even more. It’s not just a title—it’s an achievement that defines your academic legacy…

Want a different take on tenure? "Flipping Tenure" 🎥

While the road to tenure can often feel like a well-trodden path of publications, teaching, and service, Tom Rademacher offers a refreshing perspective in his TEDx talk, "Flipping Tenure". He challenges the traditional approach to teacher protections and tenure, urging us to reconsider how we think about supporting great educators.

In his talk, Rademacher flips the conversation from how to remove "bad teachers" to how we can better support and retain the excellent ones. His ideas may not align directly with the tenure game we've laid out, but they offer an important counterpoint and ask us to consider the broader implications of academic and professional stability.

How to write a research paper using Claude
(Writing smarter, not harder)

Writing research papers is a cornerstone of academic work, demanding skill, preparation, and patience. Whether you're a seasoned scholar or tackling your first big project, tools like Claude, powered by Anthropic, can streamline your process, helping you organize ideas and dive into research efficiently. Here’s how Claude can assist you in creating a well-structured research paper without compromising academic integrity 👀

In the rapidly evolving landscape of academic research, artificial intelligence is transforming the way we approach scientific writing. Gone are the days of struggling alone with complex manuscripts. Now, researchers have powerful AI tools that can serve as intelligent writing partners, offering guidance, structure, and creative insights.

Imagine having an experienced research mentor available 24/7 to help you craft your academic paper. That's precisely what modern AI tools like Claude can do. The magic begins with a strategic approach to using these technologies. Yes, you need that.

Practical prompt examples 👇🏼

To help you get started, here are some powerful prompts we've found particularly effective —try them yourself and let us know how you get on!:

Introduction development prompt:

I am an early career researcher working on [your research topic]. My research question explores [specific question]. The aim of this article is to [research aim]. Could you help me develop a comprehensive outline for an academic introduction that covers the key context, significance, and scholarly contributions of this research?

Methods section prompt:

I conducted a qualitative study interviewing [number] [type of participants] about [research topic]. I used [specific methodology, e.g., Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis]. Please help me create a systematic and rigorous description of my research methodology, including details about participant selection, data collection, and analysis process.

Discussion section prompt:

My research findings revealed three key themes: [list themes]. I'd like to explore how these findings connect to existing literature in [your field]. Could you help me draft an outline that critically analyzes these themes, discusses their implications, and situates them within the broader scholarly conversation?

Conclusion crafting prompt:

Summarize the key findings of our research on [topic], highlighting the most significant insights. Provide a concise overview of the study's contributions and suggest meaningful implications for [specific professional or academic community

These prompts are just the beginning. As we said, the most successful researchers will learn to use these tools strategically. Experiment with different phrasings, be specific about your context, and always maintain your unique research voice. Think of AI as a powerful research assistant that can help brainstorm, structure, and refine your ideas - but never as a substitute for your own scholarly insight.

As we embrace these new technologies, ethical considerations remain paramount. AI can help with structural guidance, explore connections between ideas, and provide alternative perspectives. However, the intellectual rigor and original thinking must always come from the researcher!

We recommend a careful approach: use AI to generate initial drafts, explore complex ideas, and provide structural support. But always review, edit, and personalize the content. The goal is to work more efficiently, dive deeper into our research, and ultimately focus on the core scientific contributions that make our work meaningful...

🤠 Our tips for AI-assisted writing:

• Be as specific as possible in your prompts

• Provide clear context about your research

• Use AI for brainstorming and structure

• Always critically review AI-generated content

• Maintain your unique scholarly voice

Behind the scenes: a day in the life on a research assistant

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in a research lab?

Does it involve eccentric experiments driven by a Victor Frankenstein-like scientist with questionable ambitions?

Thankfully, no—at least, we hope not 🙃

Today, we shine a light on the humble yet indispensable research assistant. These “behind-the-scenes heroes” play a vital role in advancing discoveries, often without receiving the recognition they deserve. From conducting experiments to analyzing data, research assistants are the unsung champions of the scientific community…

At its core, a RA supports a senior researcher (often called a “research fellow”) or a research team with tasks related to a specific project. Many of their responsibilities revolve around handling and processing data, but the role is far from limited to number-crunching. Research assistants typically work within universities or private organizations, and these positions are often filled by postgraduate students seeking to gain valuable experience while earning an income.

But, what better way to understand the life of a research assistant than through their own words?

Meet Britney (@brialeixx), a dedicated research assistant in the Department of Physiology. From early morning emails to late-day lab cleanups, Britney takes us through her journey of mastering cell culture, tackling dissection, and navigating the unpredictable challenges of lab work. Let’s dive into her world—where science meets trial and error, and every day is a step toward discovery…

🥹 Morning prep: emails, iceboxes, and labels galore

The day kicks off with emails (of course), followed by meticulous lab prep. Reagents, ice boxes, and surgical tools are laid out, with everything labeled meticulously—both tube and lid. Lessons from past mistakes shine through here: "Label everything" is the motto, after a previous scramble to find unprepared tubes.

With antibiotics added and reagents mixed, it’s time to head to the animal facility. But first, let’s appreciate the value of being prepared: “I’m making my life easier later.”

😱 The struggle of timing (and heat)

In full PPE, our assistant arrives at the facility only to discover the dissection room is booked until noon—two hours to kill. The walk back to the lab is hot, the icebox leaks, but there's a silver lining: lunchtime. Yes, it's ramen again, but hey, don’t judge—coincidences happen.

🤓 Dissection, data, and a dose of guesswork

Back at the facility, dissection begins—a nerve-wracking experience for someone still mastering anatomy. Extracting the duodenum involves a mix of determination and guesswork. As the specimen is meticulously cleaned, a mix of scientific precision and inner monologue keeps things moving.

In between steps, data from another study is entered into Excel. It's a reminder of the multitasking nature of this role, juggling multiple studies and tasks throughout the day.

😮‍💨 The experiment that (almost) failed

The highlight—or lowlight—of the day comes when cell counting reveals only a handful of viable cells. Despite multiple centrifuge spins and recalibrations, the results are sparse. A stark contrast to a previous attempt brimming with cells. Disappointment looms, but science is about perseverance.

Even with just three cultured cells at the end, there’s a sense of triumph. Those three cells are a testament to growth—literally and figuratively.

Wrapping Up: Lessons Learned

After hours of lab work, the day ends with cleaning and reflections. It’s not always about perfect results; it’s about learning, improving, and finding joy in small wins.

For research assistants everywhere: here’s to embracing the ups and downs, and maybe a bowl of ramen to get through it all.

💡 Want to more hear real-life stories from research assistants? Tune in to The Research Beat podcast for advice, experiences, and insights! Also, you can read a full article on Audemic’s blog.

How to write the best abstract for any research paper (and how not to 😅)

Your abstract is a make-or-break factor for your research paper.

It determines whether your work is worth considering for publication and, later, whether it captures the interest of your target audience. Journal editors and readers alike use your abstract to decide if they’ll dive into your research.

Crafting a stellar abstract may not guarantee your work gets noticed, read, and cited, but it certainly brings you closer to that goal.

To help you achieve that, here’s a guide on writing impactful abstracts, with examples of both good and poor ones to illustrate what works—and what doesn’t.

An abstract is a concise summary (100–200 words, depending on journal guidelines) that encapsulates your research. Though it appears at the beginning of your paper, it should be written last to reflect the entirety of your study.

Importantly, abstracts don’t just inform readers; they also guide search engines in indexing your work, making it discoverable to a broader audience.

Features of a good Abstract

1️⃣ Engages Readers: Within ~200 words, it should grab attention and offer the core essence of the research.

2️⃣ Follows Journal Guidelines: Journals may prefer a single paragraph or structured subsections like:

• Objective

• Methods and Results

• Conclusion

3️⃣ Includes Key Elements:

• Context: Why the research matters.

• Purpose: The problem being addressed.

• Methodology: How the study was conducted.

• Results: Key findings.

• Implications: The broader relevance of your work.

These elements should be presented logically and succinctly.

👍🏼 Examples of good abstracts

Biotechnology research paper:

• Strengths: Provides context, states the objective clearly, and emphasizes significant findings (e.g., hydrogen production efficiency). Methodology is hinted at without unnecessary detail, maintaining the reader's curiosity.

Social Psychology article

• Strengths: Smooth flow from topic introduction to addressing the problem, stating objectives, summarizing methodology, and highlighting results. A concise conclusion ties it all together!

Humanities Study

• Strengths: Starts with the objective, followed by background and a seamless transition to methodology, results, and implications. The clear structure ensures readability.

Examples of Poor Abstracts

1. Overly Generic and Disorganized:

   • Begins with past-tense phrasing ("The aim was…") instead of present tense.

   • Fails to highlight key achievements, and sentences feel like loosely compiled points.

1. Unfocused and Lengthy:

   • Background is unnecessarily stretched, dominating the abstract without addressing the study’s purpose, methodology, or results.

   • Ends by restating the objective rather than drawing a conclusion.

Writing an effective abstract requires precision, clarity, and adherence to structure. A good abstract not only serves as the gateway to your research but also ensures it gets the attention it deserves. Regardless of your field, the core structure remains the same.

Need help fine-tuning your abstract? Professional scientific writers can provide expert guidance to make your paper publication-ready. Anna Clemens (@scientistswrite) is one 💙

Something funny 🤪