you better bookmark this one before you start writing... 😬

Good morning! ☕️ It’s June 10th, 2024, and it's been only a few days since NVIDIA overtook Apple to become the world's second-most valuable company 🔥 

But NVIDIA's journey to the top wasn't always smooth…

Founded in 1993, its first chip in 1995 was a $10 million failure, forcing layoffs of half its workforce. Yet, in 1997, the RIVA 128 became a breakthrough, selling a million units in four months. This story reminds us that perseverance through setbacks leads to success. As researchers, you will face obstacles, but stay resilient. Your hard work and innovation will eventually pay off 💪🏼

If you want to work as a researcher at NVIDIA keep reading because they are looking for eleven! 👀

Few things strike more fear in academics than the accursed research paper 💀

Luckily there’s a secret to help you get through them: don’t complicate the process. As long as you know how to write a research paper properly, you’ll find they’re not so bad… or at least less painful!

This hour-glass diagram breaks down the paper's basic structure into clear sections and provides examples of phrases to connect your ideas. Use this guide to stay organized and avoid overcomplicating your work, making your writing more efficient and effective. Whether you're new to research papers or experienced, this tool will help you create a coherent and well-structured paper 😉

As with everything in life, there are different ways to write a paper, simply choose the one that best suits you. After all, you’re Hemingway and this is your masterpiece 😏 

If the mind maps above are not sufficient… we could not close this section without bringing you this guide on how to write a research paper in 40 steps. The old hits never go out of style and this step-by-step guide from Rules of thumb for writing research articles is a must-have to keep handy! 👀

Five ways simple language improves scientific manuscripts 🔥

A few weeks ago Leiden University announced they are introducing ‘lay talk’.

PhD ceremonies at Leiden University will be much easier for family, friends and other non-specialist audience members to follow after the summer. Its doctorate board have decided that as of 1 September, all PhD candidates will begin their PhD defense with a lay talk. Before the examining committee fires away with its questions, the PhD candidate has ten minutes to explain in plain language what their dissertation was about and what the results mean for science and society. Doesn't sound like a bad idea...

Actually, during a PhD the power of writing in plain English tends to be underestimated.

Sometimes it's all about clarity, simple language, and being to the point.

Here you have 5 features of plain English that any researcher -and anyone really- can use:

1️⃣ No unnecessary words: Plain English is all about efficiency and clarity. Eliminating unnecessary words ensures that your message is direct and to the point, making it easier for readers to understand. By avoiding redundant phrases and filler words, you can convey complex ideas more effectively. For researchers, this practice not only enhances the readability of their work but also demonstrates respect for their audience’s time and attention.

2️⃣ Short sentences: Using short sentences in your writing helps break down complex information into manageable chunks. This is particularly important in academic writing, where dense and lengthy sentences can obscure the main points. Short sentences improve readability and make it easier for readers to follow your argument. They also reduce the cognitive load on your audience, allowing them to grasp the essence of your research more quickly and accurately.

3️⃣ Good punctuation: Proper punctuation is essential in guiding readers through your text and clarifying the structure of your sentences. Commas, periods, and other punctuation marks act as signposts, helping to separate ideas and indicate pauses. For researchers, mastering punctuation is crucial in ensuring that their findings are communicated clearly and professionally. It prevents misunderstandings and keeps the reader engaged by providing a smooth reading experience.

4️⃣ Familiar words: Using familiar words makes your writing accessible to a broader audience. Avoiding jargon and technical terms, unless absolutely necessary, allows non-specialists to engage with your work. For PhD candidates, this is particularly relevant when explaining their research to a lay audience during their defense. Familiar words bridge the gap between experts and the general public, fostering a better understanding of the significance and implications of their research.

5️⃣ Active voice instead of passive voice: Writing in the active voice makes your sentences more dynamic and easier to read. It places the subject at the forefront, clearly indicating who is performing the action. For example, "The researcher conducted the experiment" is more straightforward than "The experiment was conducted by the researcher." Active voice not only clarifies the action but also adds vigor to your writing, making your arguments more compelling and direct.

📢 Interested in science communication? Take a look at these 5 ways to take your research communication to the next level 😏

Scholarships you can apply to in 2024-2025 🫰🏽
(given the hype of our previous newsletter on PhD funding in the US)

🇺🇸 ACI foundation scholarship: Covers educational stipend for undergraduate, masters, PhD & post-doctoral studies.

Amount: $10,000-$15,000 in total
⏳ Deadline: July 1, 2024 ⏳

🇺🇸 IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship: Covers tuition and living expenses for PhD in Mathematics.

Amount: $10,000 per year
Learn more here

🇺🇸 Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program: For PhD in Developmental research.

Amount: $44,888 in total
Learn more here

🇺🇸 Facebook PhD Scholarship: Covers tuition and living expenses for PhD.

Amount: $42,000 in total
Learn more here

🇯🇵 MEXT Scholarship: Covers tuition, accommodation, monthly living allowance, and round-trip airfare for various levels of study including PhD.

Amount: ¥143,000-145,000 per month
Learn more here

🇨🇳 Harbin Institute of Technology, Chinese Government Scholarship: For Master’s & PhD. Covers tuition, living expenses & accommodation.

Amount: CNY3,000 per month for Master's degree students and CNY3,500 per month for Doctoral degree students.
Learn more here

🇨🇳 Nankai University Scholarships: For Masters and PhD studies, covering various subjects for international students.

Amount: varies among their 6 grants.
Learn more here

🇬🇧 Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships: For PhD research at the University in the 2024-2025 academic session.

Amount: €18,622
Learn more here

🇭🇺 University of Pecs Hungary Government Scholarships: For Bachelor’s, Master’s & PhD. It covers tuition, living Expenses, accommodation & medical insurance.

Amount: varies for BA/BSc, MA/ MSc and doctoral candidates
Learn more here

🇭🇺 University of Debrecen Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarships: Free tuition & monthly grants for Bachelor’s, Master’s & PhD.

Amount: HUF 140,000 for the 1st phase of your education (for 4 semesters) and HUF 180,000 for the second phase (4 semesters).
Learn more here

🌎 Graduate Research On Worldwide Challenges, GROW PhD Program: Doctoral Candidates will need to demonstrate a strong connection with the African contintent and/or an understanding of the context of Low and Middle Income settings.

Amount: $100,000 loan
Learn more here

Calling all PhDs in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and related fields! NVIDIA is looking for researchers 👋🏻 👋🏻

💼 Senior Research Scientist, Multimodal Foundation Models and Robotics

💼 Research Scientist, Circuits

💼 Applied Deep Learning Research Scientist, Sparsity

💼 Applied Deep Learning Research Scientist, Numerics and Systems Performance

💼 Research Scientist, Video GenAI and Embodied AI - New College Grad 2024

💼 Senior Applied Research Scientist, Generative AI

💼 Research Scientist, Deep Learning and Computer Vision

💼 Research Scientist, Efficient Deep Learning - New College Grad 2024

💼 Senior Research Scientist, System Software and I/O Architecture

💼 Senior Research Scientist, Fundamental Generative AI

💼 Research Scientist - Design Automation

🫢 Spoiler! Don't miss our next newsletter because we will tell you which are the best sources to find a job in academia, country by country! (for newcomers, you can subscribe here)

Did you hear about Octopus? 🐙

Octopus is rethinking the way we publish research. Designed to foster a culture of collaboration and transparency in the open research landscape, researchers can publish their work in full detail, for free, and without editorial gatekeepers 🔓

Okay, but how does it work?

The platform breaks down the research process into eight smaller publications and every step is shared openly, from the initial research problem to interpretation and real world application. These smaller publications allow for a thorough account of the work and meaningful author groups, giving fair recognition to specialists. Each publication is linked to another, creating branching chains of research, allowing researchers to contribute to, and build upon existing work. Hard to imagine? Here’s an example chain.

Recent research from the University of Bristol finds the existing research culture disincentives sharing research without an interesting “story”. The report also highlights the fear of being ‘scooped’ and researchers’ unmet need for meaningful feedback, particularly early on in the process. It recognises open research publishing platforms as an important tool for change.