Good morning! ☕️ It’s August 19th, 2024! 🦧 On this International Orangutan Day, let's take a moment to appreciate our “distant primate cousins”. After all, they’ve mastered the art of hanging out in the treetops while we’re still struggling to get our research off the ground!

Whether you’re swinging through data sets or climbing the academic ladder, remember to take a break and go ape—scientifically speaking, of course 😂

This guide will save you hours on journal hunting ⏰

So, you've written a paper that you're ready to share with the world—now what? The journal submission process can feel like navigating a maze, especially when you're trying to find the perfect match for your work.

But don't worry, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you! Our 2024 guide is packed with 10 essential tools to help you find the right journal for your research—quickly and easily (non-commercial platforms included ☝🏼). Think of it as your go-to resource for avoiding the endless back-and-forth of rejections and getting your paper published where it belongs 😌

Ready to streamline your publishing process? Download the guide now 👇🏼 and get one step closer to sharing your research with the world!

👀 Word to wise: Be cautious of predatory journals that promise quick publication but come with hidden costs and little to no academic credibility. These journals can be a trap for unsuspecting researchers. Make sure to thoroughly vet any journal before submitting your work.

Wanna see how Bradley Allf, an award-winning science communicator, exposed a fraudulent journal by publishing the plot of Breaking Bad and uncovered the terrifying world of “fake science”? Don’t miss this eye-opening talk!

Best job search engines for academic positions in 🇺🇸, 🇨🇦, 🇬🇧 and 🇦🇺

Are you wrapping up your PhD and starting to think about your next step? Maybe you’ve already scrolled through countless job boards, feeling like you’re missing out on the best opportunities. 

“Surely there’s more out there!” you might think. You’re right—and there is.

Indeed, your field of study will dictate where you should focus your job search, but whether you're in the sciences, humanities, or social sciences, there are some solid go-to resources that can make your search a whole lot easier. Here’s the inside scoop on the best places to find academic jobs across the US, Canada, UK and Australia. 

If you want a guide for a different country, drop us a line! 😉 

United States

If you're looking to land a position in the US 🇺🇸, you can't go wrong with the Chronicle of Higher Education. Nearly all full-time faculty positions are posted here, making it a comprehensive resource for job seekers in academia. It’s a one-stop shop, especially for tenure-track roles, though you may also find opportunities for postdoctoral positions and other academic roles.

For more discipline-specific searches, you might want to explore AcademicJobsOnline.org, which is particularly popular in fields like physics and mathematics. Additionally, HERC Jobs (Higher Education Recruitment Consortium) and Indeed are excellent platforms that aggregate job postings across a wide range of academic institutions and disciplines.

Canada

Looking north? Canada 🇨🇦 has some excellent resources tailored for academic job seekers. UniversityAffairs.ca is one of the most comprehensive sites for academic job postings in Canada, featuring roles across various disciplines and institutions. Another site to bookmark is AcademicWork.ca, which specializes in Canadian academic positions and is worth checking regularly.

United Kingdom

For those of you eyeing a position in the UK 🇬🇧, Jobs.ac.uk is the leading academic job board. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking for academic roles across universities and research institutions in the UK. Another useful resource is AcademicKeys, which, while more popular in the US, also lists a significant number of positions in the UK, making it a useful tool for those casting a wide net!

Australia

For those considering a move to Australia 🇦🇺, Seek.com.au is a widely-used job board that, with the right filters, can lead you to academic positions, including postdocs. However, don’t underestimate the power of social media in your job search. Accounts like @Postdocjobsaus often post about opportunities that may not appear on traditional job boards.

👆🏼 But beyond these job boards, remember that targeting specific universities that lead in your field of interest can be a strategic move. Once you’ve identified these institutions, don’t forget to check out the National Labs—they often have a plethora of research openings that may not be as widely advertised!

And here’s a tip that might surprise you: Twitter (X) is becoming an essential tool in the academic job search, particularly for postdoc positions. Many positions are shared directly by faculty members and research institutions on the platform, often bypassing traditional job boards entirely. In fact, some postdoc opportunities are only announced on the social media platform, so staying active and connected there could give you a significant edge 👀.

So, update your CV, polish that cover letter, and dive into these resources—you never know where your next opportunity might be waiting!  ✨

Your grant wasn’t accepted… what now?

You just received a grant rejection letter. Ouch! 🤕

You found a great foundation prospect and did your due diligence. You even asked all the right questions to make sure your organization was a good fit. But still, your proposal was turned down. And with a form rejection letter no less.

Here’s our advice to help you turn that setback into a valuable learning experience and enhance your chances of success in the future! (Spoiler: Step One may give off Mr. Wonderful vibes but it is necessary 😉)

Step one: acknowledge your disappointment

Rejection can sting, and it's important to allow yourself to process these feelings. It’s natural to feel frustrated or disheartened after investing time and effort into a proposal that didn’t succeed. Recognize your feelings, but try not to let them cloud your judgment as you plan your next steps. Remember, rejection is a part of the journey, and even seasoned researchers face it…

However, avoid sending an angry or frustrated response to the grant-making organization. Building and maintaining professional relationships is key, and your response could impact future interactions.

Below is a (good) example of a sample email response to a grant rejection letter.

Step two: understand the reasons for rejection

To improve your chances with future proposals, it’s crucial to understand why your grant proposal was denied. Some common reasons can be:

1️⃣ Funding capacity: Grantmakers have limited funds and may receive more applications than they can support. Your proposal might have been close to receiving funding but ultimately didn’t make the cut.

2️⃣ Alignment with priorities: Your proposal may not have aligned closely enough with the grantmaker’s current priorities. It’s important to ensure that your proposal addresses the grantmaker’s key areas of focus.

3️⃣ Proposal quality: Sometimes, rejections come down to issues with the proposal itself, such as failure to follow guidelines, unclear writing, or a weak program design. Review these aspects critically to identify areas for improvement.

If feedback is available, use it to guide your revisions. Some grantmakers don’t provide feedback, so focus on those that do.

Step three: revise and improve your proposal

With feedback in hand, it’s time to enhance your proposal. You might need to revise your program design or improve the clarity and impact of your writing. If multiple funders have provided similar feedback, it’s a strong indication that changes are needed.

Pay close attention to your metrics and evaluation plans. Ensuring that you can deliver on your goals is crucial for future applications.

Step four: build and maintain relationships

A grantmaker who provides feedback is already invested in your success. Continue to nurture this relationship by:

… sending regular updates or impact reports

… inviting them to relevant events or activities

… sharing potential sponsorship opportunities

… staying informed about their funding priorities and cycles

Even if you’re not encouraged to reapply immediately, maintaining a positive relationship can benefit future proposals.

A grant rejection is not the end. It’s an opportunity to refine your approach and strengthen your proposals. By understanding the reasons for rejection and using feedback constructively, you can enhance your chances of success in future funding endeavors. Keep learning, adapting, and applying, your next grant proposal might just be the one that secures the funding you need 💸

Did you know about the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards?

Heads up, future science communicators and researchers! While the submission period for the 2024 Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications closed back in March, it’s never too early to start preparing for the next round. Here’s what you need to know to get ahead for the 2025 awards.

These prestigious awards celebrate exceptional work in science communication, recognizing those who make complex scientific topics accessible and engaging for the public. With 24 awards totaling $640,000 🔥 the Schmidt Awards are a big deal in the science communication world.

Who can apply?

• 👩🏽‍🔬 Research scientists: Awards are split into categories for graduate students, early-career researchers, and later-career researchers.

• 🧑🏻‍💻 Science journalists: Includes local/regional journalists, early-career journalists, and freelancers.

• 🗣️ Science communicators: Divided into independent and organizational communicators.

👀 Each category features one top award of $40,000 and two $20,000 recognition awards.

Tips for Preparing

1️⃣ Start building your portfolio: Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that makes science accessible. Your work from 2024 could be the star of your 2025 submission!

2️⃣ Keep track of deadlines: The submission period usually opens in early March, so mark your calendar and start preparing your materials ahead of time.

3️⃣ Review past winners: Check out previous awardees to understand what kind of work gets recognized. This can give you valuable insights into what the judges are looking for!

4️⃣ Gather Feedback: Before you submit, get feedback from colleagues or mentors to make sure your application is as strong as possible.

👉🏼 For more details and to stay updated, keep an eye on National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s website.

Get ready to shine in 2025. Your next big opportunity might be just around the corner!

Together with @PHDcomics