Government Research

Ex Lab
Junkie

The Kitchen Wars - At Work

As I write this, dishes are piled high in the sink, almost falling on the floor, but I refuse to clean up the mess. I am mad enough to spit… yes, spit! Lazy husband? No. Distracted kids? No. Dysfunctional work-place family? In the wise words of Samuel L. Jackson — “Oh, hell yeah!” At w...


Wenny
Lin

Competitive funding opportunities as a post-doc at NCI

In grad school, I thought that writing grants was essential only in an academic career. Having read many job announcements since graduation, I’ve realized that the ability to write fundable grant applications is a skill coveted not just in academics, but also in non-profit organizations, profe...


Wenny
Lin

Have no fear: Grant writing is here too

I once heard from a professor that post-docs at the NIH have no opportunities to write grants, and therefore, they don’t have a competitive edge in the academic market. However, as a current post-doc at the NIH, not only have I just written a grant to compete for research funding, I even took ...


Christie
Canaria

What does a scientist look like?

Today is my birthday! It's really just another day. I don't feel older than I did yesterday. I don't look older than I did yesterday. Sometimes, though, I wonder how work would feel if I visibly aged - just a little - overnight. For the most part, I consider myself lucky in the aging process....


Ex Lab
Junkie

How to Sabotage Your Promotion in Ten Easy Steps

After two-and-a-half years in my current government position, I have been offered and accepted higher-level acting positions, filled in temporary departmental gaps, and received the accompanying higher-level pay. Others at work, with similar or more job experience, have not been given the same...


Wenny
Lin

Political activities as a post-doc in the government

With the November elections coming up, I began thinking about how “political” you can get while doing a post-doc in the government. In grad school, I was surrounded by classmates who carpooled to New Hampshire on the weekends to do door-to-door campaigning for Obama. I have many friends who ...


Christie
Canaria

Help Me Help You on the Job Hunt

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be taking on another little “project” at work. This one won’t involve pipettes, chemicals, or the lab bench. Instead, it’ll be me, my reading glasses, a few labmates, and piles of resumes (and CVs). A great co-worker recently left the lab for greener pastu...


Wenny
Lin

Five cons for doing a post-doc in the government

My previous post included five good reasons for doing a post-doc in the government. It seems only fair that I now list five “cons”: Approval is needed from the ethics office. Whether paid or unpaid, activities outside your post-doc must be approved by the ethics office at your governmen...


Ex Lab
Junkie

University and Class Distinctions (or The Money Gap)

My parents and older siblings are first generation immigrants. I am the first natural-born Canadian in my family. I grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood in a small bungalow. My parents would be considered uneducated, but I learned my most valuable lessons from them: Don’t pre-judge people. ...


Ex Lab
Junkie

My ‘Team-Building’ Rant

Let me start by saying I love my job. I really do, but I have been at my current job for less than four years, and I already cringe at the mere mention of team building exercises. Those in management, or rather consultants, advise us that team building exercises will foster and encourage a team ...