Early Career Research
Anne Harvey
Content: Courtesy of
Professor Alan Johnson – Research Management Services International Pty Ltd
Dr Joseph Bevitt – Secretary – Royal Australian Chemistry Institute NSW
The Research Landscape
As a researcher, you have unprecedented access to:
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Information
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Analysis tools
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Collaborative Networks
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Facilities
But at the same time:
Increased competition for funding opportunities
The result:
Without mentoring and guidance, you are at greater risk of reduced productivity
and unnecessary career detours.
PREPARE: PLAN YOUR CAREER!
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A Guide to Early Career Research
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Career Planning
Selecting a Research Discipline Area
Selecting a Supervisor
Selecting a Mentor
Research Collaboration
Networking
Ethics
Choose Your Publishing, Style, Format
Where to Publish
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A Guide to Early Career Research
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Preparing a Grant Funding Application
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Collaboration with Industry and Academia
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Attending Conferences
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Society Memberships
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Selling Your Accomplishments
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Curriculum Vitae
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Applying for Fellowships
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Applying for a Job or Promotion
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Planning Your Career
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What are your goals?
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Where do you want to be in 5, 10, 15 years time?
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Who do you want to work for?
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Which field of research will you work in?
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Planning Your Career
Be realistic,
optimistic
and ambitious
By developing a plan, you have a means of defining your goals and measuring your success
Work smarter, not harder
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Selecting a Discipline Area
Discipline areas evolve.
Your original reasons for studying within a certain field may no longer apply.
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What are you passionate about?
What are the future prospects in your field of research?
Will opportunities and resources be available to you in 5 – 10 years?
Assess what is likely to happen in 5 – 10 years.
Don’t become restricted by what you have studied so far.
Expand your research career (into related areas?)
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Research Categories
Research is divided into three broad research types:
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Pure basic research - experimental and theoretical work often called
fundamental or “blue sky” research, “knowledge for knowledge’s sake.”
2.
Strategic basic research - experimental and theoretical, but often
undertaken to acquire new knowledge and lead to useful discoveries or
solving practical problems.
3.
Applied research - original work to perhaps determine new ways of
achieving specific objectives or developing new techniques.
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Know Your Research Agenda
Energy
Food
Future Cities
Human Health
Lifestyle & Recreation
Raw Materials &
Feedstocks
Water & Air
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Be Informed
www.researchtrends.com
www.2collab.com
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Selecting a Supervisor
Supervisors aren’t just for students.
Seek the assistance, guidance and
energy of senior researchers
Inform them of your goals, keep them
informed and learn from their
management style.
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Selecting a Mentor
Free (not necessarily gratis) and open,
but critical advice.
A mentor does not have to be in the same field of
research as you or have the same experience.
"Leaders don't force people to follow
- they invite them on a journey."
Charles Lauer
A mentor should be knowledgeable about the
broader research environment.
And be able to provide general, personal career
advice and suggestions.
Executive and Business coaching and mentoring
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Research Collaboration and Networking
Research Collaboration should be mutually
beneficial. It can provide access to:
New tools
Information
Skills
International Perspective
Complementary Expertise
Useful freebies
Research into new areas
Greater research outputs
Q: Do you want to maintain
a high profile in a small group or
a lesser role in a larger collaboration?
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Research Collaboration and Networking
Three ways of identifying a Project and Project
Partner:
You have a research idea and seek a partner
that will be interested in supporting this research.
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You know a potential partner (through networks)
and ask if there is research that they want to
undertake, but are constrained (for whatever
reason) to do.
2.
The potential partner is already doing something
and you can add value. Be visible.
3.
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Research Collaboration & Networking
Research Collaboration can be either short or long
term
Establish a strong and worthy network early.
Your Network includes:
• PhD supervisor
• Research supervisor
• Collaborators
• Mentor
• Conference attendees
• Members of professional
societies
FOLLOW UP ON NEW LINKS
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Ethics
Maintain the highest standards!
Your research must be honest, accurate and
ethical.
Where necessary, be aware of animal, human,
bio/radiological AND business ethics.
Obey your organisations rules and policies.
Maintain documentation and obtain approvals.
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Publishing Your Research
Publishing demonstrates acceptance of your
research by your peers
Proves your ability to generate outcomes to
potential grant funders or new employers
Quality or quantity?
Low or high impact journal?
RQF and/or ERA = Visibility, impact
Conference proceeding, book or article - will
you complete additional research in the field?
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Additional Sources – Where to Publish?
Journal Analyzer on Scopus
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Journal Analyzer on Scopus
Metrics: Citations, Articles Published, Trend Line = ‘Relative Impact’, % Not Cited
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Additional Sources – Where to Publish?
SCimajo Journal Rank www.scimagojr.com
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SCimago Journal Indicators
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SCimago Co-Citation Networks
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SCimago – Country Map Generator
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SCimago – Compare Country Research Output
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Charting a Course for a Successful Research Career
Professor Alan M Johnson AM
Research Management Services International Pty Ltd
www.rmsinternational.com.au
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