A career in research: Being a group leader

Sarah E Bohndiek 11/12/15 CRUK Postdoc Day

2002-2005 BA Natural Sciences (Physics) at Pembroke College, Cambridge

2000-2002 A Levels (Maths, Further Maths, Physics, History) at Christ the King Sixth Form College, Lewisham, London

1995-2000 GCSEs at Thomas Tallis School, Kidbrooke, London

2011-2013 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Radiology at Stanford University

2005-2008 PhD in Radiation Physics at University College London

2008-2011 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biochemistry at University of Cambridge

Basic Research •  Interactions of light and

tissue •  Technological innovation •  Instrument development Technical Validation •  Phantom Trials

Department of Physics

Basic Research •  Diagnosing cancer early •  Probing cancer

metabolism Biological Validation in Trials •  Preclinical •  Clinical

Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

What did I do as a postdoc to maximise my chances?

How did I compete for a group leader position?

How did I transition into a group leader role?

i.e. what you can do now…

i.e. what you have to do next

i.e. managing time, students, postdocs, technicians, hiring, lab space, resources, finances, safety, ethics, teaching, examining, committees, colleagues, emails, (social) media, travelling, conferences, outreach, training, papers … oh, and science!

Make sure you are in the right environment to do your postdoc; if you are not, move!

PI  

Inspiring  

Empathe0c  

Selfless  

Generous  Open  

Connected  

Flexible  

Taken from S Bohndiek, The Good Mentorship Guide (Physics World 2013)

Publish good science… that tells a story

Semiconductor  Physics  and  X-­‐ray  Diffrac0on  

Small  animal  MRI  using  hyperpolariza0on  

Raman  Spectroscopy  and  Optoacous0c  Imaging  

Can  X-­‐ray  scaFering  improve  breast  cancer  detec0on?  

Does  molecular  imaging  have  a  role  to  play  in  monitoring  angiogenesis?  

Is  an0-­‐  angiogenic  therapy  response  beFer  determined  by  serum  or  imaging  biomarkers?  

Get independent funding or contribute to your PIs grants Applications made as a postdoc 2009 •  Junior Research Fellowships (Corpus Christi and King’s College) 2010 •  L’Oreal Fellowship •  EMBO Long Term Fellowship •  Marie Curie Outgoing Fellowship •  HFSP Cross Disciplinary Fellowship 2011 •  AACI Translational Research Fellowship •  AAUW International Fellowship •  Dean’s Fellowship •  AACR Clinical / Translational Fellowship

Applications made as a postdoc 2009 •  Junior Research Fellowships (Corpus Christi and King’s College) 2010 •  L’Oreal Fellowship •  EMBO Long Term Fellowship •  Marie Curie Outgoing Fellowship •  HFSP Cross Disciplinary Fellowship 2011 •  AACI Translational Research Fellowship •  AAUW International Fellowship •  Dean’s Fellowship •  AACR Clinical / Translational Fellowship

Take responsibility and record evidence

•  Watch your PI •  Supervise students in the laboratory

–  Know where they go next

•  Take on safety management –  Prepare and organise risk assessments, COSHH forms etc

•  Run facilities –  What did you specifically bring to a particular role?

•  Initiate and maintain collaborations –  Nurture early projects to ensure they can deliver

•  Get experience in teaching and outreach –  Keep a good record of what / where / feedback

•  Peer reviews for journals / grants –  Ask your PI to suggest you then use publons

What did I do as a postdoc to maximise my chances?

How did I compete for a group leader position?

How did I transition into a group leader role?

i.e. what you can do now…

i.e. what you have to do next

i.e. managing time, students, postdocs, technicians, hiring, lab space, resources, finances, safety, ethics, teaching, examining, committees, colleagues, emails, (social) media, travelling, conferences, outreach, training, papers … oh, and science!

Timeline Early preparations: update CV, get your papers submitted, talk to PI about your future plans, sign up for job alerts and update your profile, tell your network, identify referees.

– 12 months

– 6 months

– 3 months

– 1 month

The Interview!

1 month

3 months +

Apply in earnest: Carefully prepare proposal. Update CV and write a good cover letter. Get feedback on your package!!

Interview practice: Prepare your ‘job talk’ and ‘chalk talk’. Give these at least to your peers and your PI, ideally someone outside. Focus on the details: What start up funds and space do you need? How will your team look? Who will you collaborate with?

Give a confident talk and keep to time. Keep your chalk talk on track. Ask good questions of those you meet 1-2-1. Convey your enthusiasm for the position and people. Be courteous.

Follow up, second visit, start negotiating

Start making the practical arrangements to start your position

What did I do as a postdoc to maximise my chances?

How did I compete for a group leader position?

How did I transition into a group leader role?

i.e. what you can do now…

i.e. what you have to do next

i.e. managing time, students, postdocs, technicians, hiring, lab space, resources, finances, safety, ethics, teaching, examining, committees, colleagues, emails, (social) media, travelling, conferences, outreach, training, papers … oh, and science!

The Learning Curve

Feeling strong Tired but optimistic

Why didn’t I get some help?

This is just stupid

Money

Research funding opportunities

£50-­‐100K,  ~1  year  “Pump  Priming”  

~£0.5-­‐1M,  5  years  Fellowships  

~£1M+,  5  years  Programme  Grants  /  Core  Funding  

~£200-­‐500K,  ~3  years  Project  Grants  

PI(1) Co-PI (2)

PI(2)

PI(1) Co-PI (2)

PI(3) Co-PI (2)

Space

C FAITHFUL + GOULD COPYRIGHT: REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART BY ANY MEANS IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF FAITHFUL + GOULD

Details of RevisionRev. Date Sign

Status:

Original Size:

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Date:

Drawn:

Date: Date:

Co-ord chk:

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N.T.SGeneral Notes

Location Plan

Date

Use only written dimensions. All dimensions must beverified prior to the works being put into hand and anydiscrepancies reported to the originator.

Health And Safety Information

Access and Egress/Site Compund

Structural Check/Lifting & HandlingSite Survey

Asbestos Survey

Hazards Identified

InitialsDetails

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Euston Tower 286 Euston Road London NW1 3AT

Tel. +44(0)20 7121 2121 Fax. +44(0)20 7121 2020

Procedure Rooms

Proposed Layout

Client:

Cancer Research UK

A1

1:50

12.10.15

MP SK

12.10.15

DESIGN

002

C FAITHFUL + GOULD COPYRIGHT: REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART BY ANY MEANS IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF FAITHFUL + GOULD

Details of RevisionRev. Date Sign

Status:

Original Size:

Scale: Checked:

Date:

Drawn:

Date: Date:

Co-ord chk:

Title:

Drawing No:

Ref:

Project:

N.T.SGeneral Notes

Location Plan

Date

Use only written dimensions. All dimensions must beverified prior to the works being put into hand and anydiscrepancies reported to the originator.

Health And Safety Information

Access and Egress/Site Compund

Structural Check/Lifting & HandlingSite Survey

Asbestos Survey

Hazards Identified

InitialsDetails

Do Not Scale

Euston Tower 286 Euston Road London NW1 3AT

Tel. +44(0)20 7121 2121 Fax. +44(0)20 7121 2020

Procedure Rooms

Procedure Rooms - Furniture and Power Layout

Client:

Cancer Research UK

A3

1:40

03.11.15

MP SK

03.11.15

DESIGN

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•  Small equipment (can

you recycle?) •  Large equipment (can

you borrow?)

•  Plug sockets (always more than you think)

•  Gas outlets •  Lighting •  Sinks

People

•  Who do you want? What will they work on? •  Write a well targeted advertisement

–  Make friends with your HR people

•  Use your network: direct email shots, email lists, social media, science media, jobs websites (costly)

•  (Raise your profile quickly) •  Don’t be afraid to advertise again •  Ask experienced colleagues to help with the selection and

interview process •  Always skype screen first •  If possible, see how people react in an informal setting

Make friends

Func0oning  Academic  

Senior  Administrator  

(PA?!)  

Human  Resources  

Graduate  Student  

Admissions  

Purchasing  

Accoun0ng  

IT  

IP  

Departmental  Safety  Officer  

Ethics  

Finding balance between

Taken from S Bohndiek, Finding Balance in a New Lab (Physics World 2014)

The  desire  to  do  everything  to  the  highest  standards…  

…  vs  the  desire  to  do,  well,  something,  anything!  

Formula0ng  exci0ng,  risky  new  research  ques0ons…  

…  vs  producing  solid  data  from  exis:ng  ones.  

Communica0ng  electronically…  

…  vs  communica:ng  in  person.  

Being  friends  with  your  lab…  

…  vs  developing  your  skills  as  a  leader.  

Must read resources

•  A PhD is not enough, Peter Feibelman •  Making the right moves: A practical guide to scientific

management for postdocs and new faculty, HHMI/Burroughs Wellcome Fund

•  At the Helm: Leading your laboratory, Kathy Barker •  FT Guide to Management: How to make a difference and get

results, Ann Francke •  The Strategic Grant Seeker, J Illes •  Tomorrow’s Professor (mailing list), Rick Reis •  http://tinyurl.com/JimAustinPlan •  http://tinyurl.com/LenaTingGrants

Acknowledgements

The Bohndiek Lab Dr James Joseph

Dr Isabel Quiros-Gonzalez Dr Jakub Surmacki

Fiona Morgan Siri Luthman

Michal Tomaszewski Dale Waterhouse Ben Woodhams

Judith Weber

Visitors Dr Frederic Brochu (@Cam)

Dr Joanna Brunker (UCL)

CRUK CI @ Cam Prof. Kevin Brindle

Dr Andre Neves

Engineering @ Cam Prof. Tim Wilkinson Dr George Gordon

iThera Medical Stefan Morscher Christian Wiest

MRC Cancer Unit @ Cam

Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald Dr Massi di Pietro

Radiology @ Cam

Prof. Fiona Gilbert Dr Oshi Abeyakoon