Відео

Prof. Rillig, thank you very much for the video!

Very clear and informative! Thank you for creating these awesome videos to share us the life in academia.

@mrillig please give feedback on my subjective and honest answer. As we all know, everyone does mistake. Well I do them more often than others. My wikness is kind of dyslexia -- I systematically do random error. First example, I could be an absolute winner of the international chemistry Olympiad, but I mixed up R and S labels in stereochemistry task. I know how to determine R and S because I wrote a 100 pages long study material on that topic. The thing is that my mind tends switch pairs, like R and S, or numbers 8 and 9, or names Sergey Pavlov and Pavel Sergeev. I could tell funny stories how that peculiarity led to confusions as well as discoveries. Yet, let me focus on two consequences. First, I am good at spotting non-trivial errors in others works (and anticipate risks), like Mr Fainman (... you know the book, right?). Second, I have developed practices to correct my own errors on a daily basis. Would you like to hear some stories?

Vielen Dank fuer Ihre Ratschlaege! Ich habe alle notiert.

I like your positivity, thanks for the tips I found them really helpful. I guess based on what mentioned a reviewer should start with a positive comment even if he/she thinks major revisions are needed. The reviewer should also be specific about the critic and provide constructive points about the article.

Thank you so much! This is very helpful, particularly the five aspects! It is a clear guideline!

very helpful, thank-you.

Do you think PhD students need help in lab firstly? So should be a supervisor advisor or mentor for PhD students other then PI. Or should it be just PI and PhD students?

Because of the toxic PI , I lost my interest in research. I am pre-grad and I have quite high experiences in research. I was so motivated until now all the years but now I feel like I am lost, unsuccessful, useless, pissed off

I randomly found your channel just a few days ago. Thank you so much for such a channel and the way you deliver the content 😊

This was truely helpful

Very useful tips, thank you!!

You are insane if you think lab members will talk to you, an stranger, honestly about their opinions. they may try to mislead you. You say that neighbor labs will talk, that's also arguable

Sir my age is 45 am i eligible for post doctoral studies, my field of research is physical chemistry ( Nano metal oxides)

Thanks for such an informative and clarifying video.

Thanks for sharing and I am enjoying your videos while i am in a middle of finding a job

Dear Matthias; I have been to a PhD interview with an expert committee (3 members). This PhD was funded by the Carlsberg Foundation (Denmark), and candidates were supposed to apply with their own project. My interview lasted almost 1 hour: for the first 10 minutes, I did a presentation, and the rest was a discussion about my project, and how it contributes to scholarship. They never asked me any questions like "Tell us about yourself", "what are your strengths or weaknesses", "Why do you want to do a PhD", or "Why this university" etc. (maybe because I have already published an article in a peer-reviewed journal?). At some point, the interview got very personal with one of the committee members: we discussed Marxism, feminist critique of Marx, and decolonial theory for around 10 minutes. All members were very positive, friendly, and welcoming. They asked me "You are supposed to conduct research at a foreign institution, do you have any plans?", and I told them that I already planned where to conduct research. Then, they told me "Part of your responsibilities you will have to take teaching activity. What would you like to teach?". I answered that I had plans to teach a particular subject (critical social media studies). Through the end of the interview, the atmosphere became quite warm and friendly, even they made some jokes and we all laughed. Finally, the head of the committee gave me information about the timeline, when I would hear back from them, and when the possible start date could be as they know that I work full-time and have a notice period. They also told me about the relocation support I could get etc. Given this information, what do you think about the possible admission to the PhD program? :) Thank you so much!

Thank you mate!

Excellent video, Dr. Rillig! Any article/book recommendation on Systematic Mapping or even a rationale?

Am not smart enough 😢

I just attended one of the future faculty workshop and found out the same approach of having 1 slide that no one knows.

Is research statement and research interest statement similar?

Thank you for making this video. I'm currently applying to faculties in Germany for an AI PhD and this was really helpful !

Tanks for valuable points. Could you please mention the main reasons for that let to rigect

Possible questions mentioned in the video: 1. Please summarize your previous research 2. Why do you want to come here, why are you interested 3. What skills can you contribute to the lab 4. Questions about methods needed for the position 5. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now 6. Any questions

What would you do if you find your supervisor is not flexible at all? He won't like you work remotely, even though coming to office means a 4 hour long strenuous journey and you have told him that it's not for so long. You are looking for property nearby to move. Your supervisor won't approve you appling for a part time job in the lab either. He says phd is a full time job you can't have another job on top of that. Also, in terms of work, he shoots the idea of doing anything outside his speciality. It's not feasible, or no funding too expensive, etc. I feel like i am less in control of my phd

Better don’t use background music it’s annoying! Especially for academic purposes

That's exciting. Hmm, thinking about earthworms now. Do they breathe nitrates in flooded soil?😮

Thank you so much for this video, it's very conscience! What would you recommend to say if your an international scholar and funding agencies usually just fund citizens? I have a couple of ideas in mind but these are more oriented to postdoctoral international students (I'm in the US and my field is history).

Thank you for this great information's , i hop you enjoy that because this is actually helpful . THANK YOU AGAIN .

What if the thief is your advisor?

Thank you for the video. Unfortunately, I have experienced a similar lab environment, which I think, at least partly, significantly extended the duration of my PhD. The lab culture and my PI’s behavior caused great confusion and made me regret pursuing a PhD, to the point where I thought of leaving academia numerous times. I found collaborators outside of my lab for the project and that is what made me continue until now when I am almost finishing it. I’ve found a postdoc position I want to apply, I’m wondering if it’s appropriate to mention these challenges in my motivation letter as part of the reason for the extended PhD timeline?

Self-growth is something I’ve been focusing on, but staying committed to it long-term has always been a challenge. I tried doing it on my own-setting goals, journaling, reflecting-but it was easy to let things slide. Then, I came across the idea of having an accountability partner. I tried it with a friend, but it wasn’t as structured as I needed. So, I joined Habit10x, and having that consistent check-in is making all the difference. I’m excited to see where this new approach to self-growth will lead.

Thank you so much for all your helpful videos. I have valued them a lot. You mentioned you moved to the US to do your postdoc. I will be doing the same in a couple of months. Do you have any advice specifically for doing an international postdoc?

I am going for my faculty interview. This works as a great primer. Thank you.

I love the quote at the end ‘a lot of people are smart, distinguish yourself by being nice’. We need this kind of positivity in academia!

I'm easy but when someone bullies me I fight back. 2 years ago a lead on a project pushed my buttons and I yelled at him in front of the entire team. Everyone went silent. I was expecting a call from my manager and HR but nothing happened. I talked to my manager and he said that the guy was removed as a manager because he couldn't control his anger. He gave me the dagger eye's when we met one-on-one but I looked him in eye when I talked to him. He was a big guy and into the martial arts and if he said let's go I would have gone a few rounds with him. After that he always treated me with respect. He cost me some points on a bonus but I hold my manager I would do it again. If you are weak the climber creeps will just walk over you so don't let them do that.

This was very helpful! Thanks a lot.

I spent the best part of the last decade trying to encourage academics to ensure that their research had impact, i.e. the "Application" part of your video. I made a bad assumption early on, that people who's purpose was to create new knowledge, would be creative and so able to identify places where their work would help to solve problems. However, I found that creativity wasn't actually a strong skill of most academics, so kudos for your videos here trying to promote its benefits. Academics aren't typically motivated by money, so just talking about applications can be a turn-off for them. One alternative to promote is policy. For example, if your research uncovers ways that microplastics are getting into the soil, how do you reach people in government that can use your findings to mitigate the harms this will cause?

Thank you for having no music in the background!

I experienced both when I had freedom and when I didn't. I am totally agree with all points! 😊

My Fav Reasearch Author ❤

Very useful video. Thank you.

Can you make a video on giving good chalk talks please.

It is a very good idea. Finish the required task and then have freedom.

Hope you find this video helpful. It's not just for PIs and group leaders, but really for everyone. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

I want to be a scientist, but I'm the sole heir to my father's family business.

Great video! Could you please make a video/give suggestions on how to approach potential collaborators for intiating a collaboration? I always find that difficult and awkward when you don't know the person, and I end up shying away. Some tips on this would really help. Thanks!