Here I sit, 5:48pm on a Tuesday. It’s exactly three hours and 48 minutes after I was supposed to have the weekly one-on-one meeting with my boss. What have I been doing for the last four hours? Let’s review.
Flyceum: Your Science. Your Career.
We’re following in the tradition of open discussions among scientists that has resulted in important advances in both science and society.
Thanks for Making it to Our Meeting. Oh Wait, You Didn’t.
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My PI Tells More Stories than Mother Goose
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Dear Dora,
My PI constantly tells potential collaborators that we’ve got results we actually don’t have, despite my frequent attempts at correcting him. I’m worried it’s going to backfire on us and make me look bad. What do you recommend?
– KA, postdoc
BenchFly Laboratory Techniques: Now on the Go!
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Today our laboratory techniques join the ranks of the Whopper, the Tall Latte and the Burrito as items that can all be enjoyed on the go (hopefully without the heartburn…). As the Apple vs. Flash video war rages on, the real victims are often us – the innocent internet users – who find many of our favorite websites aren’t fully functional on our cell phones. And in an on-demand world, that’s just not acceptable.
Working for a Micromanager is a Macro Pain
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Dear Dora,
My boss is a serious micromanger and it’s driving me crazy. Is there any way to get them to loosen the reigns, or am I stuck?
– Amy, grad student
How to Give a Good Talk
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The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most important talents of a good scientist. Whether it’s standing in front of a poster, giving a ten minute talk at a meeting, or writing the next Citation Classic, scientists who connect with their audience create a better impression of themselves and their work than colleagues who don’t. The good news is that although there are examples of outstanding, naturally-gifted communicators (see Barack Obama) scientific communication is an acquired skill. The more you work at it, the better you’ll get.
The Lab Desktop: Looking Busy at Work (When You’re Not)
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A lab desktop is probably the last thing most of us want to stare at during a long day at the bench. It’s also far nerdier than the gorgeous beachscape of picture from your last vacation that is currently filling the role. But if we told you that a lab desktop can make you look like you’re working hard, when the truth might suggest otherwise, it might not sound like such a bad idea afterall…
Changing Thesis Projects: Death Sentence or New Life?
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Dear Dora,
When is it too late to consider changing thesis projects?
– Casey, Graduate student
5 Laboratory Techniques That’ll Get You Punched in the Face
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When first learning laboratory techniques, it’s important to start with the ones that will help you keep your front teeth. We’ve discussed some of the best ways to fit into a lab, but often the worst offenders don’t even realize what they’re doing wrong. So this is directed at the select few who are making life difficult for the rest of us. If it turns out you’re “accidentally” performing one of these, it might be better to knock it off before getting knocked out…
LabLibs: Let Chuck Norris Protect Your Bench
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Hmm, on Friday we had six eppi tube racks and three pipetman. Then we took Monday off. Now we have one eppi rack and zero pipetman – that math doesn’t seem right. Looks like it’s time to call in the big guns…
The Lab Budget’s in More Red than a Friday the 13th Movie
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Dear Dora,
Our lab frequently operates in the red, but my PI says it’s normal. Are they telling the truth or should I be seriously concerned about my job security?
-Wes, grad student
