Securing the job you had been aiming for – perhaps an academic post in a University or a scientific position in a research institute or a company – brings a great sense of achievement and relief. It also brings new responsibilities, exciting challenges and significant changes in your working life. It is likely that you will have the sole, or at least the major, responsibility for the direction of research in your lab and of all those working with you, securing funding, managing finance, publishing and writing reports.

DIRECTING RESEARCH

In theory, if you have secured an independent position, you will probably have been successfully directing your own research for some time. In reality, it is likely that you will have done this with regular advice from the lab head or other senior staff. It can be a little frightening to realise that you are now the lab head (even if it is a very small lab at first), who makes the decisions and is responsible for the successes and failures. There is a temptation to totally ‘go it alone’ and stand or fall on your own abilities. A few will do this very well and achieve great success, but most young scientists will benefit from continued advice. Indeed some of the most successful senior and experienced scientists seek the advice of respected colleagues on their draft papers or grant applications, on ideas, project plans and results throughout their career. You may remain in contact with your previous mentor or talk regularly to senior colleagues in your new environment.