Articles by: Rebecca Nesbit
A passion for science
Nobel Laureates have come to scientific research through different routes, whether it was the result of a childhood ambition or a late career change. However, laureates speaking at events all share a conviction that science is their calling. The Nobel Prize Inspiration Initiative has visited countries on four continents in partnership with AstraZeneca, and one…
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How to get a job in science
Applying for jobs can be daunting, but there are simple ways for early-career scientists to ensure their applications stand out. Through the , Nobel Laureates have shared valuable insights for applications and interviews. Like most laureates, Randy Schekman finds that very little effort has gone into most of the letters he receives. It’s rare to…
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How to build a scientific career
Early-career scientists face difficult decisions when building their career in research, and indeed about whether a career in research is right for them at all. To help with these decisions, the gives young scientists the opportunity to question Nobel Laureates about career paths. The laureate’s answers are varied, insightful, and sometimes unexpected. How do I choose a…
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The dominance of impact factors
Journal impact factors now play a major role in determining the path of scientific careers, with researchers working hard to get into the highest-ranked journals. However, since impact factors are simply an averaged measure of the number of citations received by all the papers published in a journal over a two year period, they are…
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With failure comes opportunity
Every laureate faces failures and set-backs on their path to the Nobel Prize. It is a topic they are frequently asked about at events, and, given that we all fail from time to time, their insights are relevant for us all, whether failure is something already experienced, or whether it is yet to come! What can…
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With a little help from our (insect) friends
Nobel Prize laureates speaking at events are united in the belief that they could not have achieved great things alone. They thank their family, friends, mentors, patients, colleagues … and not just the human ones. When medicine laureate Michael Young spoke to students at an event in China, he expanded his acknowledgements to include his…
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How hard do you need to work?
Hard work has been part of every laureate’s journey towards the Nobel Prize. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi spent time in the lab on the morning of her wedding. After Michael Brown’s first daughter was born, he went straight back to see Joseph Goldstein to discuss the next day’s experiments. Early-career scientists often ask laureates about work-life balance…
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The myth of the lone genius
According to Martin Chalfie his first experience with science ended badly because he was too afraid to ask for help.
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Mentorship: a lasting gift
Throughout life we all rely on mentors to train us and guide us. It is a subject which many Nobel Laureates speak passionately about, pointing to individuals who encouraged them and shaped the way they think about science. As mentors themselves, they offer guidance in many ways, whether this is supporting young people in their…
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