The Ultimate Student’s Guide to Scientific Research

A scientific career is a long and winding journey. Many factors assemble to determine the trajectory and products of scientific inquiry. This book addresses the scientific career path comprehensively, ranging from how to build a strong foundational knowledge and skill base, to training programs programs, composing winning research proposals and grants, conducting excellent research, writing papers and reports, collaborative research programs, bridging academia and industry, career advancement, and more.

• Guides where, how, and what to study in undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, graduate, and post-graduate training programs and addresses important crossroads throughout the continuum of training and beyond.
• Highlights best practices, techniques, and nuances for creating a successful scientific career.
• Provides critical insights for traversing major milestones and decision points in a scientific career and serves as a resources for reference throughout stages of advancement.
• Discusses alternative career opportunities for individuals trained in sciences.
• Offers students, researchers, and other scientists across all stages of their careers with accessible, engaging, and useful insider tips.

1. Introduction

Samuel J. S. Rubin, Nir Qvit

2. The history of science

Nir Qvit, Samuel J. S. Rubin

3. Scientific impacts

Nir Qvit, Samuel J. S. Rubin

4. A day in the life of a scientist

Samuel J. S. Rubin, Nir Qvit

5. The scientist’s skillset

Samuel J. S. Rubin, Nir Qvit

6. The conception of a career in science

Nadav Qvit

7. Finding the right training program

Samuel J. S. Rubin, Nir Qvit

8. Excelling in your undergraduate degree

Samuel J. S. Rubin, Nir Qvit

9. Postbaccalaureate programs

Samuel J. S. Rubin, Nir Qvit

10. The master’s degree

Nir Qvit, Samuel J. S. Rubin

11. Excelling in your PhD

Samuel J. S. Rubin, Nir Qvit

12. The Secret Sauce: how to be an efficient and effective research scientist

Aaron Leconte

13. Designing a research project

Nir Qvit, Samuel J. S. Rubin

14. Obtaining research funding

Nir Qvit, Samuel J. S. Rubin

15. Publishing and presenting scientific findings

Nir Qvit, Samuel J. S. Rubin

16. Science in a pandemic

Samuel J. S. Rubin, Nir Qvit

17. Excelling in your postdoc

Nir Qvit, Samuel J. S. Rubin

18. Starting a laboratory or research group

Nir Qvit, Samuel J. S. Rubin

19. Alternate and circuitous paths

Bo’az Klartag

20. Navigating decisions, milestones, and crossroads in science

Samuel J. S. Rubin, Nir Qvit

21. Women in science

Brett Goldsmith, Kiana Aran

22. Scientific career trajectories

Nir Qvit, Samuel J. S. Rubin

23. Epilogue

Nir Qvit, Samuel J. S. Rubin

Samuel J. S. Rubin, PhD, MD

Dr. “Yoni” Samuel J. S. Rubin completed his PhD in immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine, followed by postdoctoral training, MD, clinical residency, and fellowship at the same institution. His research focuses on better understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying chronic immune-mediated diseases and using this knowledge to develop safer, cheaper, and more effective tools for detecting and treating illness worldwide. In the field of mucosal immunology and immune cell trafficking, Dr. Rubin’s findings have inspired the development of novel blood-based methods for detection of gastroenterological conditions.

Nir Qvit, PhD, MBA

Dr. Nir Qvit completed his doctorate in organic chemistry at the Hebrew University in 2008. His graduate work focused on developing strategies for synthesis of small molecules, peptides, and peptidomimetics (modified peptides) for various therapeutic applications. Dr. Qvit completed postdoctoral training and worked as a Senior Scientist in Chemical and Systems Biology at Stanford University. In 2017, Dr. Qvit became a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator of the multi-national and inter-disciplinary Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Protein-Protein Interactions in the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine at Bar Ilan University.