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Resources and advice for students - last updated 21 February 2007.

Unfortunately, postgraduate training in such topics as how to write a successful grant proposal, give a good talk or publish a scientific paper is often given little time in our graduate schools, thus many students do not fully appreciate how important these skills are to their career. I have a long-standing interest in helping students develop the skills they need to be successful in science and so I have constructed this web site as a first source of information on the development of these important life skills. I hope it helps a little bit. If it does, let me know. If you have any suggestions for improvement let me know that too. Scott.Keogh@anu.edu.au

General good advice

Advice to postgraduate students by Scott Keogh
Advice to postgraduate students from the University of Canberra
Graduate student advice from the University of Washington
- Cynical advice for graduate students by Stephen C. Stearns, Zoologisches Institut der Universtat Basel, Switzerland
- Modest advice for graduate students by Ray Huey, University of Washington (a reply to Stearns)
How to a (good) graduate student, by Marie desJardins - very good, read it twice
How to be a (terrible) graduate student by Graeme Hirst
Networking on the network: A guide to professional skills for PhD students, by Phil Agre (this is a must read, read it three times)
Advice to undergraduates considering graduate school by Phil Agre
How to be a leader in your field by Phil Agre
"So long and thanks for the PhD" by Ronald Azuma (hindsight is always 20/20 - this is a must read for new students)
Choosing a research project by Paul Doughty
PhD student advice from the University of Queensland - a very good source of all sorts of advice
Guide for postgraduate students and supervisors at the ANU - a must read for all ANU students
A "must read" list of books in biology by Mike Jennions
Woman in Science information centre - excellent site, a must see for all woman scientists
Eight attributeds of highly successful postdocs by Constance Holden
Seven steps to success in graduate school (and beyond), by NJ Halas
A guide to professional skills for PhD students - this is a huge, detailed and outstanding piece of work, a must read for all grad students
PhinisheD - a discussion and support group for people having trouble finishing their thesis.
Piled Higher and Deeper (A comic strip for PhD students) - a must read
List of Potential Supervisors for Herpetological Research Projects in Australia

How to write your thesis and papers

Elements of Style by Strunk. The BEST resource on writing style - read it 10 times and then read it a few more. This online version is the original published in 1918. There is also an updated paper version authored by Strunk and White.
How to publish a scientific paper by Sharon Downes
How to write up your results for publication by Paul Doughty
How to write a PhD thesis by S. Joseph Levine - a great source of info.
How to write a PhD thesis by Joe Wolf
How to organise your thesis by John Chinneck
A thesis and dissertation help centre that offers a number of (paid) services
List of statistical consultants who might be able to help

How to give a good talk

How to give a good 15 minute talk by Scott Keogh
How NOT to give a talk

How to write a grant or postdoc proposal

The art of grantsmanship by Jacom Kraicer - ***Outstanding advice***
Guide for writing a funding proposal by S. Joseph Levine - a great source of info.
Grant proposal checklist by Herbert Chermside (an excellent and thorough list, print it out and stick it on your wall)
Advice on how to write an NSF grant (has broader applicability)
Advice on how to write an NIH grant (has broader applicability)
Fundamentals of grantsmanship by Janet Rasey
How to write a losing proposal by Alexander Scheeline
The art of granstmanship by Zoe Eppley
Zen and the art of granstmanship by Wade Black, I like this guys attitude!
List of a bunch of books on grant writing

Some grants available to postgrad students (there are lots of others, look around)

Grant Data Bases
- SPIN grant data base (an EXCELLENT source of info on all sorts of funding opportunities, take the time to learn how to drive it)
Australian societies and institutions that fund biological research in Australia
- Ecological Society of Australia Student Grants
- Linnean Society of NSW Joyce W. Vickery Biological Research Grant
- Royal Zoological Society of NSW Ethel Mary Biological Research Grant
- The Foundation for Young Australians
- Royal Society of Victoria Research Grants. Email the Executive Officer for forms at: admin@sciencevictoria.org.au
- Australian Geographic Society - gives out small grants to students
- Australian Federation for University Woman - The AFUW offers a large variety of grants and fellowships but many of them are regional.
- GrantsLink page for Australian funding
Overseas societies and institutions that fund biological research all over (including Australia)
- Animal Behaviour Society Grants to students
- Animal Behaviour Society Conservation Grants
- Animal Behaviour Society Developing Nations Research Grant (note: Australia is not considered a developing nation!)
- Sigma Xi Grants in aid of student research
- Society of Systematic Biologists Awards for Grad Student Research
- International Grants Programs - goldmine of biological research grants
- Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology - various grants for students and postdocs
Herpetology Grants
- Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) Grants to students
- Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) Metter Memorial Award
- Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) Henri Seibert Award
- American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) Gaige Grant to students
- Peter Rankin Trust Fund for Herpetology (For Australia only)
- International Grants Programs - goldmine of biological research grants
- Australian Society of Herpetologists Grants - for members only, so join the society
- Joan C. Milam has put together an excellent guide for herpetologists in and outside the U.S. This publication called "Grants and Awards for Herpetologists," can be purchased in booklet form for US$8 plus US$2 postage from Robert D. Aldridge, Department of Biology, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103 USA.

Some fellowships available to postgrad students (there are lots of others, look around)

Fulbright Fellowships (to spend a year in the USA)
Graduate Student Fellowships at the Smithsonian - lots of different kinds

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Australian - this is not an exhaustive list, look around. Most of these are difficult for non-Australians to win.
Overseas - of course there are lots more - look around.
- Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship - 1 year in USA
- International Federation of University Women
- Life Sciences Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship - 3 years in USA
- The Evolution Directory list of Postdoctoral Fellowships all over the world - outstanding site
- The Smithsonian offers a variety of postdoctoral fellowships ranging from 1 - 3 years, which can take place at one of their many facilities. Some of these include the Smithsonian proper, the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. Check out their Opportunities for Fellowships page for info. There is a lot of info there, so it's worth surfing around.

Advice on getting an academic job

Networking on the network: A guide to professional skills for PhD students, by Phil Agre (this is a must read, read it three times)
Getting an academic job by Michael Ernst
PhD interview preparation guide for positions in academia by Trina Sego and Jef Richards - very good
Academic job interview advice by Mary Sies
Questions one should be prepared to answer in an academic job interview by Mary Sies
Links to a bunch of good sites on academic job interviews
The B&B Primer on First Job Haggling by Bradbury, Baylis, Echternacht and Boake (this is an excellent resource on how the academic interview process works and what you need to know when you negotiate a deal. It is written from a North American perspective but most of it applies).
Careers in Science Website by Science Magazine - lots of advice on all aspects of academia

Academic job advertisments

NATURE Magazine job ads
SCIENCE Magazine job ads
New Scientist Magazine job ads
Evolution Directory list of jobs all over the world - outstanding site
Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology job and postdoc listing
Academic jobs in the United Kingdom
Lots more academic jobs in the United Kingdom
Biology jobs in the UK
Academic jobs in Europe
CareerOne - good place to look for Australian jobs, new posts each week
Campus Review is a good place to look for Australian jobs
Job Openings from Academia This Week from The Chronicle of Higher Education
The EducationGuardian - for jobs in the UK

Other Graduate Student Advice Pages

Graduate school survival guide by Wanda Pratt
Guide to grad school survival - a very good source of general advice by Ronald Azuma
Graduate Student Resources on the web - by Dan Horn, a great site, check it out
Re-envisioning the PhD - and VERY good source of info, it's a similar (and bigger) site to this one

Any comments or suggestions, please let me know - Scott.Keogh@anu.edu.au