LymeAlert’s Post

Closing Soon! Daphne Jackson Fellowship co-sponsored with the MS Society This postdoctoral fellowship is for researchers interested in any area of MS research. - Held at any UK university or research establishment - A part-time, flexible opportunity over three years  - For those returning to research after a career break, of two years or more, taken for family, health or caring reasons. #CareerRestart #STEM #ProfessionalDevelopment #InclusionInSTEM #DiversityInScience #CareerFellowship #STEMCareers Find out more - link in the comments below

Money <- Freedom <- Research <- Academics ... Priorities can often change in life. Zara Dar is/was a research student pursuing PhD in computer science, and used to create tutorial content on various STEM topics, such as neural network, mathematics, etc. When I first saw Zara's academic content on YT last year, it seemed somewhat AI-ish! Because, probably, it was so perfectly recorded and edited! What charisma drives Zara to quit the PhD program in computer science and choose freelance content creation at OF is not simple. However, I resonate with some of her questions. Is it worth living with the burden of substantial academic loans for years or a liberating life with choices of freedom? Priorities may differ from person to person. Everybody has to make their own decision. DISCLAIMER: Please don't blame me if it is found that Zara Dar is an AI-generated character created as a marketing gimmick by the OF platform sales department for the online world! #academics #research #stem #content #creation #freelance #money #freedom #learningtimes #debeshchoudhury

Today, I made the tough decision to withdraw my application for a visiting scholar position at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I was set to work on an exciting extension of my PhD project. It’s a moment that has reminded me how life’s unpredictability can reshape even the best-laid plans. When I first started developing my research proposal last year, I was full of excitement and determination, eager to take this next step. From the initial conversations and interviews to drafting the project alongside my incredible and supportive PhD supervisors—Yves Méheust, Insa Neuweiler, and my MIT collaborators, Rafael Villamor-Lora and Prof. Einstein—everything felt like it was falling perfectly into place. But life, as it often does, had different plans. Over the past few months, my wife and I have faced personal challenges that forced me to reassess my priorities. I am profoundly grateful for the understanding and support of my supervisors, who have shown not only professional excellence but also personal kindness throughout this time. They’ve made this journey meaningful in ways that go far beyond research. Through this experience, I’ve learned two important lessons that I’ll carry with me: - Pursue your passions with dedication, but understand that life doesn’t always follow the path you envision. Sometimes you need to adjust course, and that’s okay. - Surround yourself with people who care and understand. Having compassionate mentors and colleagues is invaluable, especially during life’s tougher moments. Thank you again to everyone who has supported me. While this chapter may have come to a close, I’m looking forward to what the future holds. #gratitude #lifelessons #research #MIT #PhDjourney #resilience #thankful #motivation #inspiration #highereducation #PhDlife #supportsystem

The Ultimate PhD Survival Guide 🎓⚡ It's no secret that pursuing a PhD can be an intense and challenging journey. From managing coursework and research to navigating the inevitable ups and downs, it takes a lot of resilience and determination to make it through.📝 That's why we're excited to share this article, "The PhD Survival Guide" - a comprehensive resource packed with hard-won insights and practical tips to help you thrive during your doctoral studies.✨ Whether you're just starting your PhD or deep in the trenches, this guide is designed to be your go-to companion, empowering you to navigate the challenges and make the most of this transformative experience. 🎓 Head over to the link below to check it out and let us know your thoughts! We're always eager to hear from fellow PhD students and candidates about your own experiences and insights.👇 https://lnkd.in/dNEehmeV #PhDLife #AcademicSupport #GraduateSchool #ResearchLife #academia #researcher #PhDlife #DoctoralJourney #PhDstudent #ResearchGoals #AcademicCommunity #HigherEducation #PhDsuccess #DissertationWriting #PhDadvice #DoctoralDegree

If you live in the US or Europe and are planning on doing a PhD, here's my advice: Don't. During the 3-5 years of your PhD, you will stay poor in order to stay poor for the rest of your life. And it will take a huge toll on your mental health. If you decide to go through with it, you will be staring down a lifetime of doing precarious jobs and being constantly on the move. If you do decide to pursue a PhD, don't go for the humanities or even social sciences. Stick to natural sciences but keep in mind that you will be applying for postdocs every 2-3 years until you get you land a huge grant and become a PI. If you devote the same 3-5 years to any skill of your choice and pursue it diligently, you will be an expert at the end of it. You will be able to easily monetize your skill and live wherever you want. If you live in the Global South and you get an opportunity to pursue a PhD in the Global North, you should consider it seriously. A PhD from a university in the Global North can certainly open doors for you.

Take every journey as a new journey, and embrace the learning and growth it offers. I completely agree with Dr. Roy Prasad (Hon. Professor Dr.) and Dr. Saiful Jalun! A PhD is a transformative journey, not just about reaching the destination. The process demands intense dedication and perseverance. Weekends might be shorter, and discussions with cohorts often extend beyond regular hours. However, this rigorous commitment fosters immense growth and deep expertise. The challenges faced and overcome during this journey provide invaluable skills and knowledge that extend far beyond academia. It becomes clear that there are many paths to success with the right desire and support from those around us. Embracing this journey has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. #phdlife #learningjourney #research #growth #academia

And with that, my PhD journey is complete.

Thriving in your PhD: navigating the treacherous terrain 🧠 As I achieved my PhD more than one year ago with "success" (that for me is growing personally and intellectually, not only the papers that I have published), I am receiving a huge influx of inquiries from students eager to conquer the PhD path. The key? In my personal opinion (and experience): 1.-Stellar supervisors 2.- Unwavering dedication 3.-Securing funding.🔑 And above all, enjoy the path with your team. Beware the "predatory professors" - those who promise guidance but deliver only disappointment. I was fortunate to have the best: Santiago Forgas Coll and Rubén Huertas García. Their mentorship was transformative. 🙌 And remember: the doctoral journey is no walk in the park. It requires grit, resilience, and the ability to overcome setbacks. But with the right support system and a relentless work ethic, you'll unlock doors to groundbreaking research. 💪 #AcademicLife #PhDJourney #SupervisorSupport #ResearchFunding #GraduateStudies

These AI summary tools are quite good. This is what Coauthor thought of my 2024 LinkedIn year: In 2024, I witnessed what happens when you blend academic rigor with business impact: better forecasting drives better decisions. This year marked significant transitions: completing my journey of supervising 16 PhD students at Stellenbosch University, growing Predictive Insights' impact across industries, and proving that data science can excel even in fantasy football (top 0.08% in FPL!). What became clear through these experiences is that the real value isn't in the complexity of our models, but in making sophisticated forecasting accessible and actionable. Three posts that captured key insights: "A PhD Journey's End" On the challenges beyond intellectual rigor - funding, family emergencies, global pandemics - and the incredible resilience required to reach the finish line. https://lnkd.in/ddNQXYWB "Team Appreciation at Predictive Insights" How building strong culture through recognition drives better outcomes. https://lnkd.in/dc6nWAsj "Fantasy Premier League Success" Using data science and AI to achieve top 0.08% globally - proving that sophisticated analysis can succeed in unexpected areas. https://lnkd.in/dQbxbVva To my PhD students who've gone on to do remarkable things, the Predictive Insights team making forecasting more accessible, and everyone working to bridge academic rigor with practical impact - thank you for making 2024 memorable. Looking ahead: 2025 will focus on expanding Predictive Insights' impact while continuing to demonstrate how quality forecasting can transform decision-making across industries. Because better predictions shouldn't just live in academic papers - they should drive better real-world outcomes.

"Why should I do a PhD in US?" You must consider this first before even looking for programs and prepare for admission. If you aren’t 100% clear about your goals, things can get pretty overwhelming  and taxing real quick. People pursue their PhD studies in the US for various reasons - maybe it's about grabbing better research opportunities, being part of top-notch universities, meeting diverse individuals from around the globe, earning money, or soaking in the American way of life. But let me tell you, if it's just about experiencing life in the US, think twice. Living in the US without your family and close friends can be a bit of a downer. You'll be juggling everything, from running errands to cooking your meals, doing your laundry, and even putting together your furniture. As Aditi Paul, PhD rightly pointed out in one of her posts, https://lnkd.in/eMjdpt5R , "Moving to the US is an extreme crash course in being independent." So, if you're not mentally prepared, it might feel less like a cool adventure and more like a tough ride. But, despite all the challenges, pursuing a PhD in the US has its perks. A friend of mine mentioned being interested in a postdoctoral opportunity under a Nobel Laureate professor. That's the kind of opportunity this country throws at you. If you ask me, why did I choose to do my PhD in the US? Well, I never even considered applying to any US universities until 2021. Not even in my wildest dreams. So, what changed? Well, that's a story for my next post!