Early Career Research Anne Harvey Content: Courtesy of Professor Alan Johnson – Research Management Services International Pty Ltd Dr Joseph Bevitt – Secretary – Royal Australian Chemistry Institute NSW

The Research Landscape As a researcher, you have unprecedented access to: Information Analysis tools Collaborative Networks Facilities But at the same time: Increased competition for funding opportunities The result: Without mentoring and guidance, you are at greater risk of reduced productivity and unnecessary career detours. PREPARE: PLAN YOUR CAREER! 2

A Guide to Early Career Research 1. Career Planning 2. Selecting a Research Discipline Area 3. Selecting a Supervisor 4. Selecting a Mentor 5. Research Collaboration 6. Networking 7. Ethics 8. Choose Your Publishing, Style, Format 9. Where to Publish 3

A Guide to Early Career Research Preparing a Grant Funding Application 11. Collaboration with Industry and Academia 12. Attending Conferences 13. Society Memberships 14. Selling Your Accomplishments 15. Curriculum Vitae 16. Applying for Fellowships 17. Applying for a Job or Promotion

Planning Your Career 1. What are your goals? 2. Where do you want to be in 5, 10, 15 years time? 3. Who do you want to work for? 4. Which field of research will you work in? 5

Planning Your Career 6 Be realistic, optimistic and ambitious By developing a plan, you have a means of defining your goals and measuring your success Work smarter, not harder

Selecting a Discipline Area Discipline areas evolve. Your original reasons for studying within a certain field may no longer apply. What are you passionate about? What are the future prospects in your field of research? Will opportunities and resources be available to you in 5 – 10 years? Assess what is likely to happen in 5 – 10 years. Don’t become restricted by what you have studied so far. Expand your research career (into related areas?) 7

Research Categories Research is divided into three broad research types: 1. Pure basic research - experimental and theoretical work often called fundamental or “blue sky” research, “knowledge for knowledge’s sake.” 2. Strategic basic research - experimental and theoretical, but often undertaken to acquire new knowledge and lead to useful discoveries or solving practical problems. 3. Applied research - original work to perhaps determine new ways of achieving specific objectives or developing new techniques. 8

Know Your Research Agenda Energy Food Future Cities Human Health Lifestyle & Recreation Raw Materials & Feedstocks Water & Air 9

Be Informed 10 www. researchtrends.com

Selecting a Supervisor Supervisors aren’t just for students. Seek the assistance, guidance and energy of senior researchers Inform them of your goals, keep them informed and learn from their management style. 11

Selecting a Mentor Free (not necessarily gratis) and open, but critical advice. A mentor does not have to be in the same field of research as you or have the same experience. A mentor should be knowledgeable about the broader research environment. And be able to provide general, personal career advice and suggestions. Executive and Business coaching and mentoring 12 "Leaders don't force people to follow - they invite them on a journey." Charles Lauer

Research Collaboration and Networking Research Collaboration should be mutually beneficial. It can provide access to: New tools Information Skills International Perspective Complementary Expertise Useful freebies Research into new areas Greater research outputs Q: Do you want to maintain a high profile in a small group or a lesser role in a larger collaboration? 13

Research Collaboration and Networking Three ways of identifying a Project and Project Partner: 1. You have a research idea and seek a partner that will be interested in supporting this research. 2. You know a potential partner (through networks) and ask if there is research that they want to undertake, but are constrained (for whatever reason) to do. 3. The potential partner is already doing something and you can add value. Be visible. 14

Research Collaboration & Networking Research Collaboration can be either short or long term Establish a strong and worthy network early. Your Network includes: PhD supervisor Research supervisor Collaborators Mentor Conference attendees Members of professional societies FOLLOW UP ON NEW LINKS 15

Ethics Maintain the highest standards! Your research must be honest, accurate and ethical. Where necessary, be aware of animal, human, bio/radiological AND business ethics. Obey your organisations rules and policies. Maintain documentation and obtain approvals. 16

Publishing Your Research Publishing demonstrates acceptance of your research by your peers Proves your ability to generate outcomes to potential grant funders or new employers Quality or quantity? Low or high impact journal? RQF and/or ERA = Visibility, impact Conference proceeding, book or article - will you complete additional research in the field? 17

Additional Sources – Where to Publish? Journal Analyzer on Scopus 18

Journal Analyzer on Scopus Metrics: Citations, Articles Published, Trend Line = ‘Relative Impact’, % Not Cited 19

Additional Sources – Where to Publish? SCimajo Journal Rank 20

SCimago Journal Indicators 21

SCimago Co-Citation Networks 22

SCimago – Country Map Generator 23

SCimago – Compare Country Research Output 24

Charting a Course for a Successful Research Career Professor Alan M Johnson AM Research Management Services International Pty Ltd 25