The Researcher Juggling Act: Navigating Academic Performance and Life Challenges
Speakers:
Paola Carrillo-Bustamante, Partnership and Lead Project Manager at Robert Koch Institute
Hanna Sänger, Mental Health Coach at Goodthoughts Coaching
Sam Sanders, Postdoc at Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Moderation: Birte Seffert
Key Messages:
Parenthood, care work, toxic work environments, mental health, and illness are life’s challenges researchers might juggle while having to constantly perform on their way up the career ladder. Our guests talked about these challenges – and about choosing a career outside of academia as a consequence.
Academia is not best known for a good life-work balance – and it doesn’t get much better until you get to one of the few permanent positions. “It’s a lifestyle”, one speaker said. which you have to be aware of. Speakers also stressed the importance of a support network and – if you have a partner – that she/he is on board.
Yet, the work-life balance also depends on the field and discipline, and how much funding is available at your lab, group or chair. With money, it’s much easier to hire a helping hand or to get an extension if there is a need.
Also, the passion many researchers have towards their jobs poses the risk of being exploited – or self-exploit. In jobs outside of academia, it seems much easier to set boundaries, to get support and to leave the job behind once you leave the office.
»PhD students should be treated with much more respect. If they are happy they might stay in the field and do great science. It an advantage to have content people working on a project for a long period – because everyone will profit if people are happy in their work environment.« – Hanna Sänger
There was optimism amongst our speakers: Hanna sees more awareness and self-care in the younger generation of (female) academics. Sam experienced support on the individual level, and Paola recommended looking at countries such as the Netherlands, where it is encouraged on the institutional level that researchers work less and get structural support. So there are good examples that German institutions and leaders can learn from.
Helpful tips:
→ Before getting into a new academic position:
- Ask around: What is the reputation of the lab/group/institute/university? How is the work environment? – Finding former or current employees on LinkedIn or contacting people from your own country at that institution can be a good option, as is talking to (PhD) students and other Postdocs
- Ask good questions during an interview: How do you work together? How often do you meet? What support and services does this institution have to offer? How would you describe the working culture and leadership style?
- You don’t have to take the first offer – choose what feels right for you and make informed decisions
→ For your health and well-being (and that of your family):
- Know your value – and be mindful of your values in your personal and professional life
- Reflect on what you want from life, work, from your career, and as a person – and be truthful to it
- Set boundaries
- Build yourself a network (also outside of university!) – friends, a peer group (e.g. other parents or people in the same situation), persons of professional interest to you etc. – for support and for giving you perspectives beyond the academic bubble
- Look out for allies and confidants with whom you can discuss your life´s challenges and find solutions
- if you have a partner – get them on board
→ To support each other at work:
- Be mindful of the people around you, show interest in them and their personal lives – and thereby make a difference in academia
- Meet your team more often – an online daily to check in with your colleagues can be a good option: How is everyone doing? Is there anything where you can support each other?
→ How to deal with disruptive episodes and gaps in your CV:
- Own up to it, frame it in a good way, be as transparent as you
- If a gap for good reasons is seen as a problem by a potential employer – would you want to work there?
- Try a CV along functions and skills instead of chronological ones to set the right focus
»Every field should have a Journal of Negative Results – because we are making the same mistakes all over again – it would save so many working hours.« – Sam Sanders