Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[a . perrakis]

Dear all,

There are two separate issues at hand:

1. the hints towards heavy work load, perhaps the contradiction between 
independence and team work, etc, are thing you can sort out if the actual job 
interests you. These might be phrases that ended up there out of inexperience 
or due to a bad template. If you are qualified and like the job, apply, and if 
you make it to the interview remember that you are interviewing your future PI 
as much as they interview you. Make choices that fit.

2. the short duration of many contracts is often due to the inflexibility of 
granting agencies or the actual short-term grants that are often awarded. Lots 
of PIs are against that, and many of us argue against this reality, often. 
Awareness of the issues, like perpetual 6-month contracts that keep people in 
“limbo” is important, and in some countries some practices are legally 
forbidden (e.g. at NL, a maximum of two contracts is possible, and at least a 
year is needed). It is a real issue, but often is not imposed by the PI to the 
Post-doc or the PhD student, but is imposed to the PIs by our “masters” that 
control finances and ultimately reside outside academia. Remember Murphy's 
Golden Rule: the one that has the gold, makes the rules.

I understand that in the current environment where jobs are scarce and the 
field is saturated, this creates a lot of stress, and such “complaints” are 
important so we all reflect a bit on our hiring practices and on respecting the 
members of our teams.

Last but not least, remember that a main source of stress in academia, is the 
lack of metrics of success. The medical doctor, a supermarket clerk, a car 
mechanic, all have very well established metrics of success. If all your 
patients keep dying, the cash balance is always off, the cars you repair keep 
breaking down, you are doing something wrong. If not, you are a success. This 
lack of metric of success, or worse the adoption of insufficient or 
inappropriate metrics of success, make our job stressful. So, the only thing I 
would disagree with Nick is that success is rewarded with perpetual impending 
employment every two+ years … we tend to reward persistence, consistency, and 
motivation, whenever possible: and that is in some ways not even an entirely 
bad thing.

Best regards,

Tassos


On 22 Jan 2021, at 10:53, Pearce, N.M. (Nick) 
mailto:n.m.pea...@uu.nl>> wrote:

Academia, one of the only careers where _success_ is rewarded with perpetual 
impending employment every two+ years.

Nick

On 22 Jan 2021, at 08:25, Eleanor Dodson 
<176a9d5ebad7-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk>
 wrote:

It is a long time since I had any practical concerns with this issue, but some 
funding bodies are more flexible than others. Welcome gives project grants then 
leaves it up to the recipient to hire and plan. And I guess the big research 
institutes like the crick and lmb have similar systems. It is obvious that this 
approach is much more productive than the shorter term grants - is there any 
mileage in someone doing a survey of “outcomes”(horrible word) and pointing out 
that productivity increases with more security?
And as for the national scandal of milking money fir visas from those who come 
here from abroad - already saving us from the cost of their education - I don’t 
know what to say!
Eleanor

On Fri, 22 Jan 2021 at 07:11, Frank von Delft 
mailto:frank.vonde...@cmd.ox.ac.uk>> wrote:
For me as hiring PI, what's repeatedly dismaying is that it's our funders and 
universities that set the terms, and only with extreme creativity can one shift 
the dial, and only on indidual recruitments, certainly not the high politics of 
the system as a whole.

No, I don't know what will break this - it exploits our fundamental weakness, 
that we go into science because we want to do it, and are already investiging 
all our energy at convincing a system that something else is worth doing 
(getting our mad science funded at all) -- so things like collective striking 
or unionising don't really come naturally.

I do hope the next wave of scientists (am I that old already?) have some 
aggressively constructive thoughts, because mine and the one before mine sure 
don't.


Frank



On 20/01/2021 23:38, Navdeep Sidhu wrote:

Dear Gerlind, Markus, All:

Well, sometimes the (written) promise of a 2-year contract also ends up
boiling down systematically (for some PIs) to only a 6-month contract
after all.--And that after you've spent half a year or more and multiple
trips to the country concerned trying to get a work visa and housing,
all at your own expense--particularly tough for migrants and their families:

"Many come here with a promise of a two-year contract, which later turns
out to be a six month scholarship, which is renewed six months at a
time. Many feel that they have been fooled."
 - From Palle Liljebaeck. "Postdoctoral fellows at KI must be given
better terms." Naturvetarna (Sweden), 

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Jan Dohnalek]

Perhaps I should have finished that sentence. I meant
"If you do your work well, you will get more  work”

Yes, ideal: "If you trust me (director/uni/government/grant provider
...whoever gives the funds) give me space, money AND infrastructure, i.e.
good admin! including, for 5 or 10 years ..."
Fineprint - assuming nobody asks for reports, further applications, silly
record tables, appraisal documents, in that period ..

Back to real world.

Jan




On Fri, Jan 22, 2021 at 11:49 AM Pearce, N.M. (Nick) 
wrote:

> "If you do your work well, you will get more ..” Is a nice ideal, but I
> don’t think it factors in the real-life factors such as administrative
> burden (i.e. wasted time), mental-health effects and frankly, random
> chance. Does anyone enjoy applying for grants/jobs? Does it
> improve their lives/productivity? Does it improve the science? I suspect
> (more accurately, I’m damned sure that) I would have been much more
> productive over the last couple of years if I hadn’t been constantly
> worried about missing the next hurdle (ironically making it all the more
> likely that I _would_ miss the hurdle!). On top of that, I could have
> enjoyed such lofty ambitions as “thinking about buying a house and starting
> a family” which is difficult when you don’t have career stability over
> longer than 1-2 years.
>
> I would also consider amending the statement to "If you do your work well,
> you _might_ get more ..”.
>
> It seems to me a lot of time and energy could be saved by skipping the
> biennial/triennial re-employment ritual/lottery, and if I am lucky enough
> to ever make it to the point where I am able to employ people, I hope I
> remember how thoroughly miserable the experience of this purgatory has made
> me, and make the effort to employ my staff on reasonable contract lengths
> (i.e. for as long as possible), and petition to funding bodies to change
> their policies. For instance, if the Wellcome Trust now leaves it up to
> the project leader to decide such things, as Eleanor has stated, they
> should absolutely be applauded for that.
>
> After all, as Frank said, we do this for the science, and it shouldn’t
> need to include personal sacrifice.
>
> Nick
>
> On 22 Jan 2021, at 11:18, Pearce, N.M. (Nick)  wrote:
>
> Meant to write “perpetual impending unemployment”.
>
> Thanks,
> Nick
>
> On 22 Jan 2021, at 11:02, Jan Dohnalek  wrote:
>
> 
> On Fri, Jan 22, 2021 at 10:54 AM Pearce, N.M. (Nick) 
> wrote:
>
>> Academia, one of the only careers where _success_ is rewarded with
>> perpetual impending employment every two+ years.
>>
>> Which translates "If you do your work well, you will get more .."
>
> Jan
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> Nick
>>
>> On 22 Jan 2021, at 08:25, Eleanor Dodson <
>> 176a9d5ebad7-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk> wrote:
>>
>> It is a long time since I had any practical concerns with this issue, but
>> some funding bodies are more flexible than others. Welcome gives project
>> grants then leaves it up to the recipient to hire and plan. And I guess the
>> big research institutes like the crick and lmb have similar systems. It is
>> obvious that this approach is much more productive than the shorter term
>> grants - is there any mileage in someone doing a survey of
>> “outcomes”(horrible word) and pointing out that productivity increases with
>> more security?
>> And as for the national scandal of milking money fir visas from those who
>> come here from abroad - already saving us from the cost of their education
>> - I don’t know what to say!
>> Eleanor
>>
>> On Fri, 22 Jan 2021 at 07:11, Frank von Delft <
>> frank.vonde...@cmd.ox.ac.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> For me as hiring PI, what's repeatedly dismaying is that it's our
>>> funders and universities that set the terms, and only with extreme
>>> creativity can one shift the dial, and only on indidual recruitments,
>>> certainly not the high politics of the system as a whole.
>>>
>>> No, I don't know what will break this - it exploits our fundamental
>>> weakness, that we go into science because we *want* to do it, and are
>>> already investiging all our energy at convincing a system that something
>>> else is worth doing (getting our mad science funded at all) -- so things
>>> like collective striking or unionising don't really come naturally.
>>>
>>> I do hope the next wave of scientists (am I that old already?) have some
>>> aggressively constructive thoughts, because mine and the one before mine
>>> sure don't.
>>>
>>>
>>> Frank
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 20/01/2021 23:38, Navdeep Sidhu wrote:
>>>
>>> Dear Gerlind, Markus, All:
>>>
>>> Well, sometimes the (written) promise of a 2-year contract also ends up
>>> boiling down systematically (for some PIs) to only a 6-month contract
>>> after all.--And that after you've spent half a year or more and multiple
>>> trips to the country concerned trying to get a work visa and housing,
>>> all at your own expense--particularly tough for migrants and their families:
>>>
>>> "Many come here with a 

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Pearce, N.M. (Nick)]

"If you do your work well, you will get more ..” Is a nice ideal, but I don’t 
think it factors in the real-life factors such as administrative burden (i.e. 
wasted time), mental-health effects and frankly, random chance. Does anyone 
enjoy applying for grants/jobs? Does it improve their lives/productivity? Does 
it improve the science? I suspect (more accurately, I’m damned sure that) I 
would have been much more productive over the last couple of years if I hadn’t 
been constantly worried about missing the next hurdle (ironically making it all 
the more likely that I _would_ miss the hurdle!). On top of that, I could have 
enjoyed such lofty ambitions as “thinking about buying a house and starting a 
family” which is difficult when you don’t have career stability over longer 
than 1-2 years.

I would also consider amending the statement to "If you do your work well, you 
_might_ get more ..”.

It seems to me a lot of time and energy could be saved by skipping the 
biennial/triennial re-employment ritual/lottery, and if I am lucky enough to 
ever make it to the point where I am able to employ people, I hope I remember 
how thoroughly miserable the experience of this purgatory has made me, and make 
the effort to employ my staff on reasonable contract lengths (i.e. for as long 
as possible), and petition to funding bodies to change their policies. For 
instance, if the Wellcome Trust now leaves it up to the project leader to 
decide such things, as Eleanor has stated, they should absolutely be applauded 
for that.

After all, as Frank said, we do this for the science, and it shouldn’t need to 
include personal sacrifice.

Nick

On 22 Jan 2021, at 11:18, Pearce, N.M. (Nick) 
mailto:n.m.pea...@uu.nl>> wrote:

Meant to write “perpetual impending unemployment”.

Thanks,
Nick

On 22 Jan 2021, at 11:02, Jan Dohnalek 
mailto:dohnalek...@gmail.com>> wrote:


On Fri, Jan 22, 2021 at 10:54 AM Pearce, N.M. (Nick) 
mailto:n.m.pea...@uu.nl>> wrote:
Academia, one of the only careers where _success_ is rewarded with perpetual 
impending employment every two+ years.

Which translates "If you do your work well, you will get more .."

Jan





Nick

On 22 Jan 2021, at 08:25, Eleanor Dodson 
<176a9d5ebad7-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk>
 wrote:

It is a long time since I had any practical concerns with this issue, but some 
funding bodies are more flexible than others. Welcome gives project grants then 
leaves it up to the recipient to hire and plan. And I guess the big research 
institutes like the crick and lmb have similar systems. It is obvious that this 
approach is much more productive than the shorter term grants - is there any 
mileage in someone doing a survey of “outcomes”(horrible word) and pointing out 
that productivity increases with more security?
And as for the national scandal of milking money fir visas from those who come 
here from abroad - already saving us from the cost of their education - I don’t 
know what to say!
Eleanor

On Fri, 22 Jan 2021 at 07:11, Frank von Delft 
mailto:frank.vonde...@cmd.ox.ac.uk>> wrote:
For me as hiring PI, what's repeatedly dismaying is that it's our funders and 
universities that set the terms, and only with extreme creativity can one shift 
the dial, and only on indidual recruitments, certainly not the high politics of 
the system as a whole.

No, I don't know what will break this - it exploits our fundamental weakness, 
that we go into science because we want to do it, and are already investiging 
all our energy at convincing a system that something else is worth doing 
(getting our mad science funded at all) -- so things like collective striking 
or unionising don't really come naturally.

I do hope the next wave of scientists (am I that old already?) have some 
aggressively constructive thoughts, because mine and the one before mine sure 
don't.


Frank



On 20/01/2021 23:38, Navdeep Sidhu wrote:

Dear Gerlind, Markus, All:

Well, sometimes the (written) promise of a 2-year contract also ends up
boiling down systematically (for some PIs) to only a 6-month contract
after all.--And that after you've spent half a year or more and multiple
trips to the country concerned trying to get a work visa and housing,
all at your own expense--particularly tough for migrants and their families:

"Many come here with a promise of a two-year contract, which later turns
out to be a six month scholarship, which is renewed six months at a
time. Many feel that they have been fooled."
 - From Palle Liljebaeck. "Postdoctoral fellows at KI must be given
better terms." Naturvetarna (Sweden), Nov. 7, 2013
.

(By the way, work contracts often entail health, pension and other

[ccp4bb] AW: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Hughes, Jonathan]

the translation is, of course, fake.
jon

Von: CCP4 bulletin board  Im Auftrag von Jan Dohnalek
Gesendet: Freitag, 22. Januar 2021 11:02
An: CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK
Betreff: Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

On Fri, Jan 22, 2021 at 10:54 AM Pearce, N.M. (Nick) 
mailto:n.m.pea...@uu.nl>> wrote:
Academia, one of the only careers where _success_ is rewarded with perpetual 
impending employment every two+ years.

Which translates "If you do your work well, you will get more .."

Jan





Nick


On 22 Jan 2021, at 08:25, Eleanor Dodson 
<176a9d5ebad7-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk<mailto:176a9d5ebad7-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk>>
 wrote:

It is a long time since I had any practical concerns with this issue, but some 
funding bodies are more flexible than others. Welcome gives project grants then 
leaves it up to the recipient to hire and plan. And I guess the big research 
institutes like the crick and lmb have similar systems. It is obvious that this 
approach is much more productive than the shorter term grants - is there any 
mileage in someone doing a survey of “outcomes”(horrible word) and pointing out 
that productivity increases with more security?
And as for the national scandal of milking money fir visas from those who come 
here from abroad - already saving us from the cost of their education - I don’t 
know what to say!
Eleanor

On Fri, 22 Jan 2021 at 07:11, Frank von Delft 
mailto:frank.vonde...@cmd.ox.ac.uk>> wrote:
For me as hiring PI, what's repeatedly dismaying is that it's our funders and 
universities that set the terms, and only with extreme creativity can one shift 
the dial, and only on indidual recruitments, certainly not the high politics of 
the system as a whole.

No, I don't know what will break this - it exploits our fundamental weakness, 
that we go into science because we want to do it, and are already investiging 
all our energy at convincing a system that something else is worth doing 
(getting our mad science funded at all) -- so things like collective striking 
or unionising don't really come naturally.

I do hope the next wave of scientists (am I that old already?) have some 
aggressively constructive thoughts, because mine and the one before mine sure 
don't.


Frank


On 20/01/2021 23:38, Navdeep Sidhu wrote:

Dear Gerlind, Markus, All:



Well, sometimes the (written) promise of a 2-year contract also ends up

boiling down systematically (for some PIs) to only a 6-month contract

after all.--And that after you've spent half a year or more and multiple

trips to the country concerned trying to get a work visa and housing,

all at your own expense--particularly tough for migrants and their families:



"Many come here with a promise of a two-year contract, which later turns

out to be a six month scholarship, which is renewed six months at a

time. Many feel that they have been fooled."

 - From Palle Liljebaeck. "Postdoctoral fellows at KI must be given

better terms." Naturvetarna (Sweden), Nov. 7, 2013

<https://www.naturvetarna.se/vi-erbjuder/tidning-och-nyheter/2013/nr-4-2013/Postdoctoral-fellows-at-KI-must-be-given-better-terms/><https://www.naturvetarna.se/vi-erbjuder/tidning-och-nyheter/2013/nr-4-2013/Postdoctoral-fellows-at-KI-must-be-given-better-terms/>.



(By the way, work contracts often entail health, pension and other

benefits which may be limited or unavailable on a scholarship.)



Fortunately, many PIs don't agree with such practices. But they do

occur, including unfortunately for jobs advertized on the CCP4 bulletin

board--and so perhaps the IUCr or other institutions can help set better

standards.



Cheers,

Navdeep





---

On 20.01.21 22:34, Gerlind Sulzenbacher wrote:

Dear Markus,



thank you for opening this discussion.



I'd like to add that in some countries, like France, where I work, this

goes often along with with 12 months contracts.

Imagine moving continent, eventually with family (yes, PostDocs happen

to have a family) just for a 12 months contract, under the conditions

you mentioned.

Sad, as you said, ... and I am quite sure that it has not always been

like that.

I wish all members of the BB a good mood,

Best,

gerlind





On 20/01/2021 21:48, Markus Heckmann wrote:

Dear PI s, and senior scientists' involved in recruitment,



Why do so many (especially postdoc) positions these days indicate:



Readiness for high workload

able to work independently but also effectively and collaboratively

with other lab member

Candidates should have a documented publication record in

peer-reviewed journals, able to work both independently and as an

effective team member.

Do the candidates need to subtly understand that they need to work on

weekends or holidays? And what does it mean by independently and

collaboratively at the same time. Or is this a template from HR

departments.



Was it always like this in science world or 

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Pearce, N.M. (Nick)]

Meant to write “perpetual impending unemployment”.

Thanks,
Nick

On 22 Jan 2021, at 11:02, Jan Dohnalek  wrote:


On Fri, Jan 22, 2021 at 10:54 AM Pearce, N.M. (Nick) 
mailto:n.m.pea...@uu.nl>> wrote:
Academia, one of the only careers where _success_ is rewarded with perpetual 
impending employment every two+ years.

Which translates "If you do your work well, you will get more .."

Jan





Nick

On 22 Jan 2021, at 08:25, Eleanor Dodson 
<176a9d5ebad7-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk>
 wrote:

It is a long time since I had any practical concerns with this issue, but some 
funding bodies are more flexible than others. Welcome gives project grants then 
leaves it up to the recipient to hire and plan. And I guess the big research 
institutes like the crick and lmb have similar systems. It is obvious that this 
approach is much more productive than the shorter term grants - is there any 
mileage in someone doing a survey of “outcomes”(horrible word) and pointing out 
that productivity increases with more security?
And as for the national scandal of milking money fir visas from those who come 
here from abroad - already saving us from the cost of their education - I don’t 
know what to say!
Eleanor

On Fri, 22 Jan 2021 at 07:11, Frank von Delft 
mailto:frank.vonde...@cmd.ox.ac.uk>> wrote:
For me as hiring PI, what's repeatedly dismaying is that it's our funders and 
universities that set the terms, and only with extreme creativity can one shift 
the dial, and only on indidual recruitments, certainly not the high politics of 
the system as a whole.

No, I don't know what will break this - it exploits our fundamental weakness, 
that we go into science because we want to do it, and are already investiging 
all our energy at convincing a system that something else is worth doing 
(getting our mad science funded at all) -- so things like collective striking 
or unionising don't really come naturally.

I do hope the next wave of scientists (am I that old already?) have some 
aggressively constructive thoughts, because mine and the one before mine sure 
don't.


Frank



On 20/01/2021 23:38, Navdeep Sidhu wrote:

Dear Gerlind, Markus, All:

Well, sometimes the (written) promise of a 2-year contract also ends up
boiling down systematically (for some PIs) to only a 6-month contract
after all.--And that after you've spent half a year or more and multiple
trips to the country concerned trying to get a work visa and housing,
all at your own expense--particularly tough for migrants and their families:

"Many come here with a promise of a two-year contract, which later turns
out to be a six month scholarship, which is renewed six months at a
time. Many feel that they have been fooled."
 - From Palle Liljebaeck. "Postdoctoral fellows at KI must be given
better terms." Naturvetarna (Sweden), Nov. 7, 2013
.

(By the way, work contracts often entail health, pension and other
benefits which may be limited or unavailable on a scholarship.)

Fortunately, many PIs don't agree with such practices. But they do
occur, including unfortunately for jobs advertized on the CCP4 bulletin
board--and so perhaps the IUCr or other institutions can help set better
standards.

Cheers,
Navdeep


---
On 20.01.21 22:34, Gerlind Sulzenbacher wrote:


Dear Markus,

thank you for opening this discussion.

I'd like to add that in some countries, like France, where I work, this
goes often along with with 12 months contracts.
Imagine moving continent, eventually with family (yes, PostDocs happen
to have a family) just for a 12 months contract, under the conditions
you mentioned.
Sad, as you said, ... and I am quite sure that it has not always been
like that.
I wish all members of the BB a good mood,
Best,
gerlind


On 20/01/2021 21:48, Markus Heckmann wrote:


Dear PI s, and senior scientists' involved in recruitment,

Why do so many (especially postdoc) positions these days indicate:



Readiness for high workload
able to work independently but also effectively and collaboratively
with other lab member
Candidates should have a documented publication record in
peer-reviewed journals, able to work both independently and as an
effective team member.


Do the candidates need to subtly understand that they need to work on
weekends or holidays? And what does it mean by independently and
collaboratively at the same time. Or is this a template from HR
departments.

Was it always like this in science world or we too need to work like
amazon warehouse workers (you can google it and see the pain)?

Saddened...

Mark
(not trying to point out any single PI/person but overall it is the
same words repeated...)





We are opening a new position for an 

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Jan Dohnalek]

On Fri, Jan 22, 2021 at 10:54 AM Pearce, N.M. (Nick) 
wrote:

> Academia, one of the only careers where _success_ is rewarded with
> perpetual impending employment every two+ years.
>
> Which translates "If you do your work well, you will get more .."

Jan






> Nick
>
> On 22 Jan 2021, at 08:25, Eleanor Dodson <
> 176a9d5ebad7-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk> wrote:
>
> It is a long time since I had any practical concerns with this issue, but
> some funding bodies are more flexible than others. Welcome gives project
> grants then leaves it up to the recipient to hire and plan. And I guess the
> big research institutes like the crick and lmb have similar systems. It is
> obvious that this approach is much more productive than the shorter term
> grants - is there any mileage in someone doing a survey of
> “outcomes”(horrible word) and pointing out that productivity increases with
> more security?
> And as for the national scandal of milking money fir visas from those who
> come here from abroad - already saving us from the cost of their education
> - I don’t know what to say!
> Eleanor
>
> On Fri, 22 Jan 2021 at 07:11, Frank von Delft 
> wrote:
>
>> For me as hiring PI, what's repeatedly dismaying is that it's our funders
>> and universities that set the terms, and only with extreme creativity can
>> one shift the dial, and only on indidual recruitments, certainly not the
>> high politics of the system as a whole.
>>
>> No, I don't know what will break this - it exploits our fundamental
>> weakness, that we go into science because we *want* to do it, and are
>> already investiging all our energy at convincing a system that something
>> else is worth doing (getting our mad science funded at all) -- so things
>> like collective striking or unionising don't really come naturally.
>>
>> I do hope the next wave of scientists (am I that old already?) have some
>> aggressively constructive thoughts, because mine and the one before mine
>> sure don't.
>>
>>
>> Frank
>>
>>
>>
>> On 20/01/2021 23:38, Navdeep Sidhu wrote:
>>
>> Dear Gerlind, Markus, All:
>>
>> Well, sometimes the (written) promise of a 2-year contract also ends up
>> boiling down systematically (for some PIs) to only a 6-month contract
>> after all.--And that after you've spent half a year or more and multiple
>> trips to the country concerned trying to get a work visa and housing,
>> all at your own expense--particularly tough for migrants and their families:
>>
>> "Many come here with a promise of a two-year contract, which later turns
>> out to be a six month scholarship, which is renewed six months at a
>> time. Many feel that they have been fooled."
>>  - From Palle Liljebaeck. "Postdoctoral fellows at KI must be given
>> better terms." Naturvetarna (Sweden), Nov. 7, 
>> 2013
>>  
>> .
>>
>> (By the way, work contracts often entail health, pension and other
>> benefits which may be limited or unavailable on a scholarship.)
>>
>> Fortunately, many PIs don't agree with such practices. But they do
>> occur, including unfortunately for jobs advertized on the CCP4 bulletin
>> board--and so perhaps the IUCr or other institutions can help set better
>> standards.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Navdeep
>>
>>
>> ---
>> On 20.01.21 22:34, Gerlind Sulzenbacher wrote:
>>
>> Dear Markus,
>>
>> thank you for opening this discussion.
>>
>> I'd like to add that in some countries, like France, where I work, this
>> goes often along with with 12 months contracts.
>> Imagine moving continent, eventually with family (yes, PostDocs happen
>> to have a family) just for a 12 months contract, under the conditions
>> you mentioned.
>> Sad, as you said, ... and I am quite sure that it has not always been
>> like that.
>> I wish all members of the BB a good mood,
>> Best,
>> gerlind
>>
>>
>> On 20/01/2021 21:48, Markus Heckmann wrote:
>>
>> Dear PI s, and senior scientists' involved in recruitment,
>>
>> Why do so many (especially postdoc) positions these days indicate:
>>
>>
>> Readiness for high workload
>> able to work independently but also effectively and collaboratively
>> with other lab member
>> Candidates should have a documented publication record in
>> peer-reviewed journals, able to work both independently and as an
>> effective team member.
>>
>> Do the candidates need to subtly understand that they need to work on
>> weekends or holidays? And what does it mean by independently and
>> collaboratively at the same time. Or is this a template from HR
>> departments.
>>
>> Was it always like this in science world or we too need to work like
>> amazon warehouse workers (you can google it and see the pain)?
>>
>> Saddened...
>>
>> Mark
>> (not trying to point out any single PI/person but overall it is the
>> same words 

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Pearce, N.M. (Nick)]

Academia, one of the only careers where _success_ is rewarded with perpetual 
impending employment every two+ years.

Nick

On 22 Jan 2021, at 08:25, Eleanor Dodson 
<176a9d5ebad7-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk>
 wrote:

It is a long time since I had any practical concerns with this issue, but some 
funding bodies are more flexible than others. Welcome gives project grants then 
leaves it up to the recipient to hire and plan. And I guess the big research 
institutes like the crick and lmb have similar systems. It is obvious that this 
approach is much more productive than the shorter term grants - is there any 
mileage in someone doing a survey of “outcomes”(horrible word) and pointing out 
that productivity increases with more security?
And as for the national scandal of milking money fir visas from those who come 
here from abroad - already saving us from the cost of their education - I don’t 
know what to say!
Eleanor

On Fri, 22 Jan 2021 at 07:11, Frank von Delft 
mailto:frank.vonde...@cmd.ox.ac.uk>> wrote:
For me as hiring PI, what's repeatedly dismaying is that it's our funders and 
universities that set the terms, and only with extreme creativity can one shift 
the dial, and only on indidual recruitments, certainly not the high politics of 
the system as a whole.

No, I don't know what will break this - it exploits our fundamental weakness, 
that we go into science because we want to do it, and are already investiging 
all our energy at convincing a system that something else is worth doing 
(getting our mad science funded at all) -- so things like collective striking 
or unionising don't really come naturally.

I do hope the next wave of scientists (am I that old already?) have some 
aggressively constructive thoughts, because mine and the one before mine sure 
don't.


Frank



On 20/01/2021 23:38, Navdeep Sidhu wrote:

Dear Gerlind, Markus, All:

Well, sometimes the (written) promise of a 2-year contract also ends up
boiling down systematically (for some PIs) to only a 6-month contract
after all.--And that after you've spent half a year or more and multiple
trips to the country concerned trying to get a work visa and housing,
all at your own expense--particularly tough for migrants and their families:

"Many come here with a promise of a two-year contract, which later turns
out to be a six month scholarship, which is renewed six months at a
time. Many feel that they have been fooled."
 - From Palle Liljebaeck. "Postdoctoral fellows at KI must be given
better terms." Naturvetarna (Sweden), Nov. 7, 2013
.

(By the way, work contracts often entail health, pension and other
benefits which may be limited or unavailable on a scholarship.)

Fortunately, many PIs don't agree with such practices. But they do
occur, including unfortunately for jobs advertized on the CCP4 bulletin
board--and so perhaps the IUCr or other institutions can help set better
standards.

Cheers,
Navdeep


---
On 20.01.21 22:34, Gerlind Sulzenbacher wrote:


Dear Markus,

thank you for opening this discussion.

I'd like to add that in some countries, like France, where I work, this
goes often along with with 12 months contracts.
Imagine moving continent, eventually with family (yes, PostDocs happen
to have a family) just for a 12 months contract, under the conditions
you mentioned.
Sad, as you said, ... and I am quite sure that it has not always been
like that.
I wish all members of the BB a good mood,
Best,
gerlind


On 20/01/2021 21:48, Markus Heckmann wrote:


Dear PI s, and senior scientists' involved in recruitment,

Why do so many (especially postdoc) positions these days indicate:



Readiness for high workload
able to work independently but also effectively and collaboratively
with other lab member
Candidates should have a documented publication record in
peer-reviewed journals, able to work both independently and as an
effective team member.


Do the candidates need to subtly understand that they need to work on
weekends or holidays? And what does it mean by independently and
collaboratively at the same time. Or is this a template from HR
departments.

Was it always like this in science world or we too need to work like
amazon warehouse workers (you can google it and see the pain)?

Saddened...

Mark
(not trying to point out any single PI/person but overall it is the
same words repeated...)





We are opening a new position for an upcoming European project.

*We are looking for an expert in scientific programming with
experience in
scientific data processing for a European project focused on
Standards for
Data Archival and Exploitation. *

Job description:

We offer attractive work connected to development of 

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Eleanor Dodson]

It is a long time since I had any practical concerns with this issue, but
some funding bodies are more flexible than others. Welcome gives project
grants then leaves it up to the recipient to hire and plan. And I guess the
big research institutes like the crick and lmb have similar systems. It is
obvious that this approach is much more productive than the shorter term
grants - is there any mileage in someone doing a survey of
“outcomes”(horrible word) and pointing out that productivity increases with
more security?
And as for the national scandal of milking money fir visas from those who
come here from abroad - already saving us from the cost of their education
- I don’t know what to say!
Eleanor

On Fri, 22 Jan 2021 at 07:11, Frank von Delft 
wrote:

> For me as hiring PI, what's repeatedly dismaying is that it's our funders
> and universities that set the terms, and only with extreme creativity can
> one shift the dial, and only on indidual recruitments, certainly not the
> high politics of the system as a whole.
>
> No, I don't know what will break this - it exploits our fundamental
> weakness, that we go into science because we *want* to do it, and are
> already investiging all our energy at convincing a system that something
> else is worth doing (getting our mad science funded at all) -- so things
> like collective striking or unionising don't really come naturally.
>
> I do hope the next wave of scientists (am I that old already?) have some
> aggressively constructive thoughts, because mine and the one before mine
> sure don't.
>
>
> Frank
>
>
>
> On 20/01/2021 23:38, Navdeep Sidhu wrote:
>
> Dear Gerlind, Markus, All:
>
> Well, sometimes the (written) promise of a 2-year contract also ends up
> boiling down systematically (for some PIs) to only a 6-month contract
> after all.--And that after you've spent half a year or more and multiple
> trips to the country concerned trying to get a work visa and housing,
> all at your own expense--particularly tough for migrants and their families:
>
> "Many come here with a promise of a two-year contract, which later turns
> out to be a six month scholarship, which is renewed six months at a
> time. Many feel that they have been fooled."
>  - From Palle Liljebaeck. "Postdoctoral fellows at KI must be given
> better terms." Naturvetarna (Sweden), Nov. 7, 
> 2013
>  
> .
>
> (By the way, work contracts often entail health, pension and other
> benefits which may be limited or unavailable on a scholarship.)
>
> Fortunately, many PIs don't agree with such practices. But they do
> occur, including unfortunately for jobs advertized on the CCP4 bulletin
> board--and so perhaps the IUCr or other institutions can help set better
> standards.
>
> Cheers,
> Navdeep
>
>
> ---
> On 20.01.21 22:34, Gerlind Sulzenbacher wrote:
>
> Dear Markus,
>
> thank you for opening this discussion.
>
> I'd like to add that in some countries, like France, where I work, this
> goes often along with with 12 months contracts.
> Imagine moving continent, eventually with family (yes, PostDocs happen
> to have a family) just for a 12 months contract, under the conditions
> you mentioned.
> Sad, as you said, ... and I am quite sure that it has not always been
> like that.
> I wish all members of the BB a good mood,
> Best,
> gerlind
>
>
> On 20/01/2021 21:48, Markus Heckmann wrote:
>
> Dear PI s, and senior scientists' involved in recruitment,
>
> Why do so many (especially postdoc) positions these days indicate:
>
>
> Readiness for high workload
> able to work independently but also effectively and collaboratively
> with other lab member
> Candidates should have a documented publication record in
> peer-reviewed journals, able to work both independently and as an
> effective team member.
>
> Do the candidates need to subtly understand that they need to work on
> weekends or holidays? And what does it mean by independently and
> collaboratively at the same time. Or is this a template from HR
> departments.
>
> Was it always like this in science world or we too need to work like
> amazon warehouse workers (you can google it and see the pain)?
>
> Saddened...
>
> Mark
> (not trying to point out any single PI/person but overall it is the
> same words repeated...)
>
>
>
>
> We are opening a new position for an upcoming European project.
>
> *We are looking for an expert in scientific programming with
> experience in
> scientific data processing for a European project focused on
> Standards for
> Data Archival and Exploitation. *
>
> Job description:
>
> We offer attractive work connected to development of data management
> infrastructure for biophysical data in the frame of an international
> project at the Institute of Biotechnology in the 

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Frank von Delft]

For me as hiring PI, what's repeatedly dismaying is that it's our 
funders and universities that set the terms, and only with extreme 
creativity can one shift the dial, and only on indidual recruitments, 
certainly not the high politics of the system as a whole.


No, I don't know what will break this - it exploits our fundamental 
weakness, that we go into science because we /want/ to do it, and are 
already investiging all our energy at convincing a system that something 
else is worth doing (getting our mad science funded at all) -- so things 
like collective striking or unionising don't really come naturally.


I do hope the next wave of scientists (am I that old already?) have some 
aggressively constructive thoughts, because mine and the one before mine 
sure don't.


Frank



On 20/01/2021 23:38, Navdeep Sidhu wrote:

Dear Gerlind, Markus, All:

Well, sometimes the (written) promise of a 2-year contract also ends up
boiling down systematically (for some PIs) to only a 6-month contract
after all.--And that after you've spent half a year or more and multiple
trips to the country concerned trying to get a work visa and housing,
all at your own expense--particularly tough for migrants and their families:

"Many come here with a promise of a two-year contract, which later turns
out to be a six month scholarship, which is renewed six months at a
time. Many feel that they have been fooled."
  - From Palle Liljebaeck. "Postdoctoral fellows at KI must be given
better terms." Naturvetarna (Sweden), Nov. 7, 2013
.

(By the way, work contracts often entail health, pension and other
benefits which may be limited or unavailable on a scholarship.)

Fortunately, many PIs don't agree with such practices. But they do
occur, including unfortunately for jobs advertized on the CCP4 bulletin
board--and so perhaps the IUCr or other institutions can help set better
standards.

Cheers,
Navdeep


---
On 20.01.21 22:34, Gerlind Sulzenbacher wrote:

Dear Markus,

thank you for opening this discussion.

I'd like to add that in some countries, like France, where I work, this
goes often along with with 12 months contracts.
Imagine moving continent, eventually with family (yes, PostDocs happen
to have a family) just for a 12 months contract, under the conditions
you mentioned.
Sad, as you said, ... and I am quite sure that it has not always been
like that.
I wish all members of the BB a good mood,
Best,
gerlind


On 20/01/2021 21:48, Markus Heckmann wrote:

Dear PI s, and senior scientists' involved in recruitment,

Why do so many (especially postdoc) positions these days indicate:


Readiness for high workload
able to work independently but also effectively and collaboratively
with other lab member
Candidates should have a documented publication record in
peer-reviewed journals, able to work both independently and as an
effective team member.

Do the candidates need to subtly understand that they need to work on
weekends or holidays? And what does it mean by independently and
collaboratively at the same time. Or is this a template from HR
departments.

Was it always like this in science world or we too need to work like
amazon warehouse workers (you can google it and see the pain)?

Saddened...

Mark
(not trying to point out any single PI/person but overall it is the
same words repeated...)




We are opening a new position for an upcoming European project.

*We are looking for an expert in scientific programming with
experience in
scientific data processing for a European project focused on
Standards for
Data Archival and Exploitation. *

Job description:

We offer attractive work connected to development of data management
infrastructure for biophysical data in the frame of an international
project at the Institute of Biotechnology in the centre of excellence
Biocev. The main responsibility lies in definition of data standards and
models for biophysical data, development of algorithms, design of user
interface, and realization of a pilot database of biophysical data. The
person is expected to actively participate in multilateral international
negotiations, to drive the tasks fulfillment in collaboration with the
local international partners, and to present the results.

Dear all,

Two postdoctoral positions are available in the laboratory of Dr.
Pengxiang
Huang, Assistant Professor and CPRIT scholar in cancer research in the
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of
Medicine.
With the long-standing interest in sterol lipids, the Huang lab
investigates
the poorly understood mechanisms involved in Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt
signal
transduction, two related pathways that play critical roles in
development,
regeneration and cancer. We utilize a combination of biochemistry, cell,
chemical and structural biology approaches, including both X-ray
crystallography and Cryo-EM. Our recent 

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Phoebe A. Rice]

Worth discussion although may be impossible to fix.
My 2 cents:
Standard contracts here seem to be for 1 year, but I've always worked on the 
assumption that the contract will be renewed unless post-doc and PI have 
"irreconcilable differences" or there is an unforeseen funding shortfall. 
Then again, I have seen people at other institutions tell post-docs that they 
will automatically be "out" after just 1 year if they fail to find their own 
fellowships, which seems rather exploitative to me - one can do absolutely 
everything right and still not get a fellowship.

~~~
Phoebe Rice
Dept. of Biochem & Mol. Biol. and Committee on Microbiology
https://voices.uchicago.edu/phoebericelab/

On 1/20/21, 3:45 PM, "CCP4 bulletin board on behalf of Gerlind Sulzenbacher" 
 wrote:

Dear Markus,

thank you for opening this discussion.

I'd like to add that in some countries, like France, where I work, this 
goes often along with with 12 months contracts.
Imagine moving continent, eventually with family (yes, PostDocs happen 
to have a family) just for a 12 months contract, under the conditions 
you mentioned.
Sad, as you said, ... and I am quite sure that it has not always been 
like that.
I wish all members of the BB a good mood,
Best,
gerlind


On 20/01/2021 21:48, Markus Heckmann wrote:
> Dear PI s, and senior scientists' involved in recruitment,
>
> Why do so many (especially postdoc) positions these days indicate:
>
>> Readiness for high workload
>> able to work independently but also effectively and collaboratively with 
other lab member
>> Candidates should have a documented publication record in peer-reviewed 
journals, able to work both independently and as an effective team member.
> Do the candidates need to subtly understand that they need to work on
> weekends or holidays? And what does it mean by independently and
> collaboratively at the same time. Or is this a template from HR
> departments.
>
> Was it always like this in science world or we too need to work like
> amazon warehouse workers (you can google it and see the pain)?
>
> Saddened...
>
> Mark
> (not trying to point out any single PI/person but overall it is the
> same words repeated...)
>
>
>
>> We are opening a new position for an upcoming European project.
>>
>> *We are looking for an expert in scientific programming with experience 
in
>> scientific data processing for a European project focused on Standards 
for
>> Data Archival and Exploitation. *
>>
>> Job description:
>>
>> We offer attractive work connected to development of data management
>> infrastructure for biophysical data in the frame of an international
>> project at the Institute of Biotechnology in the centre of excellence
>> Biocev. The main responsibility lies in definition of data standards and
>> models for biophysical data, development of algorithms, design of user
>> interface, and realization of a pilot database of biophysical data. The
>> person is expected to actively participate in multilateral international
>> negotiations, to drive the tasks fulfillment in collaboration with the
>> local international partners, and to present the results.
>>
>
>> Dear all,
>>
>> Two postdoctoral positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. 
Pengxiang
>> Huang, Assistant Professor and CPRIT scholar in cancer research in the
>> Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of 
Medicine.
>> With the long-standing interest in sterol lipids, the Huang lab 
investigates
>> the poorly understood mechanisms involved in Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt signal
>> transduction, two related pathways that play critical roles in 
development,
>> regeneration and cancer. We utilize a combination of biochemistry, cell,
>> chemical and structural biology approaches, including both X-ray
>> crystallography and Cryo-EM. Our recent work identified cholesterol as 
the
>> endogenous ligand for Smoothened, the key signal transduer and 
oncoprotein
>> in the Hh pathway (Cell. 166:1176-87). We also characterized the 
structural
>> and oncogenic basis of Smoothened activation, demonstrating for the first
>> time the active conformation of a class F GPCR (Cell. 174:312-24). The
>> highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment of our group will
>> thus provide unique career development opportunities for future 
postdoctoral
>> trainees.
>>
>> We are seeking highly-motivated candidates with a Ph.D. in biomedical
>> sciences and significant experience in molecular biology, protein
>> biochemistry and/or cell biology. Prior knowledge in structural biology
>> (X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM) is highly desirable, but not required.
>> 

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Navdeep Sidhu]

Dear Gerlind, Markus, All:

Well, sometimes the (written) promise of a 2-year contract also ends up
boiling down systematically (for some PIs) to only a 6-month contract
after all.--And that after you've spent half a year or more and multiple
trips to the country concerned trying to get a work visa and housing,
all at your own expense--particularly tough for migrants and their families:

"Many come here with a promise of a two-year contract, which later turns
out to be a six month scholarship, which is renewed six months at a
time. Many feel that they have been fooled."
 - From Palle Liljebaeck. "Postdoctoral fellows at KI must be given
better terms." Naturvetarna (Sweden), Nov. 7, 2013
.

(By the way, work contracts often entail health, pension and other
benefits which may be limited or unavailable on a scholarship.)

Fortunately, many PIs don't agree with such practices. But they do
occur, including unfortunately for jobs advertized on the CCP4 bulletin
board--and so perhaps the IUCr or other institutions can help set better
standards.

Cheers,
Navdeep


---
On 20.01.21 22:34, Gerlind Sulzenbacher wrote:
> Dear Markus,
> 
> thank you for opening this discussion.
> 
> I'd like to add that in some countries, like France, where I work, this
> goes often along with with 12 months contracts.
> Imagine moving continent, eventually with family (yes, PostDocs happen
> to have a family) just for a 12 months contract, under the conditions
> you mentioned.
> Sad, as you said, ... and I am quite sure that it has not always been
> like that.
> I wish all members of the BB a good mood,
> Best,
> gerlind
> 
> 
> On 20/01/2021 21:48, Markus Heckmann wrote:
>> Dear PI s, and senior scientists' involved in recruitment,
>>
>> Why do so many (especially postdoc) positions these days indicate:
>>
>>> Readiness for high workload
>>> able to work independently but also effectively and collaboratively
>>> with other lab member
>>> Candidates should have a documented publication record in
>>> peer-reviewed journals, able to work both independently and as an
>>> effective team member.
>> Do the candidates need to subtly understand that they need to work on
>> weekends or holidays? And what does it mean by independently and
>> collaboratively at the same time. Or is this a template from HR
>> departments.
>>
>> Was it always like this in science world or we too need to work like
>> amazon warehouse workers (you can google it and see the pain)?
>>
>> Saddened...
>>
>> Mark
>> (not trying to point out any single PI/person but overall it is the
>> same words repeated...)
>>
>>
>>
>>> We are opening a new position for an upcoming European project.
>>>
>>> *We are looking for an expert in scientific programming with
>>> experience in
>>> scientific data processing for a European project focused on
>>> Standards for
>>> Data Archival and Exploitation. *
>>>
>>> Job description:
>>>
>>> We offer attractive work connected to development of data management
>>> infrastructure for biophysical data in the frame of an international
>>> project at the Institute of Biotechnology in the centre of excellence
>>> Biocev. The main responsibility lies in definition of data standards and
>>> models for biophysical data, development of algorithms, design of user
>>> interface, and realization of a pilot database of biophysical data. The
>>> person is expected to actively participate in multilateral international
>>> negotiations, to drive the tasks fulfillment in collaboration with the
>>> local international partners, and to present the results.
>>>
>>
>>> Dear all,
>>>
>>> Two postdoctoral positions are available in the laboratory of Dr.
>>> Pengxiang
>>> Huang, Assistant Professor and CPRIT scholar in cancer research in the
>>> Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of
>>> Medicine.
>>> With the long-standing interest in sterol lipids, the Huang lab
>>> investigates
>>> the poorly understood mechanisms involved in Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt
>>> signal
>>> transduction, two related pathways that play critical roles in
>>> development,
>>> regeneration and cancer. We utilize a combination of biochemistry, cell,
>>> chemical and structural biology approaches, including both X-ray
>>> crystallography and Cryo-EM. Our recent work identified cholesterol
>>> as the
>>> endogenous ligand for Smoothened, the key signal transduer and
>>> oncoprotein
>>> in the Hh pathway (Cell. 166:1176-87). We also characterized the
>>> structural
>>> and oncogenic basis of Smoothened activation, demonstrating for the
>>> first
>>> time the active conformation of a class F GPCR (Cell. 174:312-24). The
>>> highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment of our group will
>>> thus provide unique career development opportunities for future
>>> postdoctoral
>>> trainees.
>>>
>>> We are seeking highly-motivated candidates 

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Gerlind Sulzenbacher]

Dear Markus,

thank you for opening this discussion.

I'd like to add that in some countries, like France, where I work, this 
goes often along with with 12 months contracts.
Imagine moving continent, eventually with family (yes, PostDocs happen 
to have a family) just for a 12 months contract, under the conditions 
you mentioned.
Sad, as you said, ... and I am quite sure that it has not always been 
like that.

I wish all members of the BB a good mood,
Best,
gerlind


On 20/01/2021 21:48, Markus Heckmann wrote:

Dear PI s, and senior scientists' involved in recruitment,

Why do so many (especially postdoc) positions these days indicate:


Readiness for high workload
able to work independently but also effectively and collaboratively with other 
lab member
Candidates should have a documented publication record in peer-reviewed 
journals, able to work both independently and as an effective team member.

Do the candidates need to subtly understand that they need to work on
weekends or holidays? And what does it mean by independently and
collaboratively at the same time. Or is this a template from HR
departments.

Was it always like this in science world or we too need to work like
amazon warehouse workers (you can google it and see the pain)?

Saddened...

Mark
(not trying to point out any single PI/person but overall it is the
same words repeated...)




We are opening a new position for an upcoming European project.

*We are looking for an expert in scientific programming with experience in
scientific data processing for a European project focused on Standards for
Data Archival and Exploitation. *

Job description:

We offer attractive work connected to development of data management
infrastructure for biophysical data in the frame of an international
project at the Institute of Biotechnology in the centre of excellence
Biocev. The main responsibility lies in definition of data standards and
models for biophysical data, development of algorithms, design of user
interface, and realization of a pilot database of biophysical data. The
person is expected to actively participate in multilateral international
negotiations, to drive the tasks fulfillment in collaboration with the
local international partners, and to present the results.




Dear all,

Two postdoctoral positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Pengxiang
Huang, Assistant Professor and CPRIT scholar in cancer research in the
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine.
With the long-standing interest in sterol lipids, the Huang lab investigates
the poorly understood mechanisms involved in Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt signal
transduction, two related pathways that play critical roles in development,
regeneration and cancer. We utilize a combination of biochemistry, cell,
chemical and structural biology approaches, including both X-ray
crystallography and Cryo-EM. Our recent work identified cholesterol as the
endogenous ligand for Smoothened, the key signal transduer and oncoprotein
in the Hh pathway (Cell. 166:1176-87). We also characterized the structural
and oncogenic basis of Smoothened activation, demonstrating for the first
time the active conformation of a class F GPCR (Cell. 174:312-24). The
highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment of our group will
thus provide unique career development opportunities for future postdoctoral
trainees.

We are seeking highly-motivated candidates with a Ph.D. in biomedical
sciences and significant experience in molecular biology, protein
biochemistry and/or cell biology. Prior knowledge in structural biology
(X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM) is highly desirable, but not required.
Candidates should have a documented publication record in peer-reviewed
journals, able to work both independently and as an effective team member.

To apply, please send your CV, a short summary of research experience, and
three reference letters to cnssolve[at]gmail.com.


collaborative research environment focused on structural/molecular mechanism
of broadly neutralizing antibodies specific to MPER segment of the gp41
subunit in membrane environments, its implication to immunogen design and
immunogenicity. The laboratory provides a rich training environment and
access to cutting-edge techniques.

Highly-motivated candidates with a recent PhD or MD/PhD in biomedical
sciences and significant experience in molecular biology and biochemistry
are encouraged to apply. Skills in molecular biology, biochemistry and
extensive biomolecular NMR experience are essential.  Candidates should have
a documented publication record in peer-reviewed journals. We are seeking a
candidate with excellent writing and communication skills, able to work
independently but also effectively and collaboratively with other lab
members. Applicants should include a short statement of research goals, CV
and three references with their application.

Re: [ccp4bb] Open position - data management in biophysics

[Markus Heckmann]

Dear PI s, and senior scientists' involved in recruitment,

Why do so many (especially postdoc) positions these days indicate:

> Readiness for high workload

> able to work independently but also effectively and collaboratively with 
> other lab member

> Candidates should have a documented publication record in peer-reviewed 
> journals, able to work both independently and as an effective team member.

Do the candidates need to subtly understand that they need to work on
weekends or holidays? And what does it mean by independently and
collaboratively at the same time. Or is this a template from HR
departments.

Was it always like this in science world or we too need to work like
amazon warehouse workers (you can google it and see the pain)?

Saddened...

Mark
(not trying to point out any single PI/person but overall it is the
same words repeated...)



> We are opening a new position for an upcoming European project.
>
> *We are looking for an expert in scientific programming with experience in
> scientific data processing for a European project focused on Standards for
> Data Archival and Exploitation. *
>
> Job description:
>
> We offer attractive work connected to development of data management
> infrastructure for biophysical data in the frame of an international
> project at the Institute of Biotechnology in the centre of excellence
> Biocev. The main responsibility lies in definition of data standards and
> models for biophysical data, development of algorithms, design of user
> interface, and realization of a pilot database of biophysical data. The
> person is expected to actively participate in multilateral international
> negotiations, to drive the tasks fulfillment in collaboration with the
> local international partners, and to present the results.
>


> Dear all,
>
> Two postdoctoral positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Pengxiang
> Huang, Assistant Professor and CPRIT scholar in cancer research in the
> Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine.
> With the long-standing interest in sterol lipids, the Huang lab investigates
> the poorly understood mechanisms involved in Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt signal
> transduction, two related pathways that play critical roles in development,
> regeneration and cancer. We utilize a combination of biochemistry, cell,
> chemical and structural biology approaches, including both X-ray
> crystallography and Cryo-EM. Our recent work identified cholesterol as the
> endogenous ligand for Smoothened, the key signal transduer and oncoprotein
> in the Hh pathway (Cell. 166:1176-87). We also characterized the structural
> and oncogenic basis of Smoothened activation, demonstrating for the first
> time the active conformation of a class F GPCR (Cell. 174:312-24). The
> highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment of our group will
> thus provide unique career development opportunities for future postdoctoral
> trainees.
>
> We are seeking highly-motivated candidates with a Ph.D. in biomedical
> sciences and significant experience in molecular biology, protein
> biochemistry and/or cell biology. Prior knowledge in structural biology
> (X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM) is highly desirable, but not required.
> Candidates should have a documented publication record in peer-reviewed
> journals, able to work both independently and as an effective team member.
>
> To apply, please send your CV, a short summary of research experience, and
> three reference letters to cnssolve[at]gmail.com.
>
>

> collaborative research environment focused on structural/molecular mechanism
> of broadly neutralizing antibodies specific to MPER segment of the gp41
> subunit in membrane environments, its implication to immunogen design and
> immunogenicity. The laboratory provides a rich training environment and
> access to cutting-edge techniques.
>
> Highly-motivated candidates with a recent PhD or MD/PhD in biomedical
> sciences and significant experience in molecular biology and biochemistry
> are encouraged to apply. Skills in molecular biology, biochemistry and
> extensive biomolecular NMR experience are essential.  Candidates should have
> a documented publication record in peer-reviewed journals. We are seeking a
> candidate with excellent writing and communication skills, able to work
> independently but also effectively and collaboratively with other lab
> members. Applicants should include a short statement of research goals, CV
> and three references with their application.
>



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