Question: When you say you helped younger scientests, what did you actually do do 'help' them?

Ian Simpson answered on 17 Jun 2014:

I help them in different ways depending on where they are at in their career and their research.

In research I will meet with all of my students and post-docs at least once a week to discuss their project(s), any problems and to plan in the short term. Day to day stuff mainly to help them decide what to focus on and to talk through ideas they’ve had in the week. It’s very much a partnership, we work together and I don’t see myself as their boss.

Then there is a mentoring aspect where I look to help them plan for their future. What do they want to do after this ? What can we do now to enable that ? Sometimes this might mean changing the focus of their research, or sending them to another lab to learn a new technique or some other non-science related training even. Sometimes it means me putting my guys in touch with other academics I know who are better placed to advise them on a particular career path which may be out of my field.

Then there is a “pastoral” element. They may or may not see me as their boss, I’m the group leader after all, but research is a very personal thing and I care about what happens to my team. Everyone has ups and downs in research, it’s important to realise that to help people through the difficult moments.

As people get more experienced and confident as scientists they need less day to day support, but more help in launching their own independent careers, writing fellowship applications and grants, making higher level connections and raising their profile.

There are other forms of help which are more overt like finding money for them to go on a course or attend a conference, writing references and speaking to University admin etc..