A Postdoc's Journal – Details, episodes & analysis

A trailer for my new podcast: A Postdoc's Journal. A podcast by Simit Patel, PhD.

Each week, I will read out entries from my own personal journal from back when I was a postdoc. Then I reflect on it, analyze it, and try to make sense of it with the benefit of hindsight.

Be sure to subscribe on your favourite podcast app, to catch the first episode dropping soon.

EPISODE 0: INTRODUCTION

In this episode, I will introduce explain what the podcast is, why I'm doing it, and who it is for. I will also introduce myself!

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [01:00] - What is a Postdoc's Journal?
• [02:47] - Why am I doing this podcast?
• [05:02] - Who is this podcast for?
• [07:00] - Who is Simit Patel, PhD?
• [09:02] - What you can expect in the upcoming episodes

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Intro music and sound effects taken from freesound.org.

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Next up: EPISODE 1: FEELING OUT OF MY DEPTH

EPISODE 1: FEELING OUT OF MY DEPTH

In this episode, we jump a cold, grey December day in 2011. This is the day after my postdoc job interview. Despite being offered the job on the spot, my confidence was not running high.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [02:47] - Reading
• [06:17] - Discussion
• [12:39] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• Negative internal narrative
• Impostor syndrome
• My identity as a scientist
• Contending with failure

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

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Next:

EPISODE 2: FEELING SELF-CONSCIOUS

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EPISODE 2: FEELING SELF-CONSCIOUS

In this episode, we jump February 2012—about two weeks into my new postdoc. In this entry, I'm agonizing over whether to go to a conference or not, and I try to figure out my place in my new research group...and in Germany.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [02:53] - Reading
• [07:04] - Discussion
• [14:05] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• Anxiety when joining a new group
• Insecurity

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

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Next episode:

EPISODE 3: I BLAME MYSELF

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EPISODE 3: I BLAME MYSELF

In this episode, we jump to the middle of March 2012—about six weeks into my 'new' postdoc. At this point, I had started working more in the lab. Nothing was working, and I thought it was all my fault. I started burning myself out and experiencing depressive symptoms. I had no energy left for building a social life, but I tried anyway.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [02:22] - Reading
• [07:55] - Discussion
• [22:29] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• Depression
• Negative bias
• Wider problems in academia
• Anger

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

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Next:

EPISODE 4: MAYBE I'M NOT THE PROBLEM

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EPISODE 4: MAYBE I'M NOT THE PROBLEM

Firstly, a MASSIVE thank you to my listeners for your support so far. I reflect a little bit about what I've learned so far from all of you.

In this episode, we jump to the end of March 2012—about two months into my postdoc. At this point, things still aren't going well in the lab, but I learn the value of opening up to my boss about my problems. It's a very short entry this week, but we touch on some really important points.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [08:14] - Reading
• [09:48] - Discussion
• [16:54] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• The importance of the employee-boss relationship
• The value of opening up about your feelings

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser

Follow me on Instagram and/or LinkedIn and/or BlueSky

Next:

EPISODE 5: WORK-LIFE IMBALANCE

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EPISODE 5: WORK LIFE IMBALANCE

In this episode, we jump to May 2012—about three to four months into the postdoc. At this point things still weren't going well in the lab, but I seem to be doing OK with building a life outside of work.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [02:56] - Reading
• [05:55] - Discussion
• [07:03] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• Introversion - is it a good thing or not?
• Should there be a better culture around sharing failure at work?
• Insecurity - is it bad or functional?
• The relationship between work, life, and happiness

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser

Follow me & message me on Instagram and/or LinkedIn and/or BlueSky

Next:

EPISODE 6: IT'S NOT ENOUGH

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EPISODE 6: IT'S NOT ENOUGH

In this episode, we jump to October 2012—about nine months into my postdoc. In this journal entry, I am reviewing my year so far and I'm judging my progress (or lack of progress) quite harshly. It feels pretty sad to relive moments like this, but I do manage to find some words of wisdom in the end.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [03:00] - Reading
• [05:13] - Discussion
• [20:17] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• The pressure to publish in academia
• The pressure to write grant applications in academia
• Procrastination, fear, and perfectionism
• Feeling antisocial and lonely

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser

Follow me on Instagram and/or LinkedIn and/or BlueSky

Next:

EPISODE 7: FEELING BULLIED

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EPISODE 10: LIFE LESSONS

In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from December 2013. This is the fist time I started asking the pivotal question that changed my life: "Should the way I work to suit the job? Or change the job to suit the way I like to work?" I discuss how this question has guided my career choices until this day and I share some ideas about how to be kind to yourself.

00:00 Introduction to the Postdocs Journal

02:40 Journal Entry

06:27 Mixed feeling about this entry

07:41 The most important life lesson I've learned

13:20 I thought there was something wrong with the way I was working

14:42 Being told that I wasn't performing well enough

17:00 How to be kind to yourself

19:38 Adult loneliness

21:43 Outro

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser

Follow me on...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social

For copy editing and proofreading services, see here:

https://simitpatel.com/

EPISODE 9: FIXED-TERM CONTRACT

In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from July 2013, reflecting on my contract renewal struggles and the lack of job security in academia. I discuss the challenges faced with funding gaps, self-doubt, and networking. I also explore the impact of limited networking and self-perceived inadequacies. Ultimately, this episode highlights the broader issues in academic culture with limited funding, fixed-term contracts, and internal politics.

00:00 Introduction to the Postdocs Journal

03:17 Journal Entry: Meeting with the Boss

05:50 Reflections on Job Security and Visibility

07:01 The Broader Issues in Academia

13:27 Personal Struggles and Mindset

18:15 Cultural and Systemic Barriers

20:04 Concluding Thoughts and Future Lessons

23:14 Outro

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser

Follow me on Instagram and/or LinkedIn and/or BlueSky

For copy editing and proofreading services, see here:

https://simitpatel.com/