Interesting Features at PWN for 10.27.14

We hope to see many of you at the annual PWN meeting during the Society for Neuroscience conference in Washington DC in November! If you are a PWN member attending SfN and have not yet heard about our meeting, please leave a comment below or click on my name to email me for more details.  

News from the PWN Pipeline:

Plugging up the "leaky pipeline."

The shortage of women in STEM-related industries and fields is an ongoing problem. CNN asked several female leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to weigh in on solutions for engaging and retaining women in STEM careers. Dr. Patty Fagin asserts that young girls demonstrate as much interest and aptitude for STEM as young boys but they lost interest along the way, suggesting a 'leaky pipeline,' possibly because they were not encouraged as enthusiastically to explore these options. One solution is to initiate early exposure to STEM-related studies and to offer female mentors early on as well, so as to show that support and success are available to all women.

"I can never be sure whether I truly earned it."

Dr. Claudia Perlich offers an interesting perspective on the apparent paucity of women in data science. In fact, she posits, there are many women data scientists but not very many 'visible' ones. It is possible that women are only suggested for invited and keynote speaker roles after committee members are reminded that "we need to get more women speakers." In order to increase the visibility and accomplishments of female data scientists, and female scientists in general, Perlich asserts that it may require a job transition from the limitations of academia to industries where women are already in more key leadership roles and well positioned to offer support and mentorship to other women ascending the ranks.

Interesting Features at PWN for 9.15.14

News from the PWN Pipeline: 

'Women are given constructive suggestions-- and told to pipe down.'

Fortune's Kieran Snyder has penned a very illuminating column on how the perception of female "abrasiveness" or assertiveness plays a role in undermining women's careers in technology sector positions. Dr. Snyder assessed performance reviews gathered from men and women in tech positions, and found that women are often given negative feedback or are primarily given feedback with criticism. In contrast, men are overwhelmingly likely to receive only constructive feedback in their performance review. Furthermore, women are seldom given feedback without criticism, whereas men are far more likely to receive feedback without criticism. Overall, the findings of the review show a stark contrast between the evaluations of men and women in tech and merit a reexamination of systematic bias in review language.


'We can't 'ban bossy' if women in tech are being told to know their role.'

In reaction to Kieran Snyder's informal investigation, Jess Zimmerman from The Guardian has posted a response calling for the rise of more women in leadership roles in tech. Ms. Zimmerman rightly points out that encouraging women in early stages of STEM education to focus on their career goals and then exposing them to workplace gendered criticism, bigotry, and retrogressive attitudes regarding work performance and ability is completely counterproductive.

Interesting Features at PWN for 9.2.14

Hope you all had a fantastic summer and managed to take some time to relax and spend time away from the lab/office! We are excited for another great year with PWN and look forward to continuing to grow our network of professional women. We will be in touch soon about our upcoming annual PWN gathering during the Society for Neuroscience meeting in November.

News from the PWN Pipeline:

We absolutely need to take breaks at work

As the summer wraps up, vacations end, and we find ourselves back at our desks and in front of a computer screen, it is not too hard to rationalize taking a quick break. Fortunately, scientific studies fully support and encourage taking breaks, as these brief moments of downtime can improve productivity and facilitate more creative approaches. During the break, the brain is able to recharge and reevaluate task objectives at hand. Click the link above for more scientific reasons to prioritize downtime and great productivity-enhancing suggestions for the breaks you take.


'Women rate higher in overall competencies for senior leadership positions" 

Korn Ferry, a leadership and talent consulting firm, has found that women generally score higher than men in multiple dimensions of leadership style and, importantly, in the majority of skills and competencies critical for senior leadership success. These skills include employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and building talent. The limiting factor for women in the workplace is lack of experiences and assignments that challenge and grow their skill sets during mid-level business roles. Either women are not being offered these opportunities or they are not accepting them as frequently as they should, which is interfering with their progress in moving up leadership levels. Click the link above for more on Korn Ferry's findings and recommendations for overcoming obstacles that can stymie career growth.  

Interesting Features at PWN for 8.18.14

News from the PWN Pipeline:

Hope you are all having a fantastic summer and getting a bit of time off to relax and recharge. We'll be back in September with more regular weekly blog posts, but we wanted to share an important and interesting article regarding erosion of professionalism at conferences and meetings.


"Is this a professional conversation or a prelude to being asked out?" 

Dr. Meg Urry penned a CNN column describing her response to a recent nationwide survey conducted by the University of Illinois that examined field site work environments and experiences, particularly as they relate to sexual harassment and assault. The survey found that women (26%) were far more likely to report experiencing unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature (touching, physical threats, rape) than men (6%). Dr. Urry writes that it has become all too commonplace for young female scientists to experience unwanted attention and harassment, particularly at field sites and scientific meetings, by older male scientists who ignore scientific acumen in favor of flirtatious remarks. To overcome these types of comments or unsolicited propositions, she suggests always keeping the focus on your science and ignoring any inappropriate remarks.

Interesting Features at PWN for 6.16.14

News from the PWN Pipeline:

"Women can't consider failure as an option."

Only 5% of Fortune 500 company CEOs are women. Research has shown that many women are promoted into leadership when the deck is stacked against them and/or the company is undergoing some sort of a crisis. Examples include Lynn Elsenhans becoming CEO of Sunoco after shares had fallen by 52% and Marissa Mayer being hired as CEO to save a dwindling Yahoo. This article, via Fast Company, delves a bit into some of the hidden challenges women in leadership can face and how best to approach them. One great tip is being aware of your leadership style and ensuring that you are being heard, even if that means being more flexible in how you exhibit leadership.

Advancement Opportunities

Postdoctoral position available in NIH/NIDA T32 Translational Addiction Research Fellowship in Department of Psychiatry at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Fantastic position in the Department of Psychiatry at UPenn Perelman School of Medicine for a postdoctoral fellow with strong technical skills in neuroimaging and a potential interest in the clinical neuroscience of addiction. The successful candidate will have a consistent publication background, neuroimaging statistical package experience (e.g. SPM, FSL, AFNI), an MD or PhD or equivalent degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. engineering, neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, etc...), and strong communication skills. The candidate will be part of an inter-disciplinary clinical neuroimaging laboratory with ongoing funded projects in cocaine, marijuana, nicotine, and opiate addiction.

More details in the link above
Interested applicants: CV | 1-page letter of intent | names of 3 references
Send to: Laboratory and T32 Fellowship Director, Dr. Anna Rose Childress | childres@mail.med.upenn.edu


Postdoctoral position available in Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University and Neuroscience Program at SRI International in Menlo Park, CA

Excellent position for a postdoctoral candidate with experience in conducting behavioral studies, stereotactic surgery and immunohistochemistry, and an interest in studying neuroimaging of in vivo models of alcohol dependence, maintenance and withdrawal. The successful motivated candidate will have a consistent peer-reviewed publication record and a PhD or equivalent degree in a relevant discipline, and will be within a year of completing their degree. The candidate will be part of a team using translational and multi-disciplinary approaches to study animal models of alcohol dependence.

More details in the link above
Interested applicants: CV | Cover letter
Send to: Dr. Natalie Zahr, PhD | nzahr@stanford.edu

Interesting Features at PWN for 6.9.14

News from the PWN Pipeline:

Work smarter

This great article from a self-professed "reformed workaholic" published on Fast Company reminds us all that successful time and energy management starts with working smarter and negotiating long-term vs. short-term goals. Click the link above for some great tips on how to be a more effective worker. One great reminder is turning off email for long periods of time so that responding to other people's concerns does not interrupt or interfere with your own progress.

Abandoning the traditional cover letter and resume

New York Magazine published an interesting look at the disadvantages and pitfalls associated with the traditional cover letter and resume, including the many opportunities that invite race, gender and confirmation bias throughout the evaluation process. The article does also suggest some potential alternatives for evaluating applicants, such as anonymizing the application materials and requiring sample work assignments enlist skills important for the job.

Advancement Opportunities

Scientific Writer position available in Medical Communications and Training (MCaT) group at Biogen Idec in Cambridge, MA

A fantastic opportunity for a creative and analytical candidate with strong medical information or regulatory writing experience in the MCaT group within Global Medical Affairs at Biogen Idec. Among other responsibilities, the candidate will independently prepare moderate-complex documents and communication materials that educate professionals on relevant disease states as well as on the efficacy and safety of Biogen's marketed and investigational product. The candidate will also mentor junior writers, and represent the Scientific Writing department in cross-functional MCaT teams and initiatives. Masters or doctoral/terminal level degree as well as broad understanding of pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory and healthcare compliance environments strongly preferred.

Details and Application portal in the link above (use Requisition/Job Search Number 22171BR)
For more info, interested applicants can also contact Dr. Stephanie Licata, Senior Scientific Writer at Biogen Idec and PWN member (use these connections!) at stephanie.licata@biogenidec.com

Interesting Features at PWN for 6.2.14

News from the PWN Pipeline: 

Networking like a champion

It is always great to get a few extra tips at how to be a networking powerhouse and this article from Fast Company shares some fantastic tips for increasing and maintaining your exposure with new connections. One critical networking tip to always keep in mind is the importance of following up on your new connection with a quick email, tweet or "like."

Advancement Opportunities

Position available at Boston medical device startup for experienced Sports or Experimental Psychologist, Psychophysiologist, or Neuroscientist   

Fantastic opportunity for a candidate with experience in assessing, analyzing and interpreting psychophysiological measures and cognitive performance in neuropsychological assessments. The company is focused on the intersection of brain science and improved product design that will make lives better. An ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years postdoctoral and/or industry experience in psychology, neuroscience, psychophysiology and cognitive science.

More details in link above
Apply: CV | cover letter w/ background and skill description + relevance | Indicate job #02-211
Send to: Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers | resume@propelcareers.com 

Interesting Features at PWN for 5.26.14

News from the PWN Pipeline: 

Tips for following up after the job application and the interview

So you want to follow up with the hiring manager after you have applied for the job but you don't want to overstep any boundaries. This great article from Fast Company, linked above, provides some useful tips and sample scripts for how best to effectively communicate interest and motivation without appearing overzealous or desperate.


Take that vacation time now and see benefits at work later 

It is not always easy to unplug and take a vacation from work and emails, but traveling can be a 'reset' experience that makes you feel recharged and innovative when you eventually get back to your desk. Check out this interesting article (linked above), in which John Roa, a digital enhancement consultant and entrepreneur, shares some tips on how the experience of traveling has benefited his companies and his mindset.

Advancement Opportunities

Postdoctoral position available in chemistry/drug discovery group at Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina

Great opportunity for a postdoctoral candidate who is a synthetic organic/medicinal chemist. The work will involve the design, synthesis, purification and characterization of small molecules for CNS disorders and other diseases. Qualifications include experience in analytical methods including HPLC and strong research background and publications in multi-step synthesis of novel organic compounds. 

More details in the link

Apply: CV | 2 references | starting date preference  

Send to: Dr. Yanan Zhang | yzhang@rti.org

Interesting Features at PWN for 5.19.14

News from the PWN Pipeline:

'Women in Neuroscience: A Call to Action'

Dr. Carol Mason, president of the Society for Neuroscience, has issued a challenge for all women in neuroscience to strive towards and accept positions of leadership in order to correct the glaring lack of women in leadership positions in academia. Dr. Mason also provides a number of suggestions for how best to encourage and promote other women in neuroscience fields, including mentoring young aspiring scientists in high school and suggesting/nominating other women for feature speaker opportunities and major awards.

Advancement Opportunities

Postdoctoral research position in addiction biology available at Medical University of South Carolina

The postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Kalivas at MUSC. The candidate must be well-trained and published in whole cell patch slice electrophysiology, and motivated to apply this technique to studying addiction biology. Additional research training opportunities can include optogenetics and DREADDs and protein biochemistry.

Click the link above for more information
Position available summer 2014
Application: CV | Brief cover letter of research goals | names of 2 references
Send to: Peter Kalivas, PhD in care of Madura Athreya athreya@musc.edu


Postdoctoral research position in optogenetics and neuronal function at Pfizer Neusentis in Cambridge, UK

The postdoctoral position is open for a neurobiologist with a strong background in molecular and cell biology (particularly cell imaging). The candidate will use cutting edge optogenetic tools to examine if precise spatiotemporal control of pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neuron signaling will clarify subcellular contributions to nociceptor function.

Click the link above for more information

Interesting Features at PWN for 5.12.15

News from the PWN Pipeline

'10 ways to do what you don't want to do.'

It can be so easy to delay and procrastinate and succumb to distraction, but sometimes you need to get things done that you do not want to do. Writer Leo Babauta suggests 10 tips for getting these things done. The tips may be particularly timely now that the weather (at least in New England) is rapidly improving and making summer plans may be more appealing than getting certain tasks done. One great suggestion from the list is acknowledging and embracing the difficulty of getting a task done and doing it anyway.

Advancement Opportunities

Research Technician position available at the Mouse Behavior Core at Scripps Research Institute

Fantastic opportunity for acquiring additional experience and skills as a research technician in a preclinical laboratory. The applicant will have responsibilities that include helping to run behavioral experiments, performing data entry and basic data analysis, and managing the day-to-day responsibilities of maintaining the Mouse Behavior Core at SRI in Jupiter, Florida.

Previous experience working with rodents required
Additional details and application portal in the link

Interesting Features at PWN for 5.5.14

News from the PWN Pipeline

"Confidence matters just as much as competence."

The Atlantic features an interesting and sobering account of the vast 'confidence gap' that often separates successful women from men. The authors of the article, BBC World News America anchor Katty Kay and ABC News reporter Claire Shipman, posit that self-doubt and low confidence interfere with women receiving promotions faster, taking more risks in professional development, and overcoming doubt. Eliminating self-doubt and focusing more on developing and maintaining a sense of confidence will contribute to greater opportunities for advancement. Furthermore, they suggest that confidence is what accelerates judgment and opinion into action. The article is definitely worth a read, and I was particularly struck by one major 'confidence gap' issue elucidated by the authors: women apply for a promotion only when they met 100% of the qualifications but men applied for a promotion when they met 50%.  

"The female 'confidence gap' is a sham."

As a counterpoint to Kay and Shipman's Atlantic article, Jessica Valenti of The Guardian expresses frustration that the 'confidence gap' is seen as a personal shortcoming of poor self-value and not as a structural and cultural female discrimination issue. Valenti argues that a professional and cultural transformation should take place that will value and promote self-assured women, and consequently will end the gendered disparity in displaying confidence.

Interesting Features at PWN for 4.28.14

News from the PWN Pipeline

Advice from Women on Negotiating a Raise

As national and online conversations about salary equity and negotiation evolve, NPR put out a call for women in the workforce to share their experiences of asking for a higher salary. Replies came in from women working in a variety of industries who were motivated by different factors to ask, successfully, for higher salaries. Click the link to read a handful of the negotiation strategies utilized by these women to elevate their salaries to a value commensurate with their job responsibilities and experience.


 "Tech Jobs Have a Narrower Pay Gap"

Though many industries, including medicine, law and finance still show large pay gaps between men and women, the technology sector has come quite close to eradicating that gap. For example, male and female engineering managers earn nearly equal pay. In a NY Times article, reporter Claire Cain Miller hypothesizes that the nature of tech sector jobs, with more flexible hours and independence in writing code, may close the pay gap because people are being paid in direct proportion to the hours they work instead of disproportionate pay for working longer hours.

Interesting Features at PWN for 4.14.14

News from the PWN Pipeline

"Think of it as solving a problem."

NPR's Morning Edition features an interesting interview with Emily Amanatullah, an assistant professor of management at the University of Texas, whose work in negotiation tactics has uncovered an unusual twist in negotiation strategies employed by women. When negotiating for themselves in a simulated experiment, women asked for approximately $7000 less, on average, than their male counterparts performing the same task. When they simulated a negotiation on behalf of a friend, however, women asked for just as much money as the men.

Click the link for more on Amanutallah's findings and recommendations and to hear the interview.


"Your resume can't be good, it needs to be exceptional."

Career coach Ford Myers, author of Get The Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring (Wiley, 2009), suggests that people are too liberal with distributing resumes that are poorly curated. Myers lists 5 'sins' that job candidates should avoid before sending their resume to a recruiter or potential employer. The sins include being vague and using passive verbs. The article is a highly useful tool for ensuring that your own resume is a strong representation of your work experience and skills.

Interesting Features at PWN for 4.7.14

News from the PWN Pipeline

"Women in general have to outperform men just to be regarded as their equal."

Dr. Athene Donald, professor of experimental physics at the University of Cambridge, emphasizes that while gender stereotyping has caused negative effects in many fields of study, the negative impact to women in science has been particularly profound. Conscious, and often unconscious, biases as well as outdated societal expectations of women negatively influence the progress of women in research. Women in scientific areas of study are less successful in winning research grant money, are paid less than their male counterparts and are often less likely to be hired. Dr. Donald advocates for training courses focused on bringing greater awareness to unconscious bias as an initial step towards eliminating gender-stereotyping in the workplace.


Test your own unconscious biases -- the results can be surprising!

The web-based infrastructure of Harvard University's Project Implicit is designed to test the implicit associations, thoughts and feelings that occur outside of conscious thought or control. Take one of the tests on mental health or social attitudes today and test your own (perhaps unknown) unconscious biases.

Interesting Features at PWN for 3.31.14

News from the PWN Pipeline

"A word that is symbolic of systemic discouragement of girls to lead."

Sheryl Sandberg's campaign to ban the word 'bossy' is described in this ABC News article. Sandberg argues that 'bossy' is an insulting term that discourages girls from being assertive, confident, and pursuing leadership roles. Though banning the word might not be entirely feasible, Sandberg explains that the importance of the campaign is to encourage young girls and women to feel proud and empowered by ambition and leadership.

The Ban Bossy website |  http://banbossy.com/#

"Banning a word like bossy isn't the answer."

The Guardian asks parents how they feel about Sheryl Sandberg's campaign to ban the word 'bossy', and whether they agree with the initiative. Parents are also asked to reflect on how they feel, or would feel, about their daughter being called bossy. The answers are surprising varied, with many parents insisting that banning a word isn't the solution to actively encouraging girls to be more confident or take more initiative.


PWN readers: please feel free to share your opinions on 'Ban Bossy' in the comments section. I will say that I have never heard anyone describe a boy or a man's behavior as 'bossy,' and nor have I heard anyone chastise a boy or a man for being bossy. Thus, I agree with Sandberg that 'bossy' is a disparaging term that appears to only be directed at girls and women, and has the power to dissuade and discourage confidence. Bringing national attention to this issue will likely be the most positive outcome of her campaign. I suspect that awareness, and not necessarily a dictionary revision, has been the goal all along.

Interesting Features at PWN for 3.24.14

News from the PWN Pipeline

"There's a force behind you that wants you to succeed."

The focus of this NY Times article is on promising programs that help women to reenter the competitive workplace after an extended leave. Banking institutions such as JPMorgan, Credit Suisse, and Morgan Stanley have begun offering paid internships and fellowships to highly educated and accomplished women who are returning to the workforce, with the opportunity of transitioning to full-time work. Academic institutions such as Harvard Business School and Pace Law School offer programs that help to prepare women by polishing their technical acumen (technology and writing skills) as well as resume and interview skills. The article suggests that momentum is growing for developing more programs that will equip women with the tools they need to reenter the workplace.

Women must be more proactive about citing their own work

The Chronicle of Higher Education recently reported that women in academia are less likely to cite their own research compared to their male counterparts. Given that research citations are among the factors that are critically evaluated during hiring and promotions processes, women must take advantage of all opportunities to cite their own work in order to remain academically competitive.

Interesting Features at PWN for 3.17.14

News from the PWN Pipeline: 

What women need to succeed in science.

Professors Huda Zoghbi and Paul Greengard discuss their perspectives on the type of guidance and mentorship that will encourage women to pursue their scientific curiosities, and to choose and succeed in scientific fields. Dr. Greengard and his wife, sculptor Ursula von Rydingsvard, founded the Pearl Meister Greengard prize that provides recognition for the accomplishments of women in science. Dr. Zoghbi is the 2013 recipient of the prize.  

Advancement Opportunities

Postdoctoral position available at Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Baylor College of Medicine at Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas

Candidates who are interested in substance use disorders (nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, alcohol), PTSD, and other comorbidities are strongly encouraged to apply. The NIDA-funded R25 program educates postdoctoral fellows in clinical research methods and the means of incorporating research findings into clinical practice. Clinical experiences emphasize Phase Ib and Phase II trials of new pharmacotherapies and innovative behavioral treatments for substance use disorders.
For more information:
Brief letter of interest | CV | send to: Drs. Thomas F Newton (tnewton@bcm.edu) and Richard De La Garza, II (rg12@bcm.edu)

Interesting Features at PWN for 3.10.14

News from the PWN Pipeline:

"Work-life conflicts as an everyone issue, not a women's issue or a mom issue."

An article published in the March Harvard Business Review reveals, or perhaps confirms what many already know to be true, that significant gender differences emerge when men and women are evaluating work/life balance in terms of their work priorities and careers. Men tend to explain their inadequate time spent with family as the result of providing their family with opportunities and/or financial success, whereas women tend to focus less on financial achievement and more on reaching a balance in their careers to emphasize work and time spent with their families. The study suggests (confirms?!) that men may not be acknowledging that work-life conflicts impact them as well and that it is not specifically a women's issue.   

Advancement Opportunities

Postdoctoral positions available at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Two postdoctoral positions investigating mechanisms of synaptodendritic injury in opiate abuse and HIV-comorbidity are available at VCU for qualified scientists with experience in neuroscience, drug abuse, innate or adaptive immunology, or pharmocological or neurovirological research. 

More details in the link

CV | 3 references | statement of research interests and career goals | Send to either Dr. Kurt F Hauser (kfhauser@vcu.edu) or Dr. Pamela E Knapp (peknapp@vcu.edu)

Multiple clinician and research scientist openings at NIH institutes

Staff scientist, clinical investigator, and clinician openings are available at the Division of National Toxicology program Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Clinical Chemistry Service Department of Laboratory Medicine, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Details, application information and contact info for each opening in the link
Deadlines are soon, so apply today!  

Interesting Features at PWN for 3.3.14

News from the PWN Pipeline: 

"Clarity, communication and common ground."

Kim Keating, founder and managing director of human resources consulting firm Keating Advisors, shares her advice on navigating salary inequity in the workplace. As more awareness is raised about the gender-pay gap, it is increasing crucial to maintain a forward-thinking approach and set of strategies to apply towards negotiating your salary and other benefits.

"Will the next Zuckerberg be female?"

Women are very underrepresented in engineering and technology industries, and while they may exhibit aptitudes for coding and design early in their schooling, there often is not enough support for them when moving into higher levels of education or in industry. This BBC News article explores the approch of actively encouraging young women to apply their creativity to coding and app/web development, which will slowly begin improving the landscape of women working in tech.

Advancement Opportunities

Neuroscientist position to develop novel therapeutics at Genentech Research

Scientists with strong backgrounds in systems biology and/or disease research are encouraged to apply for this opening in the Department of Neuroscience that will focus on investigating neural circuit function in disease and applying findings to drug discovery and developing therapeutic approaches.
Details and Genentech application portal in the link.

Interesting Features at PWN for 2.17.14

News from the PWN Pipeline: 

"Raise your hand when opportunities arise."

An article with interesting perspectives and career advice from successful women in a variety of different fields, such as an engineer, bank president, and advertising firm president. Each brief profile of the women includes answers to questions that address work-life balance, overcoming career hurdles, career mistakes and successes, as well as advice they would give to other women coming up in the ranks. 

"You can create your own microcosm of leadership."

Forbes magazine recently profiled Lori Senecal, the chairman and CEO of New York-based advertising agency Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + Partners, and the successful executive described her career trajectory and shared career advice for other future female leaders. One of the insights she offered was remembering to "to do less, better" in order to create greater value and impact for your work. 

Deconstructing the impact of the workplace 'sex partition.'

The Guardian's Kim Elsesser writes that organizational rules and policies that deter sexual harrassment and limit office relationships have also contributed to increased barriers in communication between male and female colleagues. Specifically, she writes that this 'sex partition' may be impeding women's advancement in organizations and institutions where the majority of senior executives and mentors are men. Elsesser suggests it is possible men fear that networking or forming close mentorship relationships with women may be perceived negatively as harassment or romantic interest, and so they are more likely to stick to reaching out to other men in their networks. Increasing employee's awareness of these issues and concerns, she writes, is critical for overcoming these workplace and career barriers and creating more meaningful opportunities to network and receive mentorship.  

Interesting Features at PWN for 2.10.14

News from the PWN Pipeline:

Tips for Interviewing Your Potential Future Boss

Job applicants often acquire a wealth of information about the company or organization to which they are applying as well as about the potential position that is available, but emotional intelligence expert Harvey Deutschendorf suggests that strategically interviewing your boss during an initial meeting will help applicants to decide if the job and work environment is right for them. An example of a question Deutschendorf recommends asking your potential boss is "can you describe a situation where you felt you were caught between management and your staff? How did you deal with this?"

7 Mistakes to Avoid for Public Speaking Success

Business Insider has rounded up some of the most common mistakes that speakers make when addressing an audience. Some great tips and suggestions are given to overcome these slip ups. For example, taking a breath just before you start a presentation can help to naturally slow down the pace of your speech and avoid rapid fire speaking.

Resources for PWN Members

Visit the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE) website for fantastic career and professional development opportunities.

OITE also offers useful videocasts describing career opportunities for scientists: https://www.training.nih.gov/oite_videocasts. Check out this workshop called Planning for Career Satisfaction and Success. 

Focus on developing your career plan by visiting the AAAS ScienceCareers Individual Development Plan website. 

Interesting Features at PWN for 2.3.14

News from the PWN Pipeline:

Emotional Intelligence as a Barometer for Leadership Potential

An important article that outlines 5 ways to measure the degree of emotional intelligence displayed by your boss or the leadership in your organization. Leaders who show high levels of self-awareness, remain emotionally open and self-confident, and exercise the ability to listen without immediate defensiveness will help to support and encourage their colleagues to grow in their roles and capabilities.

"Everyone, if they're consistent, will eventually achieve something massive."

A conversation with Tony Stubblebine, founder and CEO of goal-setting app Lift, on what measures can be taken to optimize the process of setting and achieving goals. One great suggestion is to set priorities and daily goals first thing in the morning in order to emphasize and reinforce their importance.  After all, a to-do list always seems more difficult when compiled late in the day.

"Turning your phone to silent will diminish your curiosity."

A conversation with management consultant and author of Getting to It, Jones Loflin, on how best to improve your focus and ignore/eliminate distractions. One excellent tip is to make sure you define 'it', the most important goal/project that you are focused on right now, and make sure you communicate 'it' effectively to others on your team. Another suggestion is to turn off all email and social media alerts in order to avoid distraction and growing curiosity that will interfere with your focus.


Leave your comments and suggestions for goal-setting and productivity approaches below! What works best for you? 

Interesting Features at PWN for 1.27.14

News from the PWN Pipeline:

'Recruit some women to recruit more women.'

A great overview of recent study findings suggesting that the best way to improve creativity in and diversification of male-dominated fields is to bring teams of women on board. One or two women may not be enough to make changes to the environment and output, but three or more can likely obtain enough momentum and support to make a difference in company culture and output.

Advancement Opportunities

Postdoctoral positions in pain research/neuroscience/pharmacology at Charite- University Hospital Berlin, Germany

Several post-doctoral opportunities for researchers with expertise in electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization, and/or in vivo behavioral testing in rodent models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain to join a multidisciplinary department involved in similar translational research on mechanisms of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
3-year positions begin April/May 2014
Details in the link
CV | Names of 2 references | send to Dr. Halina Machelska (halina.machelska@charite.de)


Postdoctoral fellowship in neuropathic pain research and treatment at University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain

Excellent post-doctoral fellowship opportunity for neuroscientist with strong scientific-technical background in experimental pain models to join a research group focused on developing new methods for evaluation and treatment of neuropathic pain manifestations and studying the influence of emotional traits on inter-individual pain response variability.
Application deadline is February 28, 2014
3-year position begins May 1st, 2014
Details in the link

Interesting Features at PWN for 1.13.14

News from the PWN Pipeline: 

"Get the right people together, address the challenges, and keep moving forward."

A quick-read article that summarizes 6 important management lessons from prominent women leaders of different industries. The lessons provide interesting glimpses of how these women approach members of their team and how they define their business philosophy to keep their companies successful and always moving forward. 

A healthy ego is a resourceful ego

While a leader's overly arrogant ego can lead to the downfall of a team or a business, a healthy ego can be advantageous and effective in maintaining communication and making thoughtful decisions. This article outlines several benefits that a healthy ego in the workplace can accrue, such as developing resilience to setbacks, inspiring others on the team, and taking appropriate amounts of risk in decision-making. 

Resources for PWN members: 

Check out Women in Learning, http://www.womeninlearning.com, which is a group of women researchers who offer advice and guidance to graduate students and post-docs doing research in learning, memory, behavior, and neuroscience. Membership is free, and there are many opportunities for more students and researchers to be involved in advancing women in science. 

Interesting Features at PWN for 1.6.14

Happy 2014 and best wishes for a great year from the PWN team! 

News from the PWN Pipeline: 

'Productive people take better notes.'

A quick-read article outlining 5 great ways that writing and documenting your thoughts, decisions and experiences can help to facilitate personal growth and wisdom. Some of the specific improvements that are cited as a result from frequent writing and journaling include eliminating mental 'clutter' as well as feeling more engaged and productive. 

8 red flags to watch for at a job interview

Job candidates often prepare by researching the company, outlining potential questions to ask, and thinking of ways to impress the interviewer with their qualifications. This article reminds us that the interviewer should also be attempting to impress the candidate, and lists 8 potential red flags at an interview that could suggest difficulties at the company down the line after accepting an offer. Warning signs include the hiring manager not reading your resume/CV beforehand and the interviewer checking their email during the interview. 

'She's like Gisele Bundchen mixed in with Bill Gates.'

Lyndsey Scott is a model who has walked the runways of Vera Wang, Fendi, Prada, Gucci and Victoria's Secret and, in her spare time, uses her coding prowess and programming background to design apps. This profile delves into Scott's experiences as a programmer and techie working primarily in the modeling world and offers some interesting perspectives of how she confounds common stereotypes about women in those fields. 

Advancement Opportunities

Assistant professor position in human cognitive neuroscience at Wright State University

Excellent opportunity for scientist already conducting cognition, perception and neuroscience research to join a growing Psychology department and develop new collaborative relationships with researchers at Miami Valley Hospital and the Wright-Patterson Air Force Research Laboratory. 

Details and application portal in the link

General inquiries to Search Committee Chair: Dr. Dragana Claflin | dragana.claflin@wright.edu