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Overcoming stumbling blocks

We asked: Looking back, what do you consider to be an important factor at the beginning of this career step? What would you like to pass on to (prospective) PhDs? Which talks, lectures and tips made valuable contributions? Below are quotes and tips for inspiration.

Additions? Thank you for any information.

André Meyer-Baron

 Postdoc at the Department of Informatics at UZH, conducts research on the support of knowledge workers in the areas of productivity and well-being in times of New Work. Together with Carlo Cervia-Hasler, he received the UZH Postdoc Award 2023 for exemplary teamwork in connection with the development of a smartwatch app and companion app to tackle long Covid sufferers.
He recommends being aware that there will not only be ups during a doctorate. It is therefore important to have a vision, to be as independent as possible, and to build up your resilience.
Blog on his research
André Meyer

 
There are ups and downs during a doctorate. The following points helped me to get out of downs: Vision: I had a longer-term goal for my dissertation, which inspired me. Independence: I learned to solve (almost) all challenges myself. So I was less dependent on others. Resilience: It is essential to learn to deal with ups and downs and not to take everything too seriously.
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Anja Hasse

 Research assistant at the UZH German Department, doctorate in German linguistics.
Anja Hasse wrote the following article with two colleagues from the doctoral network who are now also a part of her personal environment.
Hasse, Anja / Mächler, Patrick / Bachmann, Sandro (2020): Genus- und Kasusprofilierung beim schweizerdeutschen Definitartikel. 
Anja Hesse

 
Eine Dissertation schreibt man nicht alleine. Natürlich ist die fachliche Betreuung und der fachliche Austausch äusserst wichtig. Die Promotionszeit ist aber eine Ausnahmesituation. Daher ist auch ein Netzwerk von Personen in der gleichen Situation sehr hilfreich, um über die alltäglichen Sorgen und Probleme im Doktoratsalltag sprechen zu können, und ein persönliches Umfeld, das einen auffängt, unbezahlbar.
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Benita Combet

Researcher specialized in gender and educational inequality, SNSF Ambizione Grant Holder Project "Study Choice", Institute of Sociology, UZH.
In addition to her academic work, she is a member of the digitalswitzerland Committee for Education, Professionals und Diversity Committee and advises Allianz Chance+ on their programs to promote educational opportunities.
Benita Combet

 
Streben nach Perfektion (nicht zu verwechseln mit Sorgfalt!) ist dein grösster Feind. Vergiss nicht: Niemand wird als Wissenschaftler:in geboren, sondern durch Lernen dazu gemacht. Du kannst diesen Lernprozess optimieren, indem du deine Arbeit schon in einem frühen Stadium anderen zeigst. Wichtig dabei ist, dass du Inputs und Kritik als Lernmöglichkeit framst: Haben sie etwas nicht verstanden, hast du es einfach noch nicht genügend gut erklärt!
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Simon Walo

 Research assistant at the Institute of Sociology at UZH, recently completed his doctorate in sociology.
He recommends making the best possible use of the freedom offered by a doctorate, so that at least at the end of the doctorate you have found a topic that corresponds to your own interests.
Studie: «‘Bullshit’ After All? Why People Consider Their Jobs Socially Useless.» 
Simon Walo

 
Als ich mein Doktorat begonnen habe, war ich rasch frustriert: von meinem Thema, meiner Dissertation, dem wissenschaftlichen Betrieb. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass ein grosser Teil der Forschung vor allem von Karrieredenken getrieben war und nicht davon, was einen Sinn oder einen praktischen Nutzen hat. Deswegen habe ich angefangen, mich mit dem Thema Bullshit-Jobs zu beschäftigen.
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Talks & Books

Uri Alon

Physicist and Professor of Systems Biology at the Weizmann Institute.
During his doctoral studies in physics, Uri Alon thought he was on a wrong track because all his research paths led to dead ends. But with the help of improvisational theater, he realized that getting lost can also be fun. A call to scientists to no longer see research as a direct path from the question to the answer, but as something creative.
TED-Talk: Why science demands a leap into the unknown
 
Uri Alon

Monika Janfelt

 Publication by Monika Janfelt, a danish author, strategic advicer and teacher: «You and your PhD - Essential career advice for doctoral students»
Send us your feedback or input on this contentpage and get a free copy of the book: info@grc.uzh.ch

 
Book you and you phd by monika Janfelt

Additional Information

Writer's block?

The GRC Writing Lab can help you through difficult phases of your PhD by helping you to improve your own writing process.

Conflicts?

More about Conflicts?

If you have any conflicts or problems with your supervisor during the doctoral program, UZH offers different contact points that you can refer to.