Question: how do you become a scientist

Claire El Mouden answered on 20 Jun 2013:

It’s quite easy. The difficult thing is that from quite early on you need to decide what area of science you want to do.

So let’s say I want to help build jet airplanes. At university, I’d first do an undergraduate degree in physics or engineering. Then I’d do another degree called a PhD – PhD stands for ‘doctor of philosophy’ – in some specialised aspect of airplane design. You can get paid when you do it, so you don’t need to worry about debt (you won’t feel rich, but you’ll be richer than you were as a student!). A PhD takes 3 (sometimes 4) years to complete, and every one is different. A lot of people travel to live abroad to do their PhD (often in the USA, Canada, or somewhere in Europe), so it can be a great way to live in another country for a few years.

You have to write a big report at the end of your PhD, describing the research you have done. Then some other academics read it, ask you questions about it, and if they think you have done well, they let you become a Dr. of the subject you’ve studied. So I’m ‘Dr Claire El Mouden’ – and my PhD is in evolutionary biology. Medical doctors have got a PhD in medicine – which is why we call them Dr. too!

When you do your PhD, the most important person is your supervisor. He or she will be an academic who does the sort of research that you are interested in. They will help teach you how to do research, and will help you learn how to publish papers and guide you through the PhD and introduce you to other academics who work in your area. They often become a good friend too.

After you finish your PhD, the normal thing is that you move to another university (and another country if you like to travel!) and get a post-doctorate job. You get paid better for this, and you won’t feel like a student any more! A ‘post-doc’ works as a junior researcher with a senior academic. Really senior academics may have two or three post-docs and 4 or 5 PhD students, so you are part of a senior person’s “research group”. Post-docs are a great way to learn new skills and you will have the time to start doing some research on your own.

While doing your post-doc, most people also start doing a bit of teaching of undergraduate students. So after being a post-doc, many people become university lecturers, or they get money to start their own research group.

So if you like the sound of living in different countries and studying and learning for years and years, then go for it! As Renata says, there will be lots of friendly people to help you every step of the way.