Overstretched and overlooked: solving challenges faced by early-career investigators after the pandemic

• DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.07.005
• Publication Date: 2021-08-27T12:16:32Z
• Authors: Brock A. Humphries; Priscilla Y. Hwang; Agnieszka A. Kend...; Rajan P. Kulkarni; Rachel A. Pozzar; Rebeca San Martin
• Keywords: Pandemic; Disadvantaged

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a detrimental effect on research. However, little been done to identify and solve the unique challenges faced by early career investigators (ECIs). As group of American Cancer Society-funded ECIs, we provide recommendations for solving these in aftermath pandemic. COVID-19 resulted stressors affecting including graduate students postdoctoral fellows (ECI-trainees), assistant professors (ECI-faculty). Some include heavier workloads, job insecurity, limited or decreased funding, geographic instability [1.Susi T. et al.'I'll work it over weekend': high workload other pressures early-career researchers.Nature. 2019; 2019197735355Google Scholar,2.Woolston C. Postdoc survey reveals disenchantment with working life.Nature. 2020; 587: 505-508Crossref PubMed Scopus (35) Google Scholar]. Furthermore, under-represented ECIs bear disproportionate burden challenges. Investigators who belong gender, racial, ethnic minority groups; are first generation college students; economically disadvantaged, less likely receive independent federal research funding pursue principal investigator positions [3.Martinez E.D. al.Falling off academic bandwagon. Women more quit at postdoc transition.EMBO Rep. 2007; 8: 977-981Crossref (134) Scholar, 4.Heggeness M.L. al.Measuring diversity National Institutes Health-funded workforce.Acad. Med. 2016; 91: 1164-1172Crossref (37) 5.Ginther D.K. Diversity biomedicine: an evaluation education outcomes implications policy.Labor Supply Demand. 2010; 2010153325694Google 6.Hechtman L.A. al.NIH longevity gender.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. 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Soc. 17: 1366-1370Crossref (106) Several senior scientists varied disciplines have published maintain productivity during While valuable well-intentioned, advice that is relevant established may be difficult impossible implement. Many were able turn writing, submitting, publishing manuscripts 'work from home' time productivity, however might not sufficient data collaborators conduct publish reports analyses. Additionally, reductions animal colonies laboratory (lab) shutdowns long-term negative effects ECI research, given many enough generate preliminary fully establish their colonies. Further, generally older children do require constant care, while tend increased caregiving responsibilities context school childcare closures Finally, larger network so they can build collaborations virtually, whereas trying network, which home. Even though largely acknowledged face set challenges, ways support limited. there things returning, such as ECI-specific opportunities faculty openings. believe our perspective provides angle help institutions individuals develop effective strategies promote success advancement. Herein, bring light negative, impacts ECIs. We highlight work–life balance, promotion, tenure, networking, mentoring, make remediate problems. hope ideas mitigate careers particularly those sciences. When educational institutions, child elder care facilities, individual family services abruptly shut down 2020, take significantly personal responsibilities. home commute time, need perform day-to-day household tasks dependents halted productivity. This increase Scholar], traditionally primary caregivers elderly [12.Myers K.R. al.Unequal scientists.Nat. Hum. Behav. 4: 880-883Crossref (472) Given among grant awardees [4.Heggeness before pandemic, institutional response this dilemma urgently needed. One obstacle gender parity sciences lack quality, affordable childcare. In some regions United States, annual cost full-time one exceeds 40% stipend [13.Kristoffersen M. Postdocs struggle costs. Yale News, when parental leave policies place, rarely feasible step away environment extended period. Institutions offer affordable, on-site allow parents balance scholarly presence environment. provision cost-effective investment retention. University Toronto California, Los Angeles demonstration schools childhood serving practicum sites university's majors. Another innovative solution create vetted intermittent K-12 tutoring university faculty, students, staff. addition ensuring access dependent leadership initiate changes workplace culture benefit For example, academics higher service than male counterparts [14.Guarino C.M. Borden V.M.H. Faculty loads gender: taking family?.Res. High. 2017; 58: 672-694Crossref (450) Temporarily exempting all service-related would permit focus scholarship. Likewise, department chairs advocate additional administrative, teaching, staff use judiciously. Institutional levels creating where families welcome, acknowledging visible maintaining flexible schedules remote options foreseeable future [15.Lodish H.F. Accommodating life: mentoring members.Trends Cell Biol. 2015; 25: 109-111Abstract Full Text PDF (7) An often under-discussed topic paramount importance even prepandemic times, mental health. past year, facing COVID-related illnesses deaths, grappling uncertainty, coping political social unrest placed significant strain cohort. whose identities added level stress. addition, within cohort, researchers different stages experience stressors. worry about securing postdocs concerned hiring freezers prevent them positions, anxiety related meeting graduation requirements prospects. To well-being necessary supportive inclusive diverse experiences beyond valued. practice should standard labs, departments, universities employers held accountable guidelines. pressure compensate pandemic; instead, emphasized. At level, universal days workshops implemented. Hotlines stress management resources address depression, anxiety, burnout extra concerns occur. hindered investigators, clinician-scientists diverted assist patient disproportionately impacted. single project alternatives remotely shutdown. lab settings, distancing restrictions, equipment cores, supply chain interruptions made extremely regain clinical was recruitment patients non-COVID-19 required extensive argue models indispensable negotiating power, leading Lastly, implemented freezes limiting extent administrative available world metric number papers published, loss experimental momentum bound perceived effectiveness path independence. Despite adverse most provided clear plan move forward. Although tenure clock, essential written expectations guidelines how applications, promotion dossiers, personnel issues reviewed current flexibility review criteria candidates select area performance emphasized formal evaluations. Oregon Health Sciences example institution already adopted individualized approach. Allowing prioritize service, acknowledge contingent circumstances. Conversely, fixed model could disadvantage further inclusion preprints (e.g., submissions BioRXiv) Professional opportunities, writing reviewing, interviews, contract negotiations, prepare advance next career. These specifically tailored accomplish efficient support. ECI-graduate granted extensions thesis requirements. Mentors also 'COVID-19 statement' applications trainees. It critical community safeguard ECI-trainees providing concern plaguing funding. agencies smaller budgets result and, unfortunately, vanished ones originally designated grants path-to-independence awards ask consider developing modify accessible dedicated envelope grants, extend eligibility windows least 1 year activities slowly returning normal. Funding identifying reviewers backgrounds process equitably empathy. Inviting participate process, both publications, aid development, viewed favorably promotion.