‘Survival Skills For Scientists’

1. ICTP Summer School on Energy, Trieste July 14th2016 ‘Survival Skills For Scientists’ Federico Rosei, UNESCO Chair in Materials and Technologies for Energy Conversion, Saving and Storage (MATECSS) INRS Energie, Matériaux et Télécommunications Université du Québec, Varennes (QC), Canada Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not have any easy recipe for success, and what I have to say here cannot be a substitute for good ideas, hard work and dedication…!

2. The Centre for Energy, Materials & Telecommunications of INRS • 36 professors (22 new since 2002) • 46 professional staff, technicians and administrative staff • 60 post-doctoral fellows • 210 graduate students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) in 2015 • Annual operating budget: ~14 M$ • Infrastructure investment (CFI/MEQ): 75 M$ (since 2001)

3. Main research areas Controlling the ultrasmall and harnessing new materials nanotechnology (nm) Controlling the ultrafast ultrafastphotonics (as-fs) Telecommunicationssystems algorithm, protocols, etc.. Sustainableenergy, fuel cells, Batteries, solarcells

4. The Energy Challenge “Our generation will ultimately be defined by how we live up to the energy challenge.” The Future of Energy Supply: Challenges and Opportunities; N. Armaroli, V. Balzani, Angew. Chem.Int.Ed. 2007, 46, 52. non-renewable fossil fuels are most widely used fuels of modern society World population increases at rate of ~200.000 inhabitants per day

5. Light Up the World (LUTW)! Solid-state lighting: the only solution for the developing world, SPIE Newsroom (2006) Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world - Nelson Mandela Energy facilitates education - Lutw.org

6. UNESCO Chairs – UNITWIN • UNITWIN promotes international inter-university cooperation & networking to enhance institutional capacities through knowledge sharing & collaboration. • Priority areas: education, natural & social sciences, culture & communication • Higher education & research institutions pool resources to address pressing challenges & contribute to societal development. • Networks & Chairs: think tanks & bridge builders between academia, local communities, research & policy-making • Informing policy decisions, new teaching initiatives, research innovation & enriching university programmes, promoting cultural diversity. • Strengthen North-South-South cooperation. Over 854 institutions in 134 countries

7. The United World Colleges Mission and values: UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future Credit: uwc.org (United World Colleges mourn Passing of Honorary President)

8. The International Center for Theoretical Physics (Trieste, Italy) – www.ictp.it: Category I UNESCO Institute The International Center for Materials Research (ICMR at UCSB, NSF-funded) www.icmr.ucsb.edu The US-Africa Materials Institute at Princeton University (USAMI, NSF-funded) usami.princeton.edu The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS, Cape Town, South Africa) www.aims.ac.za The Sustainable Sciences Institute (SSI)www.ssilink.org Perimeter Institute (PI)www.perimeterinstitute.ca The models: ICTP, ICMR, USAMI, SSI, AIMS, PI

9. F. Rosei, L. Vayssieres, P. Mensah, Advanced Materials20, 4627 (2008) M. Chaker, F. Rosei, ‘Materials Research in Africa: Rising from the Falls’, Nature Materials 11, 187 (2012) ‘‘Africans believe in something that is difficult to render in English. We call it ubuntu or botho. It means the essence of being human. You know when it is there and when it is absent. It speaks about humanness, gentleness, hospitality, putting yourself out on behalf of others, being vulnerable. It embraces compassion and roughness. It recognizes that my humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together’’ (Desmond Tutu)

10. Objectives Main objective of UNESCO Chair MATECSS: Obtain access to “Sustainable Energy For All” through research built on sharing knowledge in emerging energy technologies. MATECSS Program: • Visiting professorships & student exchanges • International workshops • Web-based courses & training PhD students from developing countries • In close collaboration with partners in the South Confirmed partners in: • Algeria • Argentina • Benin • Brazil • China • Colombia • Costa Rica Other partners: ICTP, LUTW, IOCD, GYA, SNO • Ethiopia • India • Mexico • Morocco • Nigeria • South Africa • Vietnam

11. Evolution of the Workshop •  2003:Informal course •  2005:Graduate course @ INRS •  2008:3-day workshop UdeM •  2009:2-day workshop UWA Perth •  2010:2-day workshop UWA Perth •  2011:2-day workshop McGill •  2012: 2-day workshop ETS •  2013: 2-day workshop ETS •  2014: 2-day workshop McGill • 2015: 2-day workshop McGill • 2016: 2-day workshop Concordia •  12 Invited talks @ conferences •  >45 ‘Survival Skills’ lectures worldwide since 2005

12. Needs more than skills for science Survival in Science

13. Goals are personal Be very clear about your goals Why do you want to become a scientist? Do not continue doing science, unless your goals are clearly stated! What is your Goal as a Scientist? My goal is to unravel the mysteries of nature. (Greek Φύσις = Nature)

14. Science is about challenges Challenge... Yourself → change perspective Data&methods → verify, improve Collaborators, colleagues, competitors Always constructively Challenges Galileo Galilei

15. Ethics • The pressure is high – still, don’t evercut corners in reporting. • Fraud, falsifying, misrepresentation of data • Plagiarism, multiple publication • Abusive authorship …

16. What are you good at? What do you like doing? What are your goals? How do you best achieve them? Choose your path Know thyself!

17. Tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Next year... Then in ten years? First things first: What will you do… ? PLAN AHEAD • Plan for short term, medium term, long term. Keep the plans flexible, but plan. • Planning ahead? Why bother? F. Rosei, T.W. Johnston, J. Mater. Ed.31, 293 (2009)

18. Plan => you are ready … Science: World of Opportunities … to capitalize on opportunities as they occur – seize that chance now!

19. Getting …is easy Internet, Journals, Conferences, Networking, … Filtering …is not Avoid getting swamped Filter frequently, efficiently! Opportunities = Information

20. Rejections are part of life. Learn to accept them gracefully. You can’t win if you don’t play …! Assume you will be successful Never be afraid of applying! • If you prepare your application well (for a job, a fellowship, a grant, etc.), even if you don’t get it, you are investing time in your career development • It is a good way to hone your skills and there is almost no application that cannot be recycled…! Hi Fede, I'm so happy - I got the job (CNRS), I would like to say you THANKS!, I learned a lot with you thanks for your guidance, thanks Fede for your patience. THANKS again!! Luis

22. In Canada: the National Research Council; CANMET (NRCan) In the U.S.: Jefferson Laboratories Brookhaven National Laboratories Sandia National Labs Lawrence Berkeley National Labs Oak Ridge National Labs In Singapore: IMRE, IBN, DSI, IHPC, SIMTEC In Germany: Max Planck Institutes, Leibnitz Institutes, Fraunhofer Institutes In France: CNRS In Japan: NIMS, AIST, RIKEN In Switzerland: Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) In Australia: CSIRO, ANSTO In Denmark: Risø In Italy: CNR Examples of Industrial Labs Examples of gov’t labs • Bell Labs (Lucent Technologies) in Murray Hill, NJ • IBM (International Business Machines): Almaden (CA), Yorktown Heights (NY), Rueshlikon (Switzerland) • HP (Hewlett Packard): Palo Alto • Xerox Research Center • NTT (Nippon Telephone and Telegraph), Japan • Haldor Topsoe (Denmark) • Philips (the Netherlands)

23. In a soccer team: 11 players and 4 general ‘roles’ (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, attacker) – all are equally important In our description of science, there are two main roles, simply α and β Your role in Science: α vs. β • α: the ‘leader’ (e.g. the professor). likes to generate ideas and • funding to pursue them. αs don’t have much time to spend in the • lab (often don’t like it too much either, though they argue • passionately that they miss it!) • β: the executor (e.g. a research associate). likes to do the • science, not manage it. Likes to spend time in the lab, turn the • knobs / get the work done first hand. • As students / post–docs, we all start off as βs. The next step • is critical. It’s when you have to decide whether you play better • one role or the other, and the one you prefer.

24. Appreciate difference between managing a research group and leading it Lead by example Strong drive and personal motivation Superior communication skills (oral and written) enjoys presenting orally and likes to write People’s person: good at motivating, patient, easy to talk to α: Manager or Leader?

25. Scientist  Manager; Student/post-doc  supervisor This is not necessary when bosses are… very good. Manager/boss relationship: mutual dependence between two fallible human beings Effective managers take time and effort to manage relationships with their subordinates AND also with bosses. Appreciate your boss’ goals and pressures The boss needs the manager’s help/cooperation to do his/her job effectively; a manager’s immediate boss plays a critical role in linking the manager to the rest of the organization β: Managing your boss J.J. Gabarro, J.P. Kotter, Managing Your Boss, Harvard Business Review 1980

27. I think I should speed up a bit

28. Find a mentor early (ASAP) in your career. Find a Mentor! • A mentor is an advisor who gives you an • objective measure of reality when you have • to make a critical choice. • N.B. Your own supervisor is not necessarily • a good mentor (it’s possible, but not a given) • A goodmentor is a wise person who takes interest in your future, but one who does not have a ‘conflict of interest’. (i.e. one who does not stand to gain or lose depending on your choices)

29. Know the other players! Place yourself in the ‘shoes’ of the people who are going to evaluate you; anticipate their moves as if you were playing chess: In modern science, anything that matters is peer reviewed • You => Them • Interviewee => interviewer • Author => referee • Your Grant Application => Grant Selection Committee • Judging your own work and abilities objectively is not easy. • It is vital to develop a critical sense about your own work. • Come up with the right questions => easier to find the right answers. F. Rosei, T.W. Johnston, J. Mater. Ed.32, 163 (2010)

30. It is like democracy: highly imperfect, yet it’s hard to come up with a better system The peer review system • What is peer review, where is it used? (scientific journals, • funding agencies, sometimes foundations, etc.) • Why is refereeing generally anonymous? • ‘Good’ refereeing vs. ‘bad’ refereeing: constructive reviewing • Can you protect yourself from ‘bad faith’ referees? • Suggesting referees [Applied Surface Science] • Real life example Feng Shui Meditation Exercise F. Rosei, T.W. Johnston, J. Mater. Ed.32, 163 (2010)

31. The most famous referee report • This paper is both good and original. • Unfortunately, the part that is good is not original; and the part that is original, is not good.

32. Recent submission blunder Example of what *NOT* to do: “Dear Editor of JMCC, We would like to submit the manuscript “bla bla” for publication in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces” (etc.) My response: Dear Authors, I regret to inform you that your manuscript does not meet the levels of originality that are expected for JMCC. In addition, since you would like to submit to ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, I recommend you log into the ACS Publishing system.

33. Publish… or perish • There are many theories about why the dinosaurs disappeared… the more accredited one states that they did not publish, and therefore perished • However, I urge you not to clog the literature with many • publications of little value • When you are a student, each new published article is perceived as an important addition to your CV – this temptation is to be avoided (as an added environmental benefit, you will spare • many trees…!) • In the longer term, what is important is the • quality of your published record, rather than • the sheer quantity of papers published. • What matters to your peers is your • overall impact => establishing a reputation

34. Common indicators of impact: Citations by others, impact factor (applied and basic research); the H index [CAVEAT!!!!] Invited talks at conferences, seminars Review committee service (grant selection, editorial etc.) Refereed Publications list in CV. Patents, inventions, devices (applied research) Awards, Distinctions High levels of funding … ? (output vs. input) If your work becomes sufficiently interesting to a broad audience that you are asked to give popular talks, this is a good evidence of impact How is your scientific impact judged?

35. Input • Output • Impact • The objective is Impact

36. Scientific meetings and conferences • The 3(+1) reasons to attend a conference 1. To present your work 2. To learn from your peers’ work 3. To network with your peers +1. the conference is in a nice location, e.g. Hawaii, Florida, Australia, Paris, Rome, etc. (not uncommon)

37. Cover too much material Include too many details Start with too much small talk Run over the allotted speaking time Avoid telling the audience why your research has been done Overestimate, or at least fail to assess, the audience’s level of knowledge Fail to make contact with the audience Ignore the inherent difference that exists between written and oral communication Waste time searching for a specific overhead file somewhere in your pile Use unexplained terminology, abbreviations and acronyms Use unexplained symbols in text or equations Use unexplained graphics Present overhead transparencies that are unreadable Read in extenso from projected transparencies If the moderator has just introduced you to the audience, alienate both parties by opening your presentation with such details as your name, your affiliation and the title of your talk Peter Sigmund, Odense University (Denmark), Physics Today, August 1998 15 ways…

38. Networking is important! • Networking can help you to: • Find a job • Develop collaborations • Recruit good people (students, post–docs, professors, etc.) Some scientists you meet at conferences are the ones who referee your manuscripts and grant applications. (Likewise, you will be asked to comment on their work at some point in your career). Having them know you personally helps!

39. How many of you are still awake?

40. Becoming an administrator (turning to the dark side) [someone once said, you become an administrator when you run out of ideas] Three reasons for becoming an administrator: Change of career Anyone else who takes the position will do a much worse job and it will backfire You have a vision you want to push forward, and taking control is the only way to implement your vision Starting your own company/commercializing your work Entrepreneurial spirit After having transformed money into knowledge, wants to transform knowledge into money Capable of developing and protecting IP Other career paths (phase II, after tenure)

41. Alternative ‘scientific’ careers • Scientific journalism • Editor of a professional / scientific journal • Program officer at a funding agency • Financial analyst ($$$) • Patent attorney • Patent officer (remember Einstein?) • Consultant • Science Advisor to the Prime Minister (…) • College teacher Clown ?

42. Lessons to be learned: Lessons in leadership and mentoring Be patient Don’t be afraid to take risks, and to innovate Treat your collaborators, students and peers with respect (Those under you… those above you…) Be supportive, especially during difficult times Celebrate successes Be enthusiastic and positive Invest time and energy in Outreach: explain your work to others (The Two Graduate Students and the Bike) Be fit, practice sports Continue to learn and do new things Maintain absolute integrity Help younger scientists find their place; create opportunities for them Do what you enjoy, work hard, have fun Inspire others Find a supportive partner

43. Leonardo da Vinci: Tristo è quel discepolo che non avanza il maestro suo Invictus Nelson Mandela: How do you inspire your team to do their best. Francois Pienaar: By example. I’ve always thought to lead by example, sir. Nelson Mandela: Well, that is right. That is exactly right. But how to get them to be better than they think they *can* be? That is very difficult, I find.

44. I do not have easy recipes for success, sorry! My advice is not about pursuing your career ‘the easy way’. There is *no* replacement for good ideas, hard work and sound approach. You should already have all that. However, it is not necessarily enough to progress in your career. ‘Audaces fortuna iuvat’ (good luck favors the bold) Summary of basic advice • Find a mentor – someone more experienced who is willing to give you advice and act as a sounding board • 1. Know Thyself. • 2. Plan ahead. • 3. Know the Others and ‘Play Chess’ Finally… Don’t forget to have fun, otherwise it’s not worth it…! • Thank you! And good luck. I wish you every success! • If you wish to contact me: • rosei@emt.inrs.ca

45. Acknowledgements AFOSR • Ge/Si, Si, Ge nanostructures: • F. Ratto, D. Riabinina, C. Durand (now CEA Grenoble), K. Dunn, L. Nikolova, M. Chaker (INRS), J. Margot (UdeM) • S. Heun, A. Locatelli, S. Fontana (Elettra, Trieste) • S. Kharrazi, S. Ashtaputre, S. Kulkarni (University of Pune, India) • N. Motta (QUT, Australia) • Nanostencil / functional materials: • A. Pignolet, C. Cojocaru (now at NRC-IMI), C. Harnagea (INRS) • Organic molecules: supramolecular structures, 2D polymers, organic electronic devices • INRS: J. Miwa (now at UNSW), A. Dadvand, F. Cicoira (now at Cornell), C. Santato (now at EcolePolytechnique de Montreal), J. MacLeod &J. Lipton-Duffin (now at Univ. of Trieste),T. Dembele,C. Yan, S. Clair(now at CNRS); D.F. Perepichka (McGill) • B.J. Eves, G.P. Lopinski (NRC–SIMS, Ottawa) • FlemmingBesenbacher (Univ. of Aarhus) • Nanostructured Biomaterials: • K.G. Nath (now at Corning Japan), F. Variola, C. Brown, A. Vittorini, F. Vetrone (now at Concordia), A. Nanci, J.D. Wuest (UdeM) • Carbon Nanotubes: • S. Miglio, M.A. El Khakani(INRS), P. Castrucci, M. Scarselli, M. De Crescenzi (Roma 2)

46. Don’t try their patience! Don’t go over time (never ever…!) Rehearse in front of a ‘friendly’ audience, and use their (hopefully constructive) criticism to improve your presentation (both content and form) Prepare backup slides for questions that come repeatedly (15 ways…) A few tips on presenting to an audience

48. Career paths National lab PhD => PDF => Industry Academia Academia (rare) Alternative career Job => industry Starting your company National lab (unusual) Starting your company Alternative career

49. Post-doc’ing What is it? 1. A necessary evil 2. A way to exploit young scientists 3. A limbo 4. A launching pad to a successful academic (or other) career 5. All of the above

50. Choosing your PDF advisor 1. Default choice: the Oxbridge model; a famous advisor in a Famous university (e.g., Flemming) 2. Studying your field and “gambling”