Kgashane Malatji

Nuclear Physicist. Motho ke motho ka batho.

[iThemba LABS @iThembaLABSCape]

Are you interested in pursuing postgraduate studies on topics linked to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)? Here's an amazing opportunity. The closing date is 20 December 2024. You can apply by following the link: https://t.co/LLXxbr19Lx @NRF_News @dsigovza @CERN

[iThemba LABS @iThembaLABSCape]

Today was the final day of the Working World Exhibition (#workingworldexpo). Thanks @NRF_SAASTA for coordinating the participation for business units of the @NRF_News. Learners, allow me to introduce Dr Randall Fisher, as he unpacks radiation biophysics: https://t.co/sB1YLoQCjN

[iThemba LABS @iThembaLABSCape]

NRF-iThemba LABS is participating in the 25th Working World Exhibition (#workingworldexpo) in Gqeberha. Thousands of learners are attending, but how accessible is our science? Meet Dr Retief Neveling as he unpacks what he does: https://t.co/XcPtKRgjpG @NRF_News @NRF_SAASTA

[National Research Foundation of South Africa @NRF_News]

Final reminder! @SANSA7 invites applications from final-year BSc Hon/BEng, and MSc South African students in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or Electronics for the 2024 International Space Weather Camp.

Learn more/apply: https://t.co/AXH01oOxx5.

Deadline: 11 Feb 2024

[National Research Foundation of South Africa @NRF_News]

NRF-iThemba LABS has the following job opportunities available in Cape Town:
- Head of Department: SSC Laboratory
- Administrator: SAINTS
- Manager: SAINTS
To learn more/apply, please visit the NRF Recruitment Portal here: https://t.co/cHxATzAXgu

[National Research Foundation of South Africa @NRF_News]

The 2023 African Nuclear Physics Conference (ANPC), hosted by NRF-iThemba LABS, kicked off yesterday in Mpumalanga. The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr @ButiManamela, opened the conference.

@iThembaLABSCape @dsigovza

[iThemba LABS @iThembaLABSCape]

The stage is set for the start of the African Nuclear Physics Conference. A conference that incorporates a workshop to explore research opportunities through Knockout Reaction Studies. The pursuit of knowledge turns UNclear into NUclear. @dsigovza @NRF_News

[Trevor Cage @TrevorCageWeb3]

Dear woman

You are capable 😊
You are wonderful and fearful made
You've got this
You tick all the boxes
You are smart
There is nothing you can't handle
You are full of wisdom
You are a power house
You are beautiful
You belong there✊🏿

There is nothing lacking or missing

[iThemba LABS @iThembaLABSCape]

Ever considered "edutainment" as an option over the weekend? Come and listen to exciting and informative talks as female scientists step out of their labs to share their research. @SoapboxScience @SoapboxSciCT @UCT_news @dsigovza @NRF_SAASTA @VandAWaterfront

[iThemba LABS @iThembaLABSCape]

What a privilege to host delegates attending the 4th Africa-NEMS hosted by @iaeaorg in partnership with @necsa_Ltd and @DMRE_ZA. The guided tour of the research infrastructure explored the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. @NRF_News

[National Research Foundation of South Africa @NRF_News]

NRF-iThemba LABS has the following 7 job opportunities available:
• Radiation Biologist
• Supply Chain Controller
• Software Engineer
• Manager: Electronics Engineering
• Manager: Control Electronics & Software Engineering
• Project Manager
• Manager: Radio-Frequency

[iThemba LABS @iThembaLABSCape]

Are you a SA citizen, under the age of 32, and interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in accelerator-based science and technology? Visit https://t.co/qiRVejvSn8 for more information. The closing date for applications is 30 October 2023. @NRF_News @dsigovza

[iThemba LABS @iThembaLABSCape]

Target bombardment station of the South African Isotope Facility at NRF-iThemba LABS demonstrated to visitors. Next week we start with the Acceptance Tests conducted by @IBA_RadioPharma #NuclearIsGreen @NRF_News @dsigovza

[NITheCS @NITheCS]

Upskill with programming skills that will make your research easier. Apply today to join the next Software Carpentry Workshop, taking place online from 28 Aug to 1 Sep 2023 @ 09h00 - 13h00 daily. Details: https://t.co/7Z4LaHlgmj | Apply: https://t.co/bEqZ85Wt6d #programming

[National Research Foundation of South Africa @NRF_News]

NRF-SAASTA has the following job opportunities available in Pretoria:
- Project Coordinator
- Project Officers x 2
To learn more/apply, please visit the NRF Recruitment Portal here: https://t.co/cHxATzAXgu

[National Research Foundation of South Africa @NRF_News]

Applications are invited for the 2024 France-South Africa Scholarship Programme. @CampusFranceZA
▪️ Master's and PhD
▪️ Open to students from South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi.
▪️ All fields of study
Learn more/apply here: https://t.co/2Gmk4zSy7r
Closing date: 16 Oct 2023

[Kgashane Malatji @kgashanel]

https://t.co/win4syK2Fw via @FacebookWatch

[Andrew Akbashev @Andrew_Akbashev]

Postdoc is conceptually different from a #PhD position. Below are some key points to keep in mind before starting postdoc.

1️⃣ The harsh reality of being a postdoc:

1. Postdoc is a contractual (not educational) position. Your postdoc duties are defined by your contract & agreement with your advisor.

2. Usually, a contract is given for 1 year and renewed annually. It does NOT offer the same job security that PhD students enjoy. Be prepared to start searching for a new position in 1st year and leave anytime.

3. Postdoc is inherently a position for academia (with a few exceptions like in bio). Often, companies will assume that you’ve chosen an academic track, not industry. They’d rather hire a fresh PhD graduate from the same field than a postdoc. So, your job search outside academia may become challenging, especially if you do fundamental research.

4. If you want to be a faculty, your postdoc may require a lot more efforts than you originally expected, making it the most intense time of your life. Be prepared.

_________

2️⃣ If you take postdoc because you want to be more competitive for senior academic positions, keep in mind that:

0. Choosing the right lab & advisor is statistically MORE important than simply working hard and publishing papers during postdoc (esp. in the U.S.). However, working with an advisor who can write an excellent recommendation letter does NOT mean that you will also get prepared for a faculty life and become a great scientist. Your advisor should be a good mentor for this.

1. As the competition for faculty positions can easily reach over 1/300 and you have ~1 year before applying for positions, postdoc time often turns into a “race”. The worst part is that hard work does NOT necessarily lead to success.

2. Postdoc is NOT a must for being a faculty. Some students secure professor positions at the end of their PhDs (esp. at the top universities in the U.S.).

3. Postdoc lasts 1-3 years. If you’re a first-year postdoc and apply for faculty positions, committees will be OK with you showing your PhD work during interview. But starting from your 2nd year, they expect you to show successful postdoc results.

4. Some committees expect that a 3-year postdoc should complete as much work as a 5-year PhD student. It’s like a fast-track PhD.

5. Often (esp. in STEM), the expected number of “postdoc papers” is on average 1 paper per 1 year, unless the work is unusually complex. NOT 10 papers/year.

6. Publishing a lot of papers is normally viewed negatively. Coauthoring tens of papers will send a RED flag to the committee. For decent universities, it's (almost always) quality over quantity.

7. Doing a second postdoc is rarely helpful in landing a faculty position.

8. Ideally, postdoc should be in a different field than your PhD. Switching fields is viewed positively and can be helpful in landing a faculty position. But it is much more challenging because your time is very limited but you must do outstanding research. Also, I know many people who didn’t change fields but became faculties nonetheless.

Good luck!

#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter

[Kgashane Malatji @kgashanel]

@padsley A sad reality 😒

[National Research Foundation of South Africa @NRF_News]

NRF-iThemba LABS has a job opportunity for a Senior Research Scientist in Cape Town. Please follow this link to the NRF's Recruitment Portal to apply/learn more: https://t.co/cHxATzBv62. Deadline: 16 May 2023

@iThembaLABSCape