Mentorship, financial security and a positive sense of self-worth increase the likelihood that underrepresented minority and female postdocs will pursue a career in academia.

Science hackathons can help academics, particularly those in the early stage of their careers, to build collaborations and write research proposals.

Following a career in science involves long hours and hard work, but as Eve Marder explains in the first of a series of columns, it can also be extremely rewarding.

When a scientist dies too early in their career we miss them as a colleague and as a person and, as Eve Marder explains, we also lose the science they would have done.

The Janelia Research Campus opened its doors 12 years ago: we describe the philosophy underpinning Janelia, the lessons learned, and plans for the future.

Journals can benefit from listening to graduate students, postdocs and newly-independent group leaders.

There are many reasons for submitting your best work to eLife, especially if you are an early career researcher.

eLife deputy editor Fiona M Watt recounts some of her personal experiences as a senior female academic in a male-dominated environment.

As the world attempts to cope with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers about to start PhDs and postdocs face particular challenges.