A Postdoc's Journal
von Simit Patel
CV WRITING
Über diesen Podcast
A Postdoc’s Journal is a personal and reflective podcast offering a candid look at the emotional journey I went through navigating life as a postdoctoral research scientist. Hosted by me (Simit Patel, PhD - www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab), a former academic who spent years journalling through the highs and lows of my postdoc.
Each episode delves into real journal entries from that time in my life, followed by reflections on mental health, academia, and life beyond the lab.
Whether you’re a current postdoc, an aspiring academic, or someone recovering from the rigors of academic life, this podcast offers relatable stories, emotional support, and insights from someone who has been there. Join me for honest conversations about impostor syndrome, burnout, and the challenges that come with academic research, all aimed at reminding you that you are not alone in this journey.
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- CV WRITING · 27 Min. · Staffel 2 Folge 10SEASON 2, EPISODE 10: CV WRITING. This episode is about trying to write a CV. This is the LAST EPISODE of Season 2!! I revisit a journal entry I wrote in September 2014. I had…
- ANGER MANAGEMENT · 21 Min. · Staffel 2 Folge 9SEASON 2, EPISODE 9: ANGER MANAGEMENT This episode maps out a cycle of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours I was stuck in. I would start by feeling very anxious and end in…
- AM I DELUSIONAL ABOUT STAYING IN ACADEMIA? · 18 Min. · Staffel 2 Folge 8SEASON 2, EPISODE 8: AM I DELUSIONAL ABOUT STAYING IN ACADEMIA? This episode is about me trying to navigate the end of my postdoc. I revisit a journal entry I wrote in September…
- SHOULD I STAY IN ACADEMIA? · 23 Min. · Staffel 2 Folge 7SEASON 2, EPISODE 7: SHOULD I STAY IN ACADEMIA? This episode is about me trying to figure out how I can stay in academia. This journal entry reminded me that I actually tried…
- GUT FEELINGS · 24 Min. · Staffel 2 Folge 6SEASON 2, EPISODE 6: GUT FEELINGS This episode is about using your intuition to figure out what you want. Sometimes, what you want is in conflict with the demands of the…
- ASKING FOR TIME OFF · 24 Min. · Staffel 2 Folge 5SEASON 2, EPISODE 5: ASKING FOR TIME OFF This episode is about taking time off from work. I examine why I used to feel quite uncomfortable asking for time off while I was a…
- DEPRESSION · 29 Min. · Staffel 2 Folge 4SEASON 2, EPISODE 4: DEPRESSION This episode is my experience of depression. It is not as dramatic or as extreme as other accounts of depression you may have heard, but I think…
- ACCEPTANCE · 20 Min. · Staffel 2 Folge 3SEASON 2, EPISODE 3: ACCEPTANCE This episode is about accepting the negative beliefs you have about yourself. By revisiting this journal entry, I realised that I still experience…
- COLLABORATION · 17 Min. · Staffel 2 Folge 2SEASON 2, EPISODE 2: COLLABORATION This episode is about how uncomfortable I used to feel about collaboration during my postdoc and how I started to lose the joy in things I used…
- TAKING A BREAK MIGHT NOT BE THE ANSWER · 21 Min. · Staffel 2 Folge 1SEASON 2, EPISODE 1: TAKING BREAK MIGHT NOT BE THE ANSWER This episode is about returning to a stressful situation after taking a break. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to fall…
- BONUS: 1000 DOWNLOADS + ANNOUCEMENTS · 4 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 13BONUS: 1000 DOWNLOADS + ANNOUCEMENTS A Massive thank you to everyone who has helped me get to the significant milestone of 1000 downloads. For more information about the podcast…
- LACK OF MENTORSHIP · 21 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 12EPISODE 12: LACK OF MENTORSHIP This is the LAST EPISODE of season 1!! In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from December 2013--just after Christmas. I…
- HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT · 17 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 11EPISODE 11: HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from December 2013-just before Christmas. This is a slightly…
- LIFE LESSONS · 25 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 10EPISODE 10: LIFE LESSONS In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from December 2013. This is the fist time I started asking the pivotal question that…
- FIXED-TERM CONTRACT · 26 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 9EPISODE 9: FIXED-TERM CONTRACT In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from July 2013, reflecting on my contract renewal struggles and the lack of job…
- YEAR 1 REVIEW · 21 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 8EPISODE 8: YEAR 1 REVIEW In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read out a personal journal entry from December 2012—close to the end of my first year of my postdoc. I give…
- FEELING BULLIED · 22 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 7EPISODE 7: FEELING BULLIED In this episode of "A Postdocs Journal," we jump to the middle of October 2012, about two weeks after EPISODE 6. I discuss the challenges of changing…
- IT'S NOT ENOUGH · 23 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 6EPISODE 6: IT'S NOT ENOUGH In this episode, we jump to October 2012—about nine months into my postdoc. In this journal entry, I am reviewing my year so far and I'm judging my…
- WORK LIFE IMBALANCE · 20 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 5EPISODE 5: WORK LIFE IMBALANCE In this episode, we jump to May 2012—about three to four months into the postdoc. At this point things still weren't going well in the lab, but I…
- MAYBE I'M NOT THE PROBLEM · 20 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 4EPISODE 4: MAYBE I'M NOT THE PROBLEM Firstly, a MASSIVE thank you to my listeners for your support so far. I reflect a little bit about what I've learned so far from all of you…







