Philipp Gramlich and Karin Bodewits are the founders of Natural Science Careers - a career counselling and soft skills seminar company for scientists. For News from Chemistry, they both write about observations from their consultancy work.

I was a year and a half into my postdoc when I realised: We were at a dead end. We wanted to create a molecular machine, a supramolecular system that could synthesise itself. But even smaller test systems required 15 to 20 preparative steps. And as soon as we had enough material for tests, the disappointment was great - the molecular machine didn't work.

I had the feeling that something fundamental had to change. So I went home and thought, read and thought some more. After three days away from the lab, I found two publications in journals that I wasn't normally interested in. They showed me that our machine was going in the wrong direction! This led to an unstable intermediate stage in the reaction sequence. So we simply had to design the machine so that it ran in the opposite direction.

For employers, the conclusion that can be drawn from this episode is: trust your employees and don't establish such an unattendance culture in the first place. If there is a specific reason why work can only be done in attendance, then it has to be done. If you only require attendance because it has always been done this way, then why not conduct an experiment: can it work without bum-chair contact? You then have to measure work success instead of attendance. It's more difficult, but also more beneficial for all sides.

Philipp Gramlich, p.gramlich@naturalscience.careers

In guides on the subject of "You and your career", you will almost always find the reflexive advice "Be yourself". But is that actually true?

Let's start with a situation in which we are usually hardly authentic: the job interview. Imagine you are representing the employer's side and are currently at a low point in your motivation due to some interpersonal disputes in your company. If the applicant asks about the working atmosphere in the company during the interview, you would most likely not address your own problems, but describe the employer in general. It is therefore a normal part of such an interview that you show a certain side of yourself: the very focussed, tactical, professional you. Everyone involved knows these rules and will evaluate your behaviour in this context.

If your work suits you, in most situations you won't even notice that you're taking on a certain role. However, if you constantly feel like you're being watched or that you can't be yourself, this can definitely be a warning. Can you talk to your boss or a trusted colleague and reflect on your thoughts? Perhaps you perceive expectations of yourself that don't exist? Or are you working for an employer or in a position that doesn't suit you? Then take your gut feeling seriously and explore where you can be more yourself.

Philipp Gramlich, p.gramlich@naturalscience.careers

In 2005, I was flirting with the idea of doing a thesis with the newly appointed professor at our institute - when I told my internship supervisor Jan about it, I was met with disdain. "Well, after a few standard syntheses, you put everything into the DNA synthesiser and get a few milligrams of DNA out. And then what?" the experienced doctoral student whispered at me. I countered that there were exciting interdisciplinary questions that the recent Leibniz Prize winner would address with the small amounts of DNA. That's right, Jan replied, and "the new professor can write great papers with it. But what does that do for your career?" The key unique selling point of chemists is that nobody else can produce and characterise molecules and other chemical substances.

Jump forward to the present. There has long been speculation about how artificial intelligence (AI) would change our working lives - for three years now, ChatGPT and co. have been showing the reality. These models can now do almost everything that can be easily parameterised much better than the smartest and most experienced humans. In times of AI, the question arises: Is our unique selling point as chemists still one? After all, chemical bonds and reactions can be parameterised extremely well.

Philipp Gramlich, p.gramlich@naturalscience.careers

Science belongs on the web, that is almost a matter of course today. Studies show: Work that is shared on social media is cited more frequently. Platforms such as Bluesky, LinkedIn and the like bring research to the attention of journalists, support public relations work - and many funding organisations now expect research networks to be present there. In short: if you want reach and need funding, you can hardly avoid social media.

A post sometimes achieves more reach than a conference presentation. A short lab video on Instagram inspires colleagues and laypeople alike. Outreach becomes measurable: followers, clicks, likes, shares. And such figures can be used directly in the funding application or in the final report.

At the same time, many researchers simply don't want to use social media. And those who do try quickly realise that it eats up time. Then there is the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), which affects scientists just like everyone else. Relevant reach doesn't happen overnight. Visibility requires interaction - responses, comments, discussions - and therefore a lot of time. If you have to painstakingly build up a following over the years, you will quickly put more energy into scrolling than into research. Social media then feels like a second job. Except that the real job, namely experiments, manuscripts and applications, is left undone.

But there is one piece of good news. Nobody has to do everything alone. And you can reach people via social media without having to be active on every platform yourself. Many universities and research organisations have their own social media channels. Simply pass on the publication - and the relevant team will make it visible. Or there may be someone on the author list who is already active and happy to share the work. And if you want to reach a less specialised audience with your research, you can use the reach of others: Science influencers with thousands of followers are constantly looking for ideas. Content in exchange for reach - a classic win-win.

Make sure your research is recognised beyond the ivory tower. Nothing must, everything can. So you can definitely incorporate your preferences, and that's exactly what can make these communication channels appealing. Don't be stressed by the fear of missing out (FOMO), but also enjoy the joy of missing out (JOMO). You decide what you do with your time - and that includes slowing down through focussed research work.

Karin Bodewits, k.bodewits@naturalscience.careers

In a presentation workshop, we look at Valters' presentation that he created for his industrial internship. He presents vividly and clearly, but his slides contradict what we discussed in the workshop. I cautiously enquire: "Did you have to use a template or did you design it yourself?" "It's the company's corporate design," he replies, "cute but useless."

At first glance, the slides are quite appealing: not overloaded, the colours harmonise, there are even uniform symbols for standard processes.

The corporate design includes a wide, beige-coloured band in the background of the slide - a weak point of the template. The band looks innocent, running unobtrusively through the left half of the slide. But it is not just a background: if elements are placed over it, contrast is lost. If you leave out the band, only the right half of the slide remains for information.

"What is the function of the title slide?" I move on to my second point of criticism. "I have to name all the people and departments involved and show the logos of the products concerned." Valters makes no secret of the fact that the template bothers him. The entire content of the title can go in the acknowledgements, the second last slide. The last slide should be the summary to catalyse a discussion.

"On all slides, the company logo is at the top left. What would be a better position for it?" I ask the group. Anna's finger shoots up: "From everything we've discussed so far, I reckon the rubbish bin." Not bad - and if that's not possible, the thank-you foil could be a compromise. It's a common sin of templaters to wallpaper the most prominent position of every single slide with a redundant logo.

All the problems I address show the same thing: the organisation puts itself at the centre instead of the audience. If you want to serve your audience, then simply leave out all corporate nonsense. A headline colour that appears in the logo is more subtle and completely sufficient to stand out.

As presenters, we are often forced to use poor templates. We can advocate for change, but the primary responsibility lies with the communications departments: Focus on the audience:inside.

Philipp Gramlich, p.gramlich@naturalscience.careers

The recession in which Germany finds itself is not a crash like the one after the Lehman bankruptcy. But it seems to be dragging on like chewing gum. More and more young scientists are reacting to the real and expected economic difficulties by aiming for the medium-term safe haven of a postdoc. This is because the funds in the research budgets are allocated for several years, which makes them appear to be a rock in the surf.

Whether things will look rosier in two years' time than they do today is impossible to predict. The postdoc tactic could therefore merely postpone the problem. If you choose the postdoc route, please only do so if you are actively working on marketable skills and a broad network in the meantime.

Taking the supposedly safe postdoc route is not the only option. There are a few things we can do to survive in an increasingly competitive labour market: Employer awareness, location and your field of work.

The third factor is the job. You have a scientific degree, so a research and development position is the obvious choice. That's what most people think, which is why these jobs are often highly competitive. Find out why you are attracted to such positions. For example, do you value the intellectual stimulation or the freedom of scientific work? Take an unbiased look at the job market and search for any positions that can offer you this.

Consider whether your job search actually reflects your own interests. If you don't reflect on your own desires, then look for happiness where most others do.

Karin Bodewits, k.bodewits@naturalscience.careers

In a workshop on networking, we first look at profiles in professional social media such as LinkedIn. Then I want to know what other networking activities the participants are involved in. Finally, I ask them where they would like to go after their doctorate or postdoc. Yannis takes the floor: "I would like to work in the chemical industry straight after my doctorate."

"You show what you've done so far, but not where you want to go," I say. And he's not an isolated case. Most participants take the same approach as him.

We can describe ourselves on social media and in our application documents in such a way that we become relevant and discoverable for the desired network partners and employers. An open-to-work badge above the profile picture is not enough. An example: Sarah wanted to switch to industry after a long postdoc. During her postdoc, she did preparatory work for a spin-off for her supervisor. Instead of leaving this unsuccessful experience unmentioned in her eyes, she could describe it in her CV for job applications and on social media: "Feasibility study for a spin-off of Prof. Mayer's research group". Because her profile immediately shows that she is academically fit. However, employers from industry are more interested in whether she can also work in a non-academic environment and are happy when Sarah gives more space to this experience.

You also have freedom in terms of what you do and how you do it within your network. Are you interested in collaborating with the industry? Then look for conferences or other networking events where delegates from academia and industry meet. Do you want to meet someone specific there? Then look for overlaps with other delegates in advance. Do you share interests with your target person that you can use as starting points for a conversation? Is there someone in your network who could put you in touch with them?

With a little thought, preparation and creativity, you can actively manage the development of your network and align it with your personal goals.

Philipp Gramlich, p.gramlich@naturalscience.careers

"Hey Dad, do you know the stupidest statement of all time?" one of my sons asks me at the dinner table. Before I can make my guess, he shoots out: "100 is a big number." He acknowledges my puzzled expression with a triumphant grin. I reply: "If I may make a guess, I reckon it's not the most stupid statement in the world. However, it is one of the most stupid statements."

The afternoon before this interview, I gave a scientist from a well-known pharmaceutical company feedback on his presentation. When we got to the inevitable wow slide of the company self-presentation, I thought: "Not again!" Why? The target audience of the presentation were graduates whose interest in the company was to be aroused. The slide contained a series of large numbers without context, such as: "5 billion euros research budget". Although this amount sounds huge, it doesn't say anything at first. During the consultation, we worked out how this figure could be brought to life. What percentage of turnover is spent on research and how high is this percentage compared to that of the competition? Even non-experts can do something with this information.

"Before we look for a specific job, we first have to analyse ourselves," I begin the topic of introspection in a career workshop. Some participants seem curious, others don't. "As a 30-year-old, do I really need extensive navel-gazing?" asks Ezra with a grin.

At another workshop, Oskar claimed right at the beginning: "I know my goal, I want to become a patent attorney." When asked, he explained that he enjoys intellectual challenges and precise use of language - this would fit in well with the requirements of a patent attorney. During the workshop, his introspection revealed that he thinks best when discussing with colleagues. Of course, patent attorneys also exchange ideas with each other, but that only makes up a small part of their working time. The rest is spent alone. Oskar had to think again about his suitability for his apparent dream job.

If scientists take a long time to get their first job, it's not because their application is weak or they are shy at the interview. Instead, there is almost always a lack of reflection on their own goals and strengths.

Through such introspection, you become aware of your own desires. This is because we often adopt the ideas of charismatic people whose judgement we accept uncritically. But then we follow their vision, not ours.

If you are clear about what you want, then you can better describe your commitment to the position. Without this clarity, many cover letters sound like ChatGPT has rephrased the requirements from the job advert into a cover letter.

Whispers from the outside world have the disadvantage that you are following well-trodden standard paths. But what happens when you apply for the same kind of jobs in the same organisations in the same places as most of your competitors? That's right. You'll have a hard time standing out in this crowded part of the labour market.

Philipp Gramlich, p.gramlich@naturalscience.careers

In a coaching session, Magda is sitting opposite me, who is about to take on a job as a production manager. She talks about the upcoming negotiation with her boss: "She's a tough person and I don't think she'll give in." Magda's move to production would mean a change to her employment contract, as she would also have to come in at night in emergencies. In return, Magda wants to work from home one day a week - not the easiest starting point.

Bahn AG could have responded to the employee side by starting negotiations early without worsening its own negotiating position. "Is there anything you could give your boss without it hurting you?" I ask Magda. She nods. "Of course I would agree to the contract change if I took on responsibility in production, but not for nothing." I continue: "And vice versa: would there be advantages for your boss if you occasionally worked from home?" "Of course. In production, it's like a chicken coop, I can't work quietly when I have to write a report, for example. It's much better at home."

The negotiation tactics now seem clear: Magda will first speak to her boss alone. She will ask what the management expects from her. The two of them will then jointly consider how they can achieve a win-win situation, which will then be presented to the HR department as a complete package.

In an application workshop, I demonstrate the classic introduction to a job interview with the American Faye: "Tell me a bit about yourself." She answers like a shot from a gun: In 60 seconds, we learn the highlights of her educational background, her motivation for applying and her added value for the fictitious employer. The other participants look impressed, but also a little worried. Andreas summarises his thoughts: "If we were competing for the same job, I could pack up - I could never convince the employer so strongly."

Faye has done a good job. In the USA, such short self-introductions are part of the school curriculum - it's clear that she speaks so fluently. Nevertheless: nothing would have been lost for the competitors in the fictitious situation.

Faye presented herself in her mother tongue, she played a home game. That is both a blessing and a curse. We are all calmer when we are allowed to speak the language we grew up with. This is because native speakers have to expend less mental energy to find the right words. However, speaking very fluently can also mean that the tongue is faster than the mind.1) In discussions, this can lead to impulsive (re-)actions; in a presentation, it can lead to an excessive speaking speed. Having to find your words first can therefore be an advantage. This is usually the case when you express yourself in a foreign language.

I ask the group: "Did you understand everything Faye said?" "Her English is very good, of course," replies Felix. "But I find it easier to understand the English of someone who isn't a native speaker." During the last coffee break, he had a conversation with Andreas from Lower Bavaria - whose dialect was difficult for Felix, who was born in Flensburg, to understand. In contrast, Andreas' strong German accent when he speaks English is not nice to listen to, but very easy to understand.

If you speak in a foreign language, this doesn't have to be a disadvantage for you: a more laborious, but possibly more careful choice of words and perhaps even better comprehensibility play into your hands.

Philipp Gramlich, p.gramlich@naturalscience.careers

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