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In scramble for science faculty jobs, timing is key

Parlaying a postdoc into one of a dwindling number of faculty positions takes hard work and sheer luck.

By Jessica Wright
14 November 2016 | 6 min read

Rising star: Vanessa Bal traverses fine work-life balance

Parent, partner and professional — the need to fulfill all of these roles at once complicates Vanessa Bal’s life.

By Ann Griswold
14 November 2016 | 10 min read

Specialized grants allow ex-scientists to restart careers

After an extended leave from a job, some scientists may struggle to reclaim their careers. A reentry grant can put them back in the game.

By Nala Rogers
14 November 2016 | 7 min read

Academic couples see upsides to ‘two-body problem’

Researchers in a relationship may have trouble finding jobs in the same place, but some pairs see this as an opportunity.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
14 November 2016 | 6 min read

Questions for Yael Niv: How to fight sexism in science

Male scientists typically dominate speaker lineups at conferences. The skewed gender ratio stunts women’s careers — and progress in science.

By Ann Griswold
14 November 2016 | 7 min read
variety of channels for science communication

Beyond citations: Why scientists need to engage with public

Scientists should regularly relate their work to a broad audience, and universities should support these efforts.

By Bhismadev Chakrabarti
14 November 2016 | 5 min read

From the archives

Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Helen Tager-Flusberg: Decoding the language of autism

The language deficit in autism is complex and diverse. With a no-nonsense and thoughtful approach, Helen Tager-Flusberg has devoted her career to sorting it all out.

By Virginia Hughes
24 November 2011 | 6 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Rising star: Brian O’Roak brings ‘A’ game to autism genetics

Brian O’Roak has helped to steer some of the largest, most complex studies of autism genetics to date.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
21 January 2016 | 10 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

How to build a better scientist

Budding scientists need career guidance from faculty mentors, not just technical handholding by graduate students, suggests a comprehensive review.

By Jennifer Richler
10 March 2015 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Parents turn their skills to furthering autism research

Most parents educate themselves as much as possible when their child is diagnosed with a disorder. A handful of others — in many cases, mothers — have devoted their professional lives to research on autism-related disorders.

By Emily Singer
9 May 2013 | 7 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

How to undo stereotypes that hinder women in science

Late this summer, a paper from Yale University researchers led by Jo Handelsman delivered some sobering news: There is still a clear bias against female scientists. The findings confirm the impression of many women in science, at all career levels, who feel undervalued.

By Hazel Sive
11 December 2012 | 6 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Women researchers in autism face glass ceiling

Women scientists did much of the important early work in the field of autism, but they still struggle with lower salaries, more teaching responsibilities in their institutions and fewer opportunities to head up large, multi-center collaborations.

By Deborah Rudacille
29 August 2011 | 6 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

dendritic spine images

Targeting NMDA receptor subunit reverses fragile X traits in mice

The subunit acts as a “volume control” on signaling that shapes the density of dendritic spines, the new work suggests.

By Angie Voyles Askham
6 March 2025 | 5 min read
A pregnant woman seen in profile, sitting on the edge of a bed.

Maternal infection’s link to autism may be a mirage

Family-linked factors explain most associations between maternal illness and autism, a study of 1.1 million Danish children finds.

By Charles Q. Choi
6 March 2025 | 3 min read
Headshots of Michelle Monje and Frank Winkler.

2025 Brain Prize honors pair of cancer neuroscientists

Michelle Monje and Frank Winkler share the $1.4 million award for their discovery of synapses between brain cancer cells and neurons.

By Sydney Wyatt
5 March 2025 | 3 min read