🚀 go-pugleaf

Subject: Re: Request: info about postdocs in ecology, zoology, computational biology
Newsgroups: sci.research.postdoc,sci.bio.ecology,sci.bio,bionet.jobs
References: <RMT.94Apr1130117@bronte.cs.unh.edu>
Distribution: usa
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5

Roy M. Turner (rmt@cs.unh.edu) wrote:
:> 
:> Hi,
:> 
:> I am a research professor in computer science (PhD Ga. Tech, '89 in artificial
:> intelligence).  I am currently exploring the possibility of changing fields to
:> biology.  I have a background that includes quite a bit of biology, and I have
:> done a little work with a zoologist that involves simulating the population
:> dynamics of nudibranchs and the interaction of nudibranchs and hydroids in
:> fouling communities.
:> 
:> One way I'm thinking of to change fields is to try to find a postdoc position
:> in biology or a biology-related field.  I would be most grateful for any
:> information you might have on postdocs (or on finding postdocs or postdoctoral
:> funding) in ecology, marine ecology, zoology, or computational biology (as a
:> bridge, possibly, if not an end in itself).
:> 
:> I'm still in the exploratory phase, so any advice is welcome (including "Go
:> back! Don't do it!").
:> 

This brings up a very good point with regards to the current structure
that has been artificially setup within the scientific community. This
structure makes it difficult for a proven scientist to move between
fields. It seems reasonable that someone with a Ph.D. in one area of 
science should be able to move to another area without a problem
because a Ph.D. should be proof that one is capable of scientific 
investigation. However, functioning reasoning skills are not the
unique measurement of worth in the scientific community. In fact,
they are most probably the least considered attribute when a candidate
is considered. Instead, experience is the most valuable attribute
considered by the PI.

Of course, Roy has some experience in simulating the population
dynamics of nudibranchs and the interaction of nudibranchs and
hydroids in fouling communities and that may assist a move into
biology if he wishes to make it. But, what about the truly curious scientist
that read a popular article on the population dynamics of nudibranchs
and had some experience in computer simulation. 
This scientist is educated enough (Ph.D.) to read the literature and
to publish his results. (If there is there is a problem with this
reasoning please point it out to me.) However, a PI studying
nudibranchs will most likely hire a postdoc with
nudibranch experience over a computer scientist with limpet experience.

The point that I am trying to make is that the rigid structure of the
scientific community makes it virtually impossible to cross
between the artificially created fields and subfields of science
under simple curiosity driven desire. I believe that this will
result in inbreeding which may result in many stagnant fields.
At least the geneticists out there should agree with me in 
a hypothesis that encouraging cross fertilization will result in
individual hybrids that can flourish in many fields.
I hope that evolutionists reading this will be encouraged
as well. Physicists and Mathematicians already know some
of the profits of such a venture as do Biochemists. Perhaps 
a policy of a open door would encourage more exploration
of natural philosophy as the Doctor of Philosophy degree was
originally labeled.

Why am I making this statement? Out of frustration. Out of
anger. Out of pain. 

I have chosen to follow one road: High Energy Physics. 
However, I am not exclusively interested in High Energy Physics. 
I have dabbled in optics, genetics, astronomy, astrophysics
marine biology, chemistry, electronics and cosmology and
I have found each very interesting. I have recently begun 
a personal curiosity driven after hours research in
Environmental Science. I may never see anything that I have done
in these secondary fields, published. But I will continue 
learning in all of these fields. But, as the High Energy Physics 
Community shrinks from the demise of the SSC I may no longer
even be employed in  research, but it is not from the lack
of interest.



--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Forbush

forbush@panofsky.desy.de

and now for the funny part....

Sorry, nothings funny today.

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Forbush

forbush@panofsky.desy.de

and now for the funny part....

Sorry, nothings funny today