Who is an Early-Career Researcher?

By: Shashikant Nishant Sharma

An early-career researcher typically refers to an individual who is in the early stages of their research career, often shortly after completing their doctoral studies or obtaining their terminal degree. This phase of a researcher’s career is characterized by a focus on building expertise, establishing an independent research agenda, and gaining recognition within their field. The term may be used somewhat differently in various academic and research contexts, but generally, an early-career researcher is someone who is in the early years of their professional research journey.

Key characteristics of early-career researchers include:

  1. Ph.D. or Terminal Degree:
    • Early-career researchers typically hold a Ph.D. or other terminal degree relevant to their field of study.
  2. Limited Research Experience:
    • They are in the early stages of their research career and may have limited post-doctoral or professional research experience.
  3. Establishing Independence:
    • Early-career researchers are often in the process of establishing their independence as scholars. They may transition from being part of a research team to leading their own projects.
  4. Building a Research Agenda:
    • They are actively working on defining and building their own research agenda, which includes identifying research questions, securing funding, and conducting original investigations.
  5. Securing Funding:
    • Early-career researchers may be in the process of applying for and securing research grants or funding to support their projects.
  6. Publishing Research:
    • Publishing in peer-reviewed journals is a significant aspect of an early-career researcher’s work, as it helps disseminate their findings and establish their reputation within the academic community.
  7. Networking and Collaboration:
    • Building professional networks and collaborations is crucial for early-career researchers. Collaborating with established researchers can provide mentorship and opportunities for growth.
  8. Navigating Career Pathways:
    • Early-career researchers are often exploring different career pathways within academia or related research fields. This may involve balancing teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities.
  9. Career Development:
    • They are engaged in ongoing professional development, attending conferences, workshops, and other events to stay current in their field and enhance their skills.

Early-career researchers play a vital role in advancing knowledge within their disciplines, and they contribute fresh perspectives and ideas to the academic community. Institutions and funding agencies often provide support and resources specifically targeted at early-career researchers to help them navigate the early stages of their research careers.

References

References

Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2023). Fundamentals of Research Writing and Uses of Research Methodologies. Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd.

Sharma, S. N. (2023a, October 7). Understanding citations: A crucial element of academic writing. Track2Training. https://track2training.com/2023/10/07/understanding-citations-a-crucial-element-of-academic-writing/

Sharma, S. N. (2023b, October 15). Leveraging GIS for enhanced planning education. Track2Training. https://track2training.com/2023/10/15/leveraging-gis-for-enhanced-planning-education/

Sharma, S. N. (2023c, November 15). How to embark collaborative journey of action research. Track2Training. https://track2training.com/2023/11/15/how-to-embark-collaborative-journey-of-action-research/

Sharma, S. N., & Dehalwar, K. (2023, November 13). Guidelines for writing a good term paper. Track2Training. https://track2training.com/2023/11/13/guidelines-for-writing-a-good-term-paper/