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"I felt that it was time to return, now that Portugal was changing and giving us much better conditions, [and] that we should contribute to the development of the country," says Bruno Silva-Santos.

"The priority for most researchers is an independent career in research. For me, the next step is either another postdoc or getting my own funding. But if the funding doesn't come through, I'll probably quit." --John Bothwell

His cultural identity has not caused any real hardships or put any of his professional goals out of reach, Bounceur feels.

"If [a career framework] is just going to be a lot of woolly phrases that don't help anyone, then there is no point." --Lee Higham, Newcastle University

Due to the high volume of questions received, the CareerDoctor cannot answer all queries on an individual basis. Look for an answer to your question published in this column soon! Thank you!

"There are no age limits; it is the extent of the researcher's experience that counts."

"It was time for me to go and find new challenges and learn new techniques before I became part of the old furniture of the department."

I am using the time wisely and, right now, I feel like I'm the lucky one

A key indicator of your ‘lab cred’ is whether people you’ve never met know who you are when you first meet them.

There's never a dull moment working for a Spontaneous Idea Generator. The only problem is sorting out the diamonds from the dust.

Now is the time to make the most of getting published, even while unpaid.

"Admit that sooner or later you need to be yourself when you're at work--and that's when you'll start to enjoy it."

"Brought back down to earth sharply when I realise that it will take the insight of Einstein, the prose of Proust, and the spin of Alastair Campbell to turn this mess of half-baked ideas into any kind of story."

My fellowship has given me the opportunity to collect research experiences from different disciplines, meet a lot of interesting people, and understand the problems I've dealt with from various viewpoints. And by doing so I've had a lot fun.

You are asked a particularly awkward question after your conference presentation. Do you: a) Blurt out 'I was afraid someone would ask that question.'

"We at PdOC are trying to provide a support network for postdocs and contract research staff."

If you were to catch a glimpse of my desk now, you would surely recognise the German influence on me: Everything is perfectly ordered.

I quickly learned that my geography was lacking and that Spain has a small "Scottish" corner where it rains!

Given the opportunity, Jana Kadukova says she would definitely be keen to work abroad again. "In my opinion, everyone should try this once in their life," she says

If you read things at face value and don't wise up to the hidden meanings in paper-speak, you might get left behind.