Careers articles from across Nature Portfolio

Despite much anecdotal evidence, few studies show pervasive racial bias in promotion and tenure decisions. By analysing 1,571 real promotion and tenure cases across five US universities, Masters-Waage et al. find double standards negatively applied to scholars of colour, and especially women of colour, even after accounting for scholarly productivity.

Masters-Waage et al. report that underrepresented minority (URM) faculty in the USA face barriers in the promotion and tenure process, receiving more negative votes and fewer unanimous positive decisions at the college level. This is partly due to a double standard: URM faculty are held to a higher standard than non-URM faculty in terms of scholarly productivity.

In this new instalment of our Career Pathways series, Marina García-Macia and Fei Yin highlight the impact and joys of building a team and share with us key milestones that have shaped their careers so far, including the importance of making the most of every situation, finding the right mentors, and pursuing the questions that they are passionate about.

The share of women recipients of professional awards in Social and Personality Psychology has increased between 1968 and 2021. Yet, this increase is partially explained by women receiving proportionally more service and teaching awards, whereas research awards are given to men.

Angelika Rambold and Santiago Vernia reflect on how a very early interest in science has shaped their career, their research interests and their mentoring style.

Following one’s passion and curiosity are major drivers for a successful career in science, and finding the right mentors and collaborators is essential in this journey. In the thirteenth part of our Career pathways series, Alexis Jourdain and Feilong Wang share their experience.

The ASTRO 3D Centre of Excellence achieved 50% women personnel over a 5 yr time-frame by implementing a suite of evidence-based recruitment and retention initiatives. These initiatives changed how postdoctoral researchers were recruited and helped to develop a supportive and positive culture.

Influencing policymakers might not feel like part of a researcher’s role. But it should be, argue Martha Newson and Sadie Watson.

Researchers share their inspiration and tips for working with unusual plants and animals.

Before our change in focus, we were researchers of teaching and nanotechnology, say Yana Suchikova and Natalia Tsybuliak.

Chen Mo’s work in marine conservation will build a database to help safeguard little-studied whale species.

Gaëlle Andreatta, chief technology officer of Swiss start-up Apheros, lists the advantages of getting an MBA, the appeal of a corporate career and how she and the chief executive run the business.

If you aspire to a leadership role in your future, try testing yourself on a short-term project, such as running a game-development team, advises Natalia Szulc.