Q2: First projects are often related to post-doctoral research. How soon must I try to differentiate independent projects from previous work?

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Q2: First projects are often related to post-doctoral research. How soon must I try to differentiate independent projects from previous work?

Immediately. I headed for physical chemistry and spectroscopy because I'm good at math, but immersed myself in many other areas as well because I love novelty and the unpredictability of scientific synergies. I'm now starting to think about fields beyond directed evolution.

I went straight into independent work.

It’s a bad idea to be perceived as too close to your postdoc mentor when you start your independent career. Obviously you’ll use techniques and training that you received in the postdoc lab, but the problem that you elect to research should be demonstrably different.

In my opinion first projects of our own responsibility should not be related to previous post-doctoral work. I think that every five or six years we should start novel projects, although in some aspect they can be borne of the experience of previous projects.

I discontinued my postdoctoral subject matter, though not its methods.

A clear, distinct departure, even if within the same field, is necessary. It is key to avoid “me-too” science. Do all you can to ensure you build productively on skills and vision over the years. Expand wherever you can.

Distance yourself from your Ph.D. environment and supervisors during the postdoctoral period. Success in standing out will attract strong students, grants, and collaborators when you start your independent career.

You can change some aspects of your earlier research quite quickly, but it’s also ok to keep elements of established expertise as a part of your work.

In my opinion first projects should be as unrelated to post-doctoral work as possible. From any point of view it is not a good idea to continue post-doctoral projects. Furthermore, tackling a new field will make you more knowledgeable and widen your horizons.

I agree 100% with YY.

I don’t recommend continuing postdoctoral work in your own lab. It will be difficult to differentiate yourself and to establish your own area and contributions.

I think it is better to start a new topic, a new project.

Switch immediately. Recasting, even revisiting, post-doctoral projects is legitimate but careers make or break on one's own investigations.

Start your own work as soon as you know which question you want to answer.

I suggest initiating a new program from the start of your independent career.