A Postdoc's Journal

Simit Patel
  • 0.0 (0)
  • LIFE SCIENCES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A Postdoc’s Journal is a personal and reflective podcast offering a candid look at the emotional journey I went through navigating life as a postdoctoral research scientist. Hosted by me (Simit Patel, PhD - www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab), a former academic who spent years journalling through the highs and lows of my postdoc. Each episode delves into real journal entries from that time in my life, followed by reflections on mental health, academia, and life beyond the lab. Whether you’re a current postdoc, an aspiring academic, or someone recovering from the rigors of academic life, this podcast offers relatable stories, emotional support, and insights from someone who has been there. Join me for honest conversations about impostor syndrome, burnout, and the challenges that come with academic research, all aimed at reminding you that you are not alone in this journey.

  1. 3D AGO

    ACCEPTANCE

    SEASON 2, EPISODE 3: ACCEPTANCE This episode is about accepting the negative beliefs you have about yourself. By revisiting this journal entry, I realised that I still experience the same negative thoughts today that I wrote about in the journal entry over 10 years ago, even though I am not in academia anymore. I came to the conclusion that academia was only part of the problem—the other part being fundamental beliefs deeper inside me. I revisit a journal entry I wrote in April 2014. I was well into the 3rd year of my post doc at this point. I was in Amsterdam airport, on my way back to the UK for a conference. I reflect on how much I used to love going to conferences as a PhD student; the value of conferences and community; dealing with negative beliefs like “I’m not good enough” through acceptance, avoidance, and/or overcompensation; having the same negative thoughts today, even though I left academia (maybe academia was never the problem???); developing my own philosophy about work; recording the good times; and rising tensions with my boss. Timestamps: [00:00] Intro [02:55] Journal entry [07:44] First conference I attended as a postdoc [08:33] Getting further away from a sense of community [09:29] Acceptance, avoidance, and overcompensation [12:17] Reframing the narrative for “healthy” acceptance [12:59] I still have the same negative self-beliefs about myself today [14:32] Developing my own philosophy on what was important to me [15:44] It’s good to take the time to record the positive moments [16:10] Things were getting tense with my boss [16:38] Outro For more information about the podcast, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ Please leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me/connect with me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/APostdocsJournal/ Need help with your scientific English? Visit https://simitpatel.com/ and fill out a contact form.

    20 min

  2. MAY 18

    COLLABORATION

    SEASON 2, EPISODE 2: COLLABORATION This episode is about how uncomfortable I used to feel about collaboration during my postdoc and how I started to lose the joy in things I used to love. I was lonely, but all I wanted was to be alone. With hindsight, I now know that these were the early signs of me falling into depression. I revisit a journal entry I wrote in March 2014. This was the first journal entry into my 3rd year of my postdoc. I was still struggling to make progress on papers and I needed help. I reflect on collaboration in academia, perfectionism, receiving help, not knowing what the rules were around conferences as a postdoc, and the early signs of depression (losing passion for things I normally loved doing) and social anxiety (being lonely, but always wanting to be alone). Timestamps: [00:00] Intro [02:43] Journal entry [06:21] Collaboration in academia [07:54] Being ashamed about receiving help [08:50] Underestimating your own contribution [09:05] Navigating conferences [11:22] Losing passion for things I normally love to do [12:58] Being lonely, but just wanting to be alone [13:33] Outro For more information about the podcast, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ Please leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me/connect with me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/APostdocsJournal/ Need help with your scientific English? Visit https://simitpatel.com/ and fill out a contact form.

    17 min

  3. MAY 11

    TAKING A BREAK MIGHT NOT BE THE ANSWER

    SEASON 2, EPISODE 1: TAKING BREAK MIGHT NOT BE THE ANSWER This episode is about returning to a stressful situation after taking a break. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to fall back into the thought patterns and behaviours from before you left. A holiday is not always the answer. I revisit a journal entry I wrote in January 2014. This was the first journal entry of the year, just at the end of my initial 2 year postdoc contract. Within a week of returning to Germany after a Christmas break in the UK, I received an email that made me feel like a total failure. I reflect on the academic value system (again!), how we outsource our opinion of ourselves to others, defining your own success, the need men have to be of value, the need to be good at everything in academia, how to take advice, and how weakness can be strengths in a different context. Timestamps: [00:00] Intro [02:51] Journal entry [05:41] Returning to an unhappy situation after a break [07:16] A reminder about the academic value system [09:26] Outsourcing our opinions of ourselves to other people [10:30] Defining your own success [11:14] Masculinity and the need to be valuable [12:16] Impostor syndrome is still there [13:15] The need to be good at everything [15:10] How to take advice [16:37] Weaknesses are just strengths in a different context [18:19] Outro For more information about the podcast, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ Please leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me/connect with me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/APostdocsJournal/ Need help with your scientific English? Visit https://simitpatel.com/ and fill out a contact form.

    21 min

  4. 04/25/2025 ·  BONUS

    BONUS: 1000 DOWNLOADS + ANNOUCEMENTS

    BONUS: 1000 DOWNLOADS + ANNOUCEMENTS A Massive thank you to everyone who has helped me get to the significant milestone of 1000 downloads. For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ Please leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me and connect with me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social Reddit (NEW): https://www.reddit.com/r/APostdocsJournal/ Now available on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/@apostdocsjournal-g2o

    4 min

  5. 03/09/2025

    LACK OF MENTORSHIP

    EPISODE 12: LACK OF MENTORSHIP This is the LAST EPISODE of season 1!! In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from December 2013--just after Christmas. I was at Heathrow airport waiting for my flight back to Germany, and I had some interesting revelations linking my childhood experiences to my problems as a postdoc. I discuss the value of having a change of scenery to help you think clearer and I delve into the impact a lack of mentorship can have on you as a young child...and as an adult. 00:00 Introduction to the Postdocs Journal 03:33 Journal Entry 08:12 A change of environment can help you gain a different perspective 10:38 I was still feeling imposter syndrome 11:15 Microtraumas from childhood 13:33 A lack of mentorship at school and in academia 15:29 Goal making skills 15:54 Knowing what you don't want to do is still progress 17:23 Outro For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ Please leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me / connect with me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social

    21 min

  6. 03/02/2025

    HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT

    EPISODE 11: HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from December 2013-just before Christmas. This is a slightly different journal entry where I was collating lists of things I like and don't like about work from ANOTHER mini-journal I was keeping. This was a great tool I used to help me figure out how I like to work. If you want to try it yourself, I share some advice on how to use it effectively. 00:00 Introduction to the Postdocs Journal 03:26 Journal Entry 08:26 Hearing that back feel great! 09:14 Using this as a tool to figure out what you want 10:30 How to use this tool effectively 13:34 Outro For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ Please leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social Next up: Season 1 FINALE!

    17 min

  7. 02/23/2025

    LIFE LESSONS

    EPISODE 10: LIFE LESSONS In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from December 2013. This is the fist time I started asking the pivotal question that changed my life: "Should the way I work to suit the job? Or change the job to suit the way I like to work?" I discuss how this question has guided my career choices until this day and I share some ideas about how to be kind to yourself. 00:00 Introduction to the Postdocs Journal 02:40 Journal Entry 06:27 Mixed feeling about this entry 07:41 The most important life lesson I've learned 13:20 I thought there was something wrong with the way I was working 14:42 Being told that I wasn't performing well enough 17:00 How to be kind to yourself 19:38 Adult loneliness 21:43 Outro For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser Follow me on... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social For copy editing and proofreading services, see here: https://simitpatel.com/

    25 min

  8. 02/14/2025

    FIXED-TERM CONTRACT

    EPISODE 9: FIXED-TERM CONTRACT In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from July 2013, reflecting on my contract renewal struggles and the lack of job security in academia. I discuss the challenges faced with funding gaps, self-doubt, and networking. I also explore the impact of limited networking and self-perceived inadequacies. Ultimately, this episode highlights the broader issues in academic culture with limited funding, fixed-term contracts, and internal politics. 00:00 Introduction to the Postdocs Journal 03:17 Journal Entry: Meeting with the Boss 05:50 Reflections on Job Security and Visibility 07:01 The Broader Issues in Academia 13:27 Personal Struggles and Mindset 18:15 Cultural and Systemic Barriers 20:04 Concluding Thoughts and Future Lessons 23:14 Outro For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser Follow me on Instagram and/or LinkedIn and/or BlueSky For copy editing and proofreading services, see here: https://simitpatel.com/

    26 min
See All (18)

Trailer

About

A Postdoc’s Journal is a personal and reflective podcast offering a candid look at the emotional journey I went through navigating life as a postdoctoral research scientist. Hosted by me (Simit Patel, PhD - www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab), a former academic who spent years journalling through the highs and lows of my postdoc. Each episode delves into real journal entries from that time in my life, followed by reflections on mental health, academia, and life beyond the lab. Whether you’re a current postdoc, an aspiring academic, or someone recovering from the rigors of academic life, this podcast offers relatable stories, emotional support, and insights from someone who has been there. Join me for honest conversations about impostor syndrome, burnout, and the challenges that come with academic research, all aimed at reminding you that you are not alone in this journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Simit Patel
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Simit Patel
  • Show Website
    A Postdoc's Journal