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.
SEASON 2, EPISODE 10: CV WRITING.
This episode is about trying to write a CV. This is the LAST EPISODE of Season 2!!
I revisit a journal entry I wrote in September 2014. I had gotten some feedback on my CV from a colleague and I started to think more deeply about what I wanted. The biggest blocker was me not knowing what I wanted. Plus, I was completely ignorant about life outside of academia.
I reflect on what I got wrong about CV writing back then, my naivety regarding how job hunting works, why I was still considering staying in academia, my misconceptions about how leaving academia would be a waste of my talents and about life outside of academia in general, academic snobbery, and what it means to let a skill set go.
Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro
[03:48] Journal entry
[09:42] I was writing a CV to find a job, instead of the other way around
[10:36] AI and CV writing today
[10:56] The problem was I didn’t know what I wanted
[11:45] Naivety about how job hunting works
[13:39] I should leave academia, but I kept thinking about staying
[15:00] Leaving academia would be a waste of my talents…wrong!
[15:53] Academic snobbery & arrogance
[17:49] Hard and soft technical skills inside academia vs outside academia
[19:03] Academic snobbery is totally misguided
[20:17] Doing science outside of academia made me a better scientist
[21:24] Letting go of skill sets
[22:48] I was selfish when I was younger
[23:06] I used to believe that leaving academic research meant leaving science
[24:17] Outro
For more information about the podcast, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ (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/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/ (https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/)
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social)
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/APostdocsJournal/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/APostdocsJournal/)
Need help with your scientific English? Visit https://simitpatel.com/ (https://simitpatel.com/) and fill out a contact form.
20 Jul 2026
ANGER MANAGEMENT
SEASON 2, EPISODE 9: ANGER MANAGEMENT
This episode maps out a cycle of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours I was stuck in. I would start by feeling very anxious and end in explosive anger and self-harm.
I revisit a journal entry I wrote in September 2014. I had just over 3 months left on my contract and my stress and anxiety was at an all time high.
I reflect on describing emotions as physical sensations in your body, how unhelpful my boss was at this point, lingering guilt I still feel today about letting my boss down, and my personal struggles with anger management.
Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro
[02:52] Journal entry
[05:24] Describing emotions as physical sensations
[09:03] My gut feeling about staying in Frankfurt was right!
[10:19] My boss’s advice to “do everything in parallel” was completely unhelpful for me
[11:48] I still feel guilty today for not delivering for my boss
[13:42] My struggles with anger management
[17:24] Outro
For more information about the podcast, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ (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/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/ (https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/)
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social)
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/APostdocsJournal/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/APostdocsJournal/)
Need help with your scientific English? Visit https://simitpatel.com/ (https://simitpatel.com/) and fill out a contact form.
29 Jun 2026
AM I DELUSIONAL ABOUT STAYING IN ACADEMIA?
SEASON 2, EPISODE 8: AM I DELUSIONAL ABOUT STAYING IN ACADEMIA?
This episode is about me trying to navigate the end of my postdoc.
I revisit a journal entry I wrote in September 2014, when I had 4 months left on my extension to my contract. Believe it or not, I was still trying to salvage my academic career, despite it basically being impossible at this stage.
I reflect on how the delay between applying for a grant and getting the grant awarded made it impossible for me to salvage my academic career and what actually happens to your research when you leave academia.
Timestamps:
[00:00] Intro
[03:23] Journal entry
[08:07] Trying to salvage my academic career against impossible timescales
[10:50] The postdoc was really a period of training, although I didn’t realize it at the time
[11:52] What happens to your research when you leave academia?
[14:09] Outro
For more information about the podcast, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/ (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/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/ (https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/)
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social)
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/APostdocsJournal/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/APostdocsJournal/)
Need help with your scientific English? Visit https://simitpatel.com/ (https://simitpatel.com/) and fill out a contact form.
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Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100
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