Table 1 Skills often needed to successfully transition into tenured faculty positions

Writing

Crafting scientific papers, grants, and patent applications, preparing a tenure portfolio

Specialized Technical/

Scientific knowledge base

Performing microscopy or bioinformatic analysis

Interviewing

Presenting oneself as a candidate for a position, in-person or remote seminars, chalk talks, and interviews

Negotiating

Negotiating a job offer, reaching compromises with vendors and collaborators

Setting up, administering, and maintaining a research laboratory

Drafting a budget, selecting and maintaining laboratory equipment, managing shared equipment, hiring and onboarding of trainees/staff, scientific training and supervision of a lab and its members, establishment of standard operating procedures and protocols including processes for data storage and curation of relevant materials

Mentoring

Mentor trainees achieve their full potential and goals in an inclusive and nurturing environment, learn to seek help and cultivate mentors from whom to receive advice (be a mentee)

Managing Conflict

Navigating the conflicts that arise in day to day interactions while working with a team of trainees and/or collaborators

Managing Time

Prioritizing tasks according to urgency and potential for positive impact

Managing collaborations

Establishing and nurturing collaborations to maximize chances for success

Teaching

Learning to establish effective learning communities within undergraduate and graduate courses

Professional Branding: Cultivating a reputation or niche

Selecting important scientific questions to address, disseminating your work to colleagues and impacting the larger field of research

Developing/sustaining a strong network of mentors (including near-peer and peer-mentors)

Strategically recruiting colleagues to serve as sounding boards throughout your career trajectory