Three portraits - David MacMillan, Jennifer Doudna and Omar Yaghi

Three chemistry Nobel laureates shared their failures – and how they overcame them

2026-04-17T08:30:00+01:00By

Laureates talk about how they faced frustration and self-doubt over whether they were cut out for chemistry before they finally triumphed

The technically hip fall

Meet the researchers who are making bonds outside of the lab

There are many benefits to participating in extracurricular activities with colleagues

A female researcher in a lab coat walk through an agricultural research facility where red plants are grow in towering hydroponic sytems

The scientific career clock in China

Age limits on funding and recruitment programmes place unhelpful pressures on early-career researchers

A firefighter sprays foam from a hose over a blaze on some chemical containers

Innovative SMEs and start-ups can be the Change Makers we need to tackle PFAS

The Royal Society of Chemistry is offering support to early-stage ventures that aim to solve problems associated with forever chemicals

How my master’s reshaped my view on higher education chemistry

After three relentless undergraduate years, the fourth year provided space to immerse myself in the subject

Women and early-career researchers bore the burden of NIH’s funding disruptions

Almost 58% of the studies the US National Institutes of Health suddenly cancelled last year were female-led

Two states of water & science sleuths

In this episode, we discuss the two-state model of water, how science sleuths are fighting disinformation, and hear the latest headlines.

Highlights

The technically hip fall

Meet the researchers who are making bonds outside of the lab

There are many benefits to participating in extracurricular activities with colleagues

Juggle

Is work polygamy a new trend or the daily norm for researchers?

While many academics balance more than one role, some take on entirely separate jobs that allow them to explore different careers

Group photo

Choosing the perfect path to an industrial R&D career

Options abound whether or not you have a PhD

Lars

Starting a chemistry PhD as a mature student

The benefits and challenges of returning to academia after a period away

Understanding science comics

Comic book chemistry

The scientists using visual storytelling to communicate their work – and how you can do it too

Elisabeth Bik

How to be a science sleuth

Research integrity experts share their tips for spotting and reporting fraudulent papers

Scientists in the lab

How to get into – and ace – a summer undergraduate research programme

Five tips to help you make the most of these opportunities

Crystal

How to grow an enormous single crystal

Top tips from David Boyce and his class, who have cultivated a 3kg single copper sulfate crystal

Meeting

How to make academic service activities count

Five tips for tackling commitments effectively

Conference registration desk

How to organise a conference

Five tips for successful event planning

Speaker

How to excel at public speaking

A five-step approach to present effectively

Thuc-Quyen Nguyen

How Thuc-Quyen Nguyen’s dreams of capturing the sun led her to organic electronics

Organic solar cell windows will enable the buildings of the future to be energy-neutral, she says

Veronica Vaida

Veronica Vaida: ‘Some Harvard faculty expressed puzzlement at having a woman colleague’

The renowned physical chemist and environmental scientist on growing up in Romania and forging her career as a woman in the US in the 1970s

Frank Leibfarth

Embodying polymer chemistry with a purpose by upcycling plastics and trapping PFAS

For Frank Leibfarth, focussing on reactivity and selectivity helps him bridge the gap between fundamental and applied research

Three portraits - David MacMillan, Jennifer Doudna and Omar Yaghi

Three chemistry Nobel laureates shared their failures – and how they overcame them

Laureates talk about how they faced frustration and self-doubt over whether they were cut out for chemistry before they finally triumphed

A red pencil with a tick box

US researchers are advising students not to enter academia

A survey of NIH-grantees in Massachusetts reveals delayed hiring in labs, layoffs, careers being pursued abroad and research scope reductions

A yellow paper plane flies away from a formation of white ones

Establishing your independent research career

Writing grant proposals is an important skills to develop – and there is plenty of support you can seek

Person climbing on top of post-it notes

How to use an individual development plan to advance your career

Four steps to assess your current position and set your goals

Woman checking wallet and finding no money

Cultural changes need to stop PhD students working for free

Top-down support is needed to stop exploitative PhD practices