How to lead research groups: What scientists need to know
Learn what it takes to lead research groups in academia and why doing so requires more than technical expertise
In this conversation with biologist Ricardo Weinlich, a researcher at Einstein Hospital Israelita, Science Arena examines what scientists need to learn to lead research groups in academia and why this transition requires more than technical expertise.
Weinlich discusses the challenges faced by early-career researchers—particularly the transition from postdoctoral researcher to team leader—and explores the importance of developing skills in people management, project coordination, and resource administration, areas not always covered during scientific training.
Throughout the live session, he shares practical insights and personal reflections from his own career, emphasizing that scientific leadership involves the ability to mediate conflicts, define long-term strategies, and adopt a more professional approach to managing both research and career development.
This video is essential for anyone seeking to understand how to prepare for leading a research group and navigating the organizational challenges of science in the 21st century.
Virtual discussions on scientific careers
Held throughout the second half of 2025, the Science Arena Encontros series comprises five episodes exploring key aspects of scientific careers.
The series is intended for undergraduate students, faculty members, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and leaders working in public and private research organizations.
The project is produced by Science Arena (sciencearena.org), a nonprofit science journalism initiative for researchers launched in 2024 by Einstein Hospital Israelita.
- [Episode 1] How artificial intelligence is impacting scientific careers
- [Episode 3] Scientific training as a professional advantage: Skills and career transition
- [Episode 4] Interdisciplinary collaboration in science: How to build bridges across disciplines
- [Episode 5] Mental health in science: Strategies for students and researchers
[Please note: This video was originally produced in Portuguese. To watch it with English subtitles, enable YouTube’s automatically translated captions in the video settings.]
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