A Postdoctoral Training Program in Bioimage Analysis

Abstract

We herein describe a postdoctoral training program designed to train biologists with microscopy experience in bioimage analysis. We detail the rationale behind the program, the various components of the training program, and outcomes in terms of works produced and the career effects on past participants. We analyze the results of an anonymous survey distributed to past and present participants, indicating overall high value of all 12 rated aspects of the program, but significant heterogeneity in which aspects were most important to each participant. Finally, we propose this model as a template for other programs which may want to train experts in professional skill sets, and discuss the important considerations when running such a program. We believe that such programs can have extremely positive impact for both the trainees themselves and the broader scientific community.

Figure 1:. Relative scores (left) and rankings (right) of the value of 12 aspects of the training program to the participant’s training experience.

Aspects include: having an official training curriculum, running workshops, working with the image.sc forum, working on individual analysis projects, writing code, working on data-science-heavy-projects, writing papers, training with/from permanent staff members (image analyst/software engineers), training with/from other postdoc program members, interaction with collaborators, explicit and/or implicit training on project management skills, and explicit and/or implicit training on communication skills. Scores were on a scale of 1–7; rankings were performed 1st-12th with no possibility of ties. Top: Score results are shown broken down by past vs current members. Bottom: Results are shown hierarchically clustered. Columns are colored by whether the answers come from a current member; rows are colored by thematic axes derived from the clustering of the rankings.

Figure 2:

Selected responses to other survey questions. Top left: respondent feelings on the ideal program length (multiple answers could be chosen by each respondent). Top right: wordcloud of other factors. Bottom: all responses to the question: “What were your career goals before you started the program and how (if at all) did they change during or since the program?”