SAFE Labs

Anonymous lab:

Graduate students should plan to submit half of their chapters to peer-reviewed journals prior to sign-off on their thesis. For PhD students, aim to submit one chapter to both your committee and a peer-reviewed publication within the first 3.5 years in the program, and a second within the first 5.

[the PI] and other lab members will support you in navigating the peer-review process, including journal selection, responses to reviewers, and payment of publication costs.

ErnstGroup_2026:

As a guideline of what is expected, masters students should publish 1-2 conference papers (or perhaps 1 conference, 2 workshops papers) during their two years in the group; phd students should aim for 3 conference (with at least one of these expanding to a journal) and perhaps some workshop papers earlier in their career); postdoc should be participating on several papers a year (and leading at least 1-2 papers).

MayorLab_2026:

Publication Expectation: Every graduate and postdoc in the lab is expected to publish their findings in peer-review articles. Generally, each lab member should be able to publish a first paper within 2-4 years, and a second paper within two more years. The expectation may change depending on field and impact of journals. The first draft of the manuscript should be completed by trainee(s). Although there is no strict rule, Master student are expected to publish one first author paper, while PhD student are expected to publish 2-3 main papers.

SFUGlaciologyGroup_2026:

I expect MSc students to lead-author at least one significant manuscript from their thesis work, though students have sometimes produced two or more. The primary manuscript should be submitted to a peer-reviewed scientific journal prior to the thesis defense. PhD students should lead-author at least three significant manuscripts from their thesis work. At least two should be accepted or published before the thesis defense, with a third submitted or close to submission. Submitting a paper is a big achievement worthy of celebration. Students will receive a $1000 bonus for each independent manuscript submitted to an international peer-reviewed scientific journal. I commit to paying page charges/article processing charges (APCs) (often $2500-$4000 per published paper) for our work done together at SFU, even if it is published after the lead author has moved on.

CNIDevoLab_2025:

Every position in the lab inevitably has its own set of experimental or funding challenges. Therefore, it is impossible to predict the outcome of any project, however we strive that the efforts of at least longer-term lab members are valorised in a scientific publication. Some specific information is listed below:

Our team is affiliated to the PhD school “Complexity of Life” of Sorbonne University. Independently of the source of funding (PhD school fellowship or another grant) a PhD lasts for 3 years, a 4th one can be exceptionally granted if additional funding is found. According to the PhD School rules, the thesis must contain original research results, which translates in the publication of at least one research article; in case of delays or particular circumstances the authorization to defend the thesis can be given if an article is in the final steps of preparation prior to submission. Projects are designed so that it should be possible to have at least a paper draft by the end of the three years.

The length of postdoctoral and non-permanent lab engineers or technicians contracts depends on both the source of funding, the proposed project and the national and CNRS rules for non-permanent contracts. Depending on the specifics of each position and project, we strive that the work of everybody is valorised in a scientific publication. With regard to postdocs, we aim to propose projects (in discussion with the researcher) which maximise the chance of a publication within the initial contract’s timeframe. A typical postdoc contract lasts between 2 to 3 years, according to the funding source. Specific limitations to duration, linked to CNRS policies, might apply, these will be discussed beforehand and case by case.

According to CNRS rules, master internships cannot last longer than 6 months. The main purpose of a thesis is for the student to learn laboratory skills techniques, to get insights into analysis of data and scientific thinking, as well as to practice scientific writing and figure making. Given the short time frame, it is rare that the work of a student will contribute to a scientific publication, however if relevant data is produced, the student will be granted authorship.

GalupaLab_2025:

Please find important information about publishing (including authorships, open science policies, choice of journals) in the Lab Guide: Galupa_lab_guide_shared. Regarding the duration and publication outputs expected:

PhD students: in France, PhDs typically last between 3 and 4 years. PhD fellowships are for 3 years, and there are specific fellowships to extend the PhD for one more year. This could also be ensured by the lab, depending on the funding situation. My aim is that each student finishes their PhD with at least one first authored manuscript submitted for publication (and published on bioRxiv). PhD projects are chosen with this in mind. After graduating, students (no longer students!) might be able to stay in the lab for a bit longer, but this will depend on the lab’s funding situation at the time. All this will be discussed ahead.

Postdocs: duration of the postdoc will very much depend on the funding available, either from the lab or via fellowships secured by the postdoc. Ideally, 3-4 years are needed for completion of a project in our research topic, including submitting a first authored manuscript for publication (and published on bioRxiv).

Importantly, it is impossible to predict the outcome of any project, so no guarantees can be made with respect to timelines or publications.

OttLab_2025:

Our team is composed by researchers with different roles: postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, undergraduate (Master or Bachelor) students and research assistants. These roles, which may correspond to different career stages and seniority, typically come with different duties, responsibilities and expectations. These will be discussed at hiring and onboarding. Typically, postdocs and graduate students are expected to independently carry out research projects ranging from experimental work to data analysis and paper writing, as well as take part at the lab’s and institute’s regular meetings (see below). Postdocs are additionally expected to assist the PI in writing grants and reviewing papers. Graduate students will receive a larger degree of training and supervision, for example, via the Humboldt Graduate School (see below). Undergraduates and research assistants are not expected to independently carry out projects and will be supervised by a graduate student or postdoc. All full-time lab members are expected in helping to maintain the lab’s infrastructure and animal colonies.

PHASELab_2026:

You should aim to finish your PhD within three years with three first-author experimental research papers (experiments) written up into complete manuscripts. There is nothing magical about the number three, this is just one major experiment per year of the project, and is widely considered internationally as the gold standard for research productivity for PhDs: if you complete with three experimental papers in reputable journals (see other material on the topic of journals and what is a “good” journal) this is usually considered to be a good to excellent PhD thesis. The more the better, if everything goes well, but plan for three!

ReinhardLab_2025:

Researchers in different roles will spend different amounts of time in the lab. Furthermore, technical challenges and other unknown or unforeseen aspects may delay projects. It is hence difficult to predict how many papers each team member will publish. As a rule of thumb, the following applies:

• PhD students: PhD candidates need to finish their PhD within 4 years. Projects are selected and adjusted so that it should be possible to have at least a paper draft by the end of these 4 years. While this is the minimum, the aim is to have a first-author manuscript on biorxiv and likely submitted by the end of the PhD. Due to the collaborative nature of our work, students can expect to be contributing author on at least a second paper.
• Postdocs: While postdoc contracts will usually be for 12 months, the PI clearly communicates funding availability and expected total duration of the postdoc (generally to be anticipated to be at least 3 years). The aim is to have at least one first-author paper in that time-frame and to likely contribute to multiple projects in the lab. Changes to funding or anticipated duration and publications will be communicated openly and timely. Conversely, postdocs may decide to move on to new positions and challenges before a publication has been achieved.
• Master students / interns: Master theses last for at least 9, ideally 12 months. The main purpose of a thesis is for the student to learn one or more practical techniques, to understand all steps of a scientific project, to get insights into analysis of data, and to practice scientific writing and figure making, as well as scientific communication. The actual content and output are less important. However, if a student contributes a relevant data set which is included in a publication, they will certainly be granted authorship as detailed in the CRediT Taxonomy guidelines.
• Technicians: Technicians’ contracts may be more variable and depend on needs and agreements. If technicians’ contributions fulfill the CRediT Taxonomy guidelines, they will be authors on papers.

INSIGHTLab_2026:

PhD student: Publishing approximately 1 paper per year, with the goal of 4 papers for a 4-year PhD project.

UraiLab_2026:

My publishing philosophy is that lab members generally have one main high-quality project. For postdocs, this will usually mean one main paper, with potential smaller co-authored papers or side projects. For a PhD thesis, it is common to include 3 empirical chapters (of which ideally one or two are submitted/accepted) by graduation.

PEARLab_2026:

1. Department Requirements

• Complete all coursework and meet official graduation criteria

2. Research Contribution

• Expected to participate in at least one publication (journal or conference)
• Must demonstrate substantial contribution

3. Thesis

• Pass the oral defense
• Complete all required revisions
• Subject to advisor approval

Anonymous lab:

We do not believe that the journal Impact Factor is a good measure of article quality (see Brembs et al., 2013) and prefer to target journals where our work is likely to be read by the most appropriate audience. We generally aim to produce weighty articles (e.g., including multiple studies or experiments) rather than the maximum number of publications possible. We encourage the use of preprint servers (e.g., bioRxiv, medRxiv).

We are conscious that publications are critical to career advancement but feel that quality is more important than quantity. However, as part of the wider support within [the lab], and given our focus on career development, we work with researchers at every level to ensure their CVs are progressing and are highly competitive. Academic staff and theme leads can advise more junior members of the group.

MoreyLab_2026:

The PhD thesis is a substantial body of work carried out over three years. A good series of PhD studies should produce at least one substantial journal article. Usually, a single “chapter” of the PhD includes the contents of one published or publishable paper. Such a chapter may contain a single experiment or a series of related experiments. A good PhD thesis in cognitive psychology typically contains at least three empirical chapters, plus an introduction chapter and a concluding chapter.

RadzisheuskayaLab_2025:

Every researcher position in the lab comes with its own set of experimental challenges and funding issues. As a result, it is impossible to predict the outcome of any project, and I cannot guarantee specific timelines or publication dates, as these also depend significantly on your contributions.

My goal for researchers in Postdoc, PhD, or HSO positions is to help each individual publish at least one first or co-first-authored paper within the span of their initial 3-4-year contracts. While advancing your own project is important, I also expect you to contribute to other projects in the lab, where you will be recognised as a co-author. It is unrealistic for one person to manage all aspects of a project or possess all the necessary expertise; therefore, supporting one another is essential for the success of everyone in the lab.

I and the first author(s) of the manuscript will discuss the journal to which the manuscript will be submitted.

CoenLab_2025:

Every PhD and postdoctoral researcher position in the lab inevitably has its own set of experimental challenges and funding complications. Therefore, it is impossible to predict the outcome of any project, and I cannot make guarantees with respect to timelines or publications. However, my ambition for each role is as follows:

PhD students in the UK typically graduate ~3-4 years after joining the lab, and it is my aim that each student has at least one first (or co-first) authored publication on bioRxiv at that time. I select PhD projects (in discussion with the student) with this aim in mind. Depending on the current funding status of the lab, it may be possible for students to remain in the lab for a period after their PhD, and this will be discussed at least one year in advance of graduation.

Postdoctoral researchers typically join the lab with an initial contract, and the length of that contract depends on both the source of funding and their proposed project. All positions in the university are also subject a twelve-month probationary period. I will be transparent about these restrictions in the initial job advertisement, and in discussions with any applicant. I aim to propose projects (in discussion with the researcher) to maximise the chance of a publication within the initial contract’s timeframe. At least one year before the end of the contract period, I will discuss the next steps with the researcher, which may include the option to stay longer in the lab (with or without applying for their own funding).

SuperLab_2026:

Every researcher position in the lab comes with its own set of experimental challenges and funding issues. As a result, it is impossible to predict the outcome of any project, and I cannot guarantee specific timelines or publication dates, as these also depend significantly on your contributions.

That said, my goal for PhD researchers for whom I am the primary supervisor is to help each individual submit three first or co-first-authored papers for publication, with one of those published within the span of the initial 3-4-year contract.

While advancing your own project is important, I also expect you to contribute to other projects in the lab, where you will be recognized as a co-author. It is unrealistic for one person to manage all aspects of a project or possess all the necessary expertise; therefore, supporting one another is essential for the success of everyone in the lab.

AeryJonesLab_2026:

I expect technicians to be our lab for 2 years, PhD students 4-5 years, and postdocs 4-6 years. Students and postdocs should at a minimum submit their first author paper and post it to bioRxiv before leaving the lab. If you can complete your publication in less than 4 years, you’re welcome to leave the lab then if you wish. All lab members will remain funded beyond these time ranges, provided they are still maintaining adequate progress. Establish your goals during the annual IDP meeting and keep track of your progress. I will provide feedback on your progress as needed. I expect you to keep on top of deadlines for your graduate program, conferences, fellowships, and trainings.

BerkeleyAgroecologyLab_2026:

For postdocs, I expect that during the first year you will have 0-2 first-authored publication from work in my lab – although those postdocs coming onto ongoing projects have the potential to be a co-author on that ongoing research where the lead author is the lab PI or other current or previous postdocs. If there is already data collected for your project, then I expect two publications to be submitted during the first year. I expect in the second year postdocs should have two first-authored publications from work in my lab, and if collaborative teams have been set up to be a co-author on other publications, even more. In the 3rd – 5th year, a postdoc should have an established lab inside the lab, and I would expect 2-3 first-authored publications per year.

CobeyLab_2026:

Publish at least two papers on which you’re first author. These papers should be submitted by the time you defend. Note, this is not the requirement of relevant UChicago doctoral programs, but I think it is an important minimal target.

DaviesLab_2026:

It is generally expected that students pursuing a doctoral degree will author three first-author journal papers (i.e. three dissertation chapters) and for postdocs, the general expectation is one publication a year stemming from your postdoc research. Importantly, this number is dependent on the scientist, the publication/review process, and overall career goals of the scientist.

DiffenbaughClimateLab_2026:

Given that the PhD signifies capability to independently conduct independent research, it is expected that students have completed the full paper publication process prior to graduation. (All students from this research group have had at least one chapter in print and at least one more submitted at the time of the dissertation defense, and more than half have had at least three chapters in print.)

GWLab_2026:

Requirements for graduation:

• First chapter submitted to a journal (ideally published)
• Second chapter ready to submit (ideally submitted)
• Third chapter written (does not have to be final form)

MaLab_2026:

Your thesis should have enough material for 2-3 papers. Those papers do not have to be published or even submitted, but often, at least one is. Usually, the thesis has 3 content chapters, preceded by an introduction chapter and followed by a discussion chapter. If you have the contents in near-final form, count 2-3 months of full-time work to finish the thesis.

MoreauLab_2026:

You should aim for the goal of publishing most of your thesis research during your time in my lab. This typically consists of three peer-reviewed papers and Ph.D. students in my lab typically begin publishing in about their third year.

MsEELab_2026:

Excerpts from the lab mentorship philosophy statement accompanying the lab handbook: The most important goal of all lab members is to develop as scientists (except for the PI and any long-term research scientist, see below). The ways in which this scientific and career development happens differ by role:

• PhD students: PhD students aim to gain enough expertise in a field to be able to teach themselves and others about new knowledge they contribute to it.
• Masters students: Masters students aim to gain enough expertise in a field to use its tools and knowledge with mastery.
• Undergraduate students: Undergraduate students aim to learn about a field enough to decide whether and how they’d like to pursue it.
• Postdoctoral researchers: Postdoctoral researchers aim to develop a body of work in the field to allow them to pursue their next career step, sometimes by learning new techniques or pivoting fields of research.
• Research technicians: Short-term technicians aim to learn about a field with the same goal as an undergraduate and perhaps begin developing work in the field to allow for a next career step.
• Research scientists: Long-term research scientists aim to carry out research projects and training of other lab members.
• Principal Investigator: The Principal Investigator (PI, Pablo) aims to help other lab members achieve their goals while advancing a coherent research vision (in MsEE Lab’s case, building the field of research of evolutionary engineering).

Scientific and career goals are should be examined and discussed in detail and often by all lab members. Using the above goals as templates, backwards design allows us to set milestones that help us achieve these goals and action items necessary to complete those milestones.

What does a PhD mean?: A PhD stands for “philosophiae doctor”, literally “teacher”. It signals that its bearer knows a field well enough to be able to teach about it. Teaching is a ubiquitous skill: every type of job involves training others in the skills required and/or explaining the job’s importance to others. Because of this, a PhD is valuable across any number of jobs beyond “just” teaching positions (though perhaps not necessary for most of them).

The way that a PhD guarantees someone is able to teach is by expecting PhDs to make a new contribution to a field of knowledge. Since you must be sure that the new knowledge is actually new, you must know the field of knowledge in depth. Since nobody can teach you knowledge that doesn’t yet exist, it means you taught it to yourself, so you must be able to teach (at least to yourself—most PhD programs can do a better job of teaching how to teach, though).

If you’ve decided you want to know a field of knowledge well enough to teach it and help expand it, then a PhD can be for you! A PhD is not the only way of achieving this, but it does offer a reliable opportunity to be able to do this with stability for a number of years. More thoughts on Substack: “What is a PhD?”

What does a PhD look like?:

The challenges and experiences of a PhD break down into three chapters, each characterized by positive and negative feelings that stem from the central struggles of each stage. They include:

1. The Jump (years ~1–2): excitement and anxiety when evaluating possible paths
2. The Slog (years ~3–4): freedom and disorientation in self-directed research
3. The Push (years ~5–6): mastery and overextension while concluding work and eyeing next steps

There are many strategies that we build in at each stage to maximize the positive feelings and minimize the negative ones. More details on Substack: “What does a PhD look like?”

Cornell PhD students in the Graduate Field (program) of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering typically graduate after completing five years in the PhD program, and although students at MsEE Lab may come from a variety of different Graduate Fields, we hold the same expectations for graduate students regardless of the Field they belong to. Students are advised to consult their Graduate Field Student Handbook (e.g. the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Handbook; Cornell login required) to make sure they fulfill any Field-specific requirements. Regardless of Field, it is our aim for each student to contribute to at least three projects during their time in the lab (explained in more detail here), with the expectation that one of them leads to a first (or co-first) authored publication. PhD projects are selected in discussion with the student with this aim in mind. We aim to at least have this publication published as a preprint by the time the student leaves the lab.

RaredonLab_2026:

A graduate student who has done well leaves with at least two first-author publications: one a review or methods paper written in the early years, and one an original research paper. The ideal is one paper per aim, meaning three research papers alongside the initial review or methods article.

RichardsonLab_2026:

A PhD dissertation is expected to be 3 first author published papers. A postdoc should aim to be publishing at least one first author paper a year, but this can be variable depending on the nature of the project(s). If you plan to seek a highly-competitive academic position at an R1 school, you will need to be both highly productive and publishing in the top journals, and so you should think of these guidelines as an absolute minimum (I can help you set appropriate goals and targets). Students who average more than 1 paper a year, and postdocs who average more than 2 papers a year, are doing well—especially if these are in good journals1.

RossIbarraLab_2026:

Write and submit manuscripts. I strongly encourage collaboration, and a quick glance at our publications should show that this generally works well. On average I expect your time as a postdoc in the lab to generate ~2 papers per year (first or co-authored), and in general this expectation seems to be not unreasonable.

SalzmanLab_2026:

I would like Ph.D. students to have submitted at least 1 first-author peer-reviewed paper for publication before I sign off on their dissertations. Two would be even better. These publications must be from research done while in our lab pursuing a PhD, not prior work.

Schloss_2026:

I will do my best to direct you along a project that is capable of generating 3 papers that belong together in a thesis (graduate students), 1 paper a year (postdocs), and liberally offer authorship to research staff.

Thrash_2026:

Produce at least 3 first-author publications during your Ph.D. (excluding Genome Announcements).

WarnickGroup_2026:

Doctoral students recognize that developing scholarly products is their preeminent goal. They enthusiastically seek opportunities to present their work at professional conferences and publish their research findings in peer-reviewed venues; publishing one article per year is a minimum goal. Given that the average duration of doctoral programs completed by students in the department is about four years, a doctoral student should have at least four peer-reviewed publications, on average, at the time of program completion.

WebbGroup_2026:

My expectation, however, is that, your original scientific research will be conveyed through multiple (3+) first-author publications and will also be disseminated broadly in other venues (e.g., conference posters/talks). I encourage students to put together manuscripts over the course of the Ph.D rather than submitting a whole host of papers all towards the end; this also seems better for student development. The thesis itself should be straightforward to write if you follow this approach. The document will essentially consist of a grand, cohesive introduction; a presentation of requisite theory/methods; a series of chapters, each likely to reflect the content of a published or submitted manuscript; and a concluding chapter with future directions.

WeisenseeLab_2026:

While  it  is  difficult  to  pin‐point  an  exact  number  of  scientific  publications,  a  general  rule  of  thumb  is:  postdocs:  1‐2  papers  per  year,  PhD  students: 3‐4 first‐author publications (minimum 2 published and 1‐2 submitted) prior to graduation, MS  students: significant contribution to 1 paper, undergrads: it’s great if you can get a paper out of your  research, but it is not expected nor required.

ZhangLab_2026:

It usually takes one or two years to publish your first first-authored paper and send your second first/co-first authored paper for review on the second or third year.

• Once you submit your first first-authored paper, please seek out opportunities to present your work to the national and/or international community to communicate with more folks in simiar fields.
• We highly encourage postdoc fellows to write grant proposals and apply for external fundings, like K grants, PhRMA grants, CCTSI and local pilot grants.
• As a postdoc fellow, demonstrating your independence, leadership, and mentoring capability is important to move on to your next career stage in either academia or industry. I will introduce you to other collaboration projects if you have the bandwith (if you can make good progress on your independent projects) in order to enhance your expertise of leading a multi-site project if available.
• We recommend you considering looking for jobs when your second paper is sent for review.