Introduction and Preface

Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers may be enthusiastic at the prospect of pursuing an academic career. Yet, little is really known about what it means to be a university professor until one is actually in the role. This book aims to provide insights into the job of an assistant professor at a top research university. This introduction presents the motivations behind this book and how it came about, outlines the specific topics covered in each chapter, and explains why these topics were chosen. This book’s unique focus on STEM and lab management is also highlighted, along with potential biases and limitations that the reader should be aware of.