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Ten Simple Rules for Making a Career Transition from Basic Science to Public Health Research

Author

Listed:
  • David Berrigan

    (Health Behaviors Research Branch, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20853, USA)

  • David M. Hartley

    (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
    Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA)

Abstract

It is not uncommon for basic scientists to switch into public health research. Such career transitions present a variety of challenges and opportunities and can reinvigorate a career, lead to new skills, and provide the chance to contribute to individual and community health and social justice. Based on our respective experiences switching from applied physics to infectious disease modelling and from evolutionary physiology to cancer prevention and control, we propose ten simple rules intended to help researchers from other disciplines think about a transition to public health research. Together, these rules are largely about navigating between pairs of extremes related to why you want to move in a new direction, how to balance old and new expertise, and balancing humility with the confidence that you are bringing something important to the table. A career transition can also fulfill some of the basic motivators for a research career, including curiosity and a passion to try to solve important problems. Our career transitions proved deeply satisfying. We hope yours will as well.

Suggested Citation

  • David Berrigan & David M. Hartley, 2025. "Ten Simple Rules for Making a Career Transition from Basic Science to Public Health Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-6, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:2:p:223-:d:1584225
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andy Tay, 2023. "How to switch research fields successfully," Nature, Nature, vol. 623(7985), pages 211-213, November.
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