These days interdisciplinary research is getting more popular to search and re-search many new thing in different fields of science and engineering. I am working as PhD scholar and doing research in interdisciplinary areas of Biotechnology+ Microbiology+ Environmental Science+ Civil Engineering. But, when seeking a Job/higher research this interdisciplinary research comes in the way as hurdle. When I visit Biotechnology/microbiology field they said that you are not biotechnologist/ microbiologist, go to civil engg; and when approached to civil engg, they told me to go to biotech/microbiology area.
Is there no value of publishing research papers of interdisciplinary research for getting Job/higher research? Sticking to one research field is compulsory for job?
Basic qualification is one of the criteria for getting job but not mandatory. For research one have to be good publications... if an Interdisciplinary research scholar don't know all the techniques that does not mean that he/she could not do anything. Researcher in his/her lifetime always learn something at every point.
Also, Please advice for applying higher studies (Post Doc position) what should one have to do. Is the basic qualification matters above the publications? Is the knowledge of working on instruments more important than getting Idea for research?
If some where I am wrong in my saying, Please correct me and advice/nurture me with your valuable answers. Thanks.
Research is connected to each other, some times its difficult to separate a field research from other, when we are talking about microbiology, then biotechnology or environmental biology or other research field will be included. From my point of view it would be much better to concentrate the research on one field, but other factors might affect what is available for you to work with. Many times you have to work in different fields depending on the projects available for you to work with. When you work in a research institution depend soulaly on funded projects, then you are limited with you options and you find yourself working in Interdisciplinary Areas.
Research is connected to each other, some times its difficult to separate a field research from other, when we are talking about microbiology, then biotechnology or environmental biology or other research field will be included. From my point of view it would be much better to concentrate the research on one field, but other factors might affect what is available for you to work with. Many times you have to work in different fields depending on the projects available for you to work with. When you work in a research institution depend soulaly on funded projects, then you are limited with you options and you find yourself working in Interdisciplinary Areas.
Simply, I think Research in Interdisciplinary Areas is good and very important. I think this will be the future of research. For example, all Omics related fields are growing very rapidly and includes many basic sciences
Research means connecting the dots (ok, after finding them), and sometimes they are spread across disciplines. If you follow the dots across the borders, your degree of specialisation will decrease. I think especially in the applied fields you will not succeed if you are not flexible enough to obtain a broader view and willing to continue learning. I also think working only one field could get boring, but that is a matter of personal choice.
The downside is that often employers want to have specialists for one field only, and by having a broader basis you actually seem to become a specialist of some sort: you do not excel any more in one field and only few people need your additional qualification. So the challenge is to dig deep enough to compete for positions while having the advantage of an additional qualification on the side.
So you are propably right: even though interdisciplinary work is somehow everyday work already, it does not necessarily help you if your combination of qualifications is not what a potential employer is looking for.
Unfortunately, many institutions consider a multidisciplinary degree as a disadvantage, disregarding all the work a certain individual had to put to combine knowledge in multiple disciplines. Some departments require that the applicant hold all degrees in one direction to be considered for hiring. Others do appreciate the idea that multidisciplinary is a great potential for evolving and emerging new sciences. I believe that the trouble lies at the entry level, once you are accepted into a certain system; you will have all you need to excel.
This is very common now-a-days due to opening of various multidisciplinary subjects by the Universities and Institutions. To me, multidisciplinary research is our future. Remember that all subjects of sciences have been developed from the Environmental Science which directly links with the nature and in future, only this type of research would be needed to cope with the adverse situation coming in future. Never get disheartening, initially, this types appear in although not all but to someone like you. Every thing would be solved , obviously, a chance may reach to you at any time and at any moment. Well wishes.
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