Dangers Of Shift And Night Work

Here is an article outlining the dangers of shift/nigh work to human health.

Shift/night work disrupts normal circadian (internal timing) rhythms, affecting sleep and promoting disorders “including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular risks, obesity, mood disorders and age-related macular degeneration. “  Melatonin secretion may be involved.  The paper suggests “melatonin, bright light, or psychotropic drugs, have been proposed as a means to combat circadian clock disruption and improve adaptation to shift and night work.”

If you can at all avoid shift/night work do so; if you cannot because of work requirements then discuss with your physician strategies to adjust and hopefully reduce the risk of serious heath disorders consequent to disruption of normal life rhythms.

Can Work Make You Mentally Ill?

By Edvard Munch - WebMuseum at ibiblioPage: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/munch/Image URL: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/munch/munch.scream.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37610298

Can your job make you crazy? According to this paper, the answer is yes. The "take home message" from the abstract:

Within these broad categories, there was moderate level evidence from multiple prospective studies that high job demands, low job control, high effort-reward imbalance, low relational justice, low procedural justice, role stress, bullying and low social support in the workplace are associated with a greater risk of developing common mental health problems.
 

Those of us who can recognize aspects of our job from the paper's list of mental illness-inducing work problems need to be cognizant of the potential for problems. How to deal with it will differ from person to person, depending on their circumstances, but one good first step is recognizing that a problem may exist. Indeed, as this paper demonstrates, it is a real and serious issue.

When do you live?

Below are the requirements for the position of Assistant Professor in Biology in the University X (U.S.A.). This is one of the many similar job announcements for Ph.D.-level graduates. As I read these job descriptions, my heart cringes and my question is, when do Ph.D.s live? Remember that unlike other advanced degree-graduates, Ph.D.s start their careers late in life (in the U.S., at least after 5-6 years of academics) and at low, low salaries/fellowships.

Teach three courses (9 credits) each semester that fulfill the requirements for the Biology and Science degrees using traditional, hybrid and online delivery methods. Courses include but are not limited to at least one upper level course in plants or fungi, one upper level course in genetics, and introductory level courses in these areas.

Teaching assignments may require teaching day, evening and/or Saturday classes as needed.

Publish in refereed journals.

Participate in professional organizations and in course, curriculum, and program development. 

Advise students and provide career guidance.

Participate in campus, University, and community service activities. 
 
It seems like 24/7 job. I am yet to read a job description that states "the candidate should demonstrate a successful ability to balance life and work"?