How Researchers Use ScholarMap
Real-world examples of how ScholarMap helps biomedical researchers discover opportunities, find collaborators, and make informed career decisions
Jump to Use Case
Use Case 1
Find Postdoc Positions in Your Field
!The Problem
"I'm a PhD student in CRISPR research. I want to find postdoc opportunities in cities with strong gene editing labs, but I don't know where to start. University rankings don't tell me which specific cities or institutions are actively publishing in my field."
✓The Solution
ScholarMap shows you exactly where CRISPR research is happening globally, broken down by country, city, and institution—all based on actual PubMed publication data.
Interactive Map Visualization
Select CRISPR → View global distribution → Click Boston → See 12 institutions → Browse 75 researchers
Step-by-Step Guide
Go to the CRISPR Gene Editing field page
Start by selecting your research field from the available options.
View the global distribution map
See which countries and cities have the highest concentration of CRISPR researchers.
Click on your target city (e.g., Boston)
Dive deeper into a specific city to see all institutions with active CRISPR research.
Browse institutions and researcher counts
View the list of institutions ranked by research activity, with exact researcher counts.
Use this information for your applications
Now you have a data-driven list of target institutions to research further and apply to.
Try It Yourself
Explore CRISPR research opportunities in Boston, one of the world's leading gene editing hubs with 75+ active researchers across major institutions.
Explore CRISPR Research in Boston →What You'll Get
See exactly how many researchers are publishing in your field at each institution.
Institutions ranked by research activity, not general reputation.
A curated list of target institutions for further research and applications.
Use Case 2
Identify Research Collaboration Opportunities
!The Problem
"I'm at MIT studying cancer immunotherapy. I want to find nearby labs working on similar topics for potential collaborations, but I don't have a systematic way to identify which institutions in my area have active immunotherapy research programs."
✓The Solution
View all institutions in your city or region working on your research topic, ranked by research density. Perfect for identifying collaboration partners and attending local seminars.
City-Level Research Landscape
Select Immunotherapy → Choose Boston → See all nearby institutions → Compare research density
Step-by-Step Guide
Select your research field
Choose the field you want to find collaborators in (e.g., Cancer Immunotherapy).
Choose your city or nearby cities
View research activity in your local area or cities you frequently visit.
View institutions by research density
See which nearby institutions have the most active research programs in your field.
Identify potential collaboration partners
Make a list of institutions to reach out to for seminars, joint projects, or shared resources.
Reach out and build connections
Use this information to attend local seminars, propose collaborations, or join multi-institutional projects.
Try It Yourself
Discover cancer immunotherapy research institutions in Boston and identify potential collaboration partners in your area.
Find Immunotherapy Collaborators →What You'll Get
Complete view of research activity in your city or region.
Compare research output across nearby institutions.
Identify potential partners for joint projects and resources.
Use Case 3
Compare Cities for Your Research Area
!The Problem
"I'm deciding between Boston, San Francisco, and New York for my postdoc. Which city has the strongest brain-computer interface (BCI) research community? I need data, not just reputation."
✓The Solution
Compare multiple cities side-by-side using objective metrics: researcher counts, institution density, and top labs. Make data-driven location decisions.
Example: BCI Research Comparison
| City | Researchers | Institutions | Top Labs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 45 | 8 | MIT, Harvard, Boston Univ |
| San Francisco | 32 | 6 | Stanford, UCSF, Berkeley |
| New York | 28 | 7 | Columbia, NYU, Cornell |
Data based on recent PubMed publications
Step-by-Step Guide
Go to your field overview page
Start with the global view of your research field (e.g., Brain-Computer Interface).
Check the top cities ranking
See which cities globally have the highest concentration of researchers in your field.
Click each city for detailed view
Dive into each city on your shortlist to see institution breakdowns and researcher counts.
Compare institutions and density
Look at not just total numbers, but also how research is distributed across institutions.
Consider cost of living and fit
Balance research strength with other factors like living costs, visa requirements, and quality of life.
Try It Yourself
Start by exploring the global distribution of BCI research, then compare specific cities to find the best fit for your career goals.
Compare BCI Research Cities →What You'll Get
Objective data to compare research strength across cities.
Understand concentration vs. distribution of research activity.
Make location choices based on data, not just reputation.
💡 5 Tips for Using ScholarMap Effectively
1.Don't Only Focus on Top Cities
High-density cities often have higher living costs and more competition. Consider emerging hubs with strong research programs and better quality of life.
2.Look at Research Density, Not Just Total Numbers
A city with 50 researchers across 3 institutions might offer a tighter research community than 100 researchers spread across 20 institutions.
3.Explore Related Fields
Cities strong in adjacent fields (e.g., neuroscience + AI) often provide the best opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations.
4.Use as a Starting Point
ScholarMap helps you narrow down options. Follow up by checking lab websites, recent publications, and funding status for final decisions.
5.Check Multiple Fields if You're Interdisciplinary
If your work spans multiple areas, explore each field separately to find cities with strength across your interests.
💬Combine with Other Resources
Use ScholarMap alongside job boards, university career services, and your professional network for the most comprehensive search.
Ready to Explore?
Start discovering research opportunities in your field and make data-driven decisions about your academic career.