Jessica S. Merlin

Career coach · Salt Lake City, UT · virtual

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"Strategic support for scientists who want more-and deserve it." (in their words, on their website)

Services

ServiceWhat is includedPrice
General coaching and consulting services
academic researchers at all stages, with expertise in mid-career and senior academics		 confidential one-on-one guidance · help identify academic success for client · help identify concrete steps to achieve success on request
Negotiation coaching and consulting
scientists, especially academic scientists		 confidential one-on-one guidance · help identify short and long-term career goals · develop negotiation strategy · coach to understand and talk about value confidently · negotiate salary, institutional funds, partner hires, space, and more on request
Force Multiplier Workshops
mid-career to senior scientists		 strategies for amplification and ripple effects · highly interactive workshops · topics: creating more time, mentoring, writing grants, building research program, negotiation (2-part workshop) on request
Masterclasses and Keynotes
faculty at all stages, especially mid-career and senior scientists		 lectures in masterclass and keynote formats · topics: negotiation for early to mid career scientist, academic career lessons, NIH career trajectories, evidence-based mentoring, mentoring matters workshop, building research program on request

As published on their website, read Sep 30, 2026.

How they compare

Computed by Callings from the prices and experience coaches publish. Not a rating.

Where they fit

StudentsEarlyMidManagerDirectorVP / C-suite
Resume and LinkedInnononononono
Interviews and offersnonoyesyesyesyes
Job search strategynonoyesyesyesyes
Career direction and changenonoyesyesyesyes
Leadershipnononononono
Personal brandnononononono

How they work

Process
Identify academic success goals · Identify concrete steps to achieve goals · Develop negotiation strategy · Coach to understand and articulate value · Negotiate for resources
Before coaching
physician-scientist and Endowed Chair / Professor with Tenure, academic medicine (15 years)

Do it yourself, or hire a coach?

Doing it yourselfUsually enough whenA coach earns the fee when
Interviews3 to 6 hours of practice out loud per interview process. Callings can prepare you for each job you track.Early rounds in a format you know.Final rounds, panels, a new kind of role, or you tend to freeze.
Job searchA target list, a weekly plan and steady outreach. Callings builds the weekly plan and tracks every application, free.Interviews are coming in.Three months without traction, or a senior search that runs on your network.
Career directionWeeks of reading and conversations about roles that fit. Callings can show your strengths and the pay for each role.You already have two or three target roles.You do not know what comes next, or you want structure and a formal assessment.

Times are our estimates. Try Callings.

Questions to ask before hiring

  1. What does it cost in total, and what is included? (no published price)
  2. What are your cancellation and refund terms? (no refund terms on their site)
  3. Who do you usually work with, and how long does a typical engagement last? (always worth asking)

Their website promises results: "In the end, my start-up funds were $500,000 more than my original goal, and my protected time was 20% more. Even my final salary ended up higher than I dared to hoped it could!". No coach can guarantee a job, interviews or a placement rate. Be careful with anyone who does, and with promises of a "hidden job market" or exclusive recruiter access.

What they publish

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