Academia Stack Exchange
Academia Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [postdocs]

Regarding Post-Doctoral appointments, duties and job-hunt.

1820 questions
48
votes
10 answers

Are unpaid postdoc positions common?

I contacted a group leader, and he strongly liked my CV. He encouraged me to join his group as a postdoc fellow, but he mentioned that the position he may offer is unpaid (so, I must cover my living expenses). He mentioned that I can publish good…
user49444
  • 481
  • 1
  • 4
  • 3
35
votes
5 answers

What is the best way to turn down a Postdoc offer?

I've been recently offered a couple of Postdoc positions, and I was wondering how you as professors would prefer to be informed if a candidate would rather work with another institution. I know we are professionals, and these things are to be…
Leon palafox
  • 11,976
  • 9
  • 40
  • 75
32
votes
12 answers

Why do people generally do postdoc?

After a PhD, why do people generally do postdocs at universities rather than work in research firms or organizations? Is it only because they want to become academicians?
user366312
  • 5,654
  • 6
  • 45
  • 97
31
votes
6 answers

Can you reject a postdoc offer after the PI has paid a large sum for flights/accommodation for your visit?

I am being considered for a very nice industry scientist position but this involves many interviews and assessments and can take some time. However I have also accepted an invitation to the US (I'm in Australia) to give a presentation in relation to…
FrostedCentral
  • 745
  • 2
  • 7
  • 10
22
votes
2 answers

Going back to do a Postdoc at 35?

I have been offered a postdoc position at Cambridge University. That's great, because two years ago I wanted to go back to academia and went to see my PhD supervisor (I finished my PhD in engineering in 2007) to ask if he might have or know of a…
user643192
  • 323
  • 2
  • 6
16
votes
3 answers

What should I do if I have an idea but can't work on it immediately?

I am a postdoc working on a research project, which is funded by a grant that runs for 3 years. After my first year working on the project, I identified a problem which could potentially lead to a new research direction, but it is not directly…
adipro
  • 8,488
  • 6
  • 44
  • 88
15
votes
4 answers

When and how to make the jump to Assistant Prof

I find myself in a complicated situation. I am about to finish a 3 year Postdoc, and have been applying to other postdoc and professorship positions. However I have not been lucky so far, without even a single interview. I am even wondering my path…
Pedro Resende
  • 151
  • 1
  • 5
15
votes
1 answer

How do academic position job search committees evaluate potential for intellectual leadership?

From what JeffE says over at Priority of application materials for admission decision The list is not that different for postdoc hiring (not "admission"), at least in my field (computer science). The big differences are (1) grades do not matter…
InquilineKea
  • 10,818
  • 8
  • 46
  • 108
14
votes
1 answer

Why is it recommended to do a post-doc outside of the group you did your PhD in?

If it's possible to do a post-doc in the group you did your PhD in, which I assume should not be too hard if you have a good relationship with your advisor, why do researchers often choose to do postdocs at other departments? If one does a post-doc…
user2562609
  • 6,960
  • 4
  • 37
  • 52
13
votes
1 answer

I have published all my PhD papers independently, how get a postdoc position?

I have a PhD in organic chemistry from a top-tier university and published 5 papers in good journals. My PhD advisor was very helpful and helped me a lot but she is not in any of my papers as she believed her contribution is not enough for…
Kama
  • 131
  • 2
12
votes
3 answers

Is short-term or long-term PostDoc better for academic career?

Is working on a 1-year postdoctoral project better or worse than multi-year (2–3 years) postdoctoral projects for a research academic career, and why? A supplementary question: Is three 1-year postdoc better or worse than one 3-year postdoc? N.B. I…
user366312
  • 5,654
  • 6
  • 45
  • 97
12
votes
1 answer

How can I address my career future with my current PI?

I'm currently midway through my first Postdoc gig, I got a 1 year contract and haven't heard a word from my PI concerning any possible extensions. I only have 6 more months left in my program, and I was wondering whether I should: Ask him directly…
Leon palafox
  • 11,976
  • 9
  • 40
  • 75
10
votes
4 answers

Is it OK to turn down a postdoc offer (contract not signed yet) after getting a better postdoc offer

I have received a postdoc offer from a world famous university (ranking ~ 60 worldwide) early June and accepted the offer via email. The university helped me applied for the visa an I have obtained the visa. The hardcopy of the contract, however,…
NoWhereMan
  • 101
  • 3
10
votes
2 answers

Traditional career paths post post-doc

I am in the process of submitting my PhD thesis, and have been offered a 1yr post-doc role at my current institution. If it matters, I am in UK and work in applied mathematics at a well-known faculty. My question relates to "traditional" career…
Tom Martin
  • 103
  • 4
9
votes
3 answers

Swap Postdoc position

I was offered a post doc position in a top level university about 2 months ago, which I have already accepted. However, I was recently called for an interview in another equally prestigious university for another postdoc position which I applied to…
A. Nonimous
  • 91
  • 3
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8