u/Ecstatic_Prior2206

I have been unemployed since last year December after my phd graduation, surviving on savings which are going to exhaust soon. Since then i have been writing grants proposals and cold emailing to over 50 targeted and good fit PIs. No response at all. Have 2 first author papers over all 5 papers in decent impact factor. What i should do next. I am from a conventional chemistry background. I know this is going to be difficult, Anyone in a similar situation. Any small suggestion is appreciated. Thanks.

Hi everyone,

I am currently finishing up my PhD and starting the hunt for my first postdoc position. I am trying to budget my time realistically and manage my expectations.

For those who have been through this:

How many hours per week did you actually spend searching, customizing CVs, writing cover letters, and preparing applications?

How many months before your defense did you start the process?

How many positions did you end up applying to before landing your first offer?

Any insights, timelines, or balancing tips would be incredibly helpful. Thanks!

Has anyone experienced a similar situation after completing their PhD? I am currently left with only one published first-author paper, along with two major revisions in progress and one unsubmitted manuscript. Given how mentally exhausting the final stretch was, I am considering taking a deliberate one-year gap to complete these papers and recover from burnout. Is this a sound choice, or is it better to hurry and secure a postdoc position immediately despite the exhaustion? My field is material science/corrosion chemistry

I am a fresh phd graduate working on a review paper simultaneously with postdoc applications in material science. Can i publish this review paper as an unsolicited review paper being the only author and being affiliated to my old university.? As in various journals the scope is for only invited review papers. In others if there is scope of unsolicited reviews but they require a stablished researcher not young.

I am a fresh phd graduate working on a review paper simultaneously with postdoc applications in material science. Can i publish this review paper as an unsolicited review paper being the only author and being affiliated to my old university.? As in various journal the scope is for only invited review papers. In other if there is scope of unsolicited reviews but they require a stablished researcher not young.

I am still working on 2-3 manuscripts after getting PhD degree(writing manuscripts). Should i submit them and then apply for postdoc positions because i think i would get better lab once i update my CV accordingly, Or should i apply now with just 1 first author 1 submitted and 2 co-authored papers. Please suggest-i am from materials science/chemistry.