r/postdoc

I wanted to get an idea how much tax will be imposed on 80k Annually in Toronto.

Thanks in advance

I recently obtained my PhD and I am on a job hunt for a postdoc in Paris. I work on phage defense and genetics.

I contacted numerous teams and most of the answers they have regards the fact they do not have money. Nobody has money. The only way I could get a job is either to find a grant to apply to (so for a job next year) or do something I am not qualified for (but nobody would hire me as I won't be qualified). What do I do with that?

I was told doing a PhD would help me get a postdoc but now I feel like my friends that did not do a PhD have an easier way and find jobs so much faster

For context, I have 4 manuscripts in proof reading by my PI and soon to be on preprint. I'm not just cold-emailing either — I've been working my contacts, former supervisors and colleagues have passed my CV around and made intros, and that's produced meetings and good advice but still no funded position.

Anyone have a suggestion on how to atleast get an interview or find some with money to hire me?

Not sure why it seems like every single Postdoc/Fellowship application requires 3 LORs each time on top of a cover letter, letter of intent, research statement and the list goes on and on (very unrealistic expectations).

Well, I have been gathering a list of U.S. Industry Postdocs/Fellowships that do not ask for such thing and at most just one LOR.
Feel free to suggest any in the comments. Thanks.

Edit 1: By LOR, I mean a letter of recommendation ( which is different from a letter of reference).

Edit 2: A list of Letter of 3 references are fine. Some programs will ask for 3 letter of recommendations only if you make it to the interview or if you get accepted into their fellowships and those are fine.

Edit 3: FYI: Many postdocs/fellowships from companies like Pfizer, Merck… do not ask for any LORs.

I’ve basically never taken a real break from academia. I went straight from university to my Master’s, then immediately into my PhD, and literally started my first postdoc in another country the same day I defended my PhD.
During grad school, I kept telling myself, “Once I finish, I’ll finally rest.” That never happened, and honestly, I’m starting to think that just doesn’t happen in this career.
During my first postdoc, I developed severe daytime sleepiness. I could sleep and still feel exhausted. I struggled to stay awake during meetings, presentations, and experiments, sometimes splashing water on my face in the lab just to stay focused.
Eventually, I saw a doctor. I was first prescribed atomoxetine and later Adderall when the sleepiness became severe again. Adderall helped me function and stay awake, although I was initially afraid to take it because of its potential to be habit-forming.
I recently moved across the country for another postdoc and, once again, started almost immediately. I’ve now run out of my medication after the move, and the underlying exhaustion and sleepiness are still there.
I honestly don’t know whether this is burnout after years of never stopping, an actual sleep/medical problem, or both. Part of me feels like I desperately need a real break, but I just started this postdoc and I’m afraid that asking my new PI for time off so soon would look bad.
Has anyone here (especially postdocs or PIs) experienced something similar? Would you prioritize a proper sleep evaluation, taking some real time off, talking to your PI, or something else?
For PIs specifically: would you see it as a red flag if a new postdoc told you they were exhausted after transitioning directly from their previous position and needed some time to recover?
I’m not looking for medication advice. I’m trying to figure out how to make this sustainable.

I received a postdoc offer, and I am not sure what to say to my current PI. My current PI is nice (as in no micromanagement or demands) and well-known in a specific research community, but I feel I am not growing academically in the lab (and I (and other postdocs) also feel some partiality in terms of providing opportunities from my PI to postdocs based on demographics), and the research topic feels very saturated and competitive (AI). Also, I did my PhD with the same PI, so I have been with the same PI for the last 5 years. My current PI is also planning to retire in a few years, if that matters.

I recently got an opportunity for a senior postdoc position (just a bit of an increase in salary and title) in a field between conservation and AI research, and this PI is from conservation (and a rising star in the field), so I will lead AI research in the lab. I've also been interested in conservation for quite a while.

I know you are supposed to avoid doing a postdoc with the same PhD advisor in most cases, but I decided to do it because it was the only option I had when I was graduating, and I was aware that Postdoc jobs were very competitive and scarce, and now I feel I'm not growing much academically and feel trapped. I still have a year left on my contract, but if I stay another year, I will just feel miserable.

So, for people who moved from one Postdoc to another in the UK while you still had a contract left, what did you say, and how did you tell your PI you were leaving without burning the bridge?

Hi everyone,
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who went into a technician role after completing their PhD.
What was the transition like for you? Did you ever feel that taking a technician position was a step down after completing a PhD, or did you see it as a different career path with its own advantages?
I’d also be interested to hear what you enjoy about the role and what you find challenging or frustrating. For example, how do you find the level of responsibility, opportunities for progression, work-life balance, and the day-to-day work compared with what you were doing during your PhD?
If you made the move from a PhD into a technician role, would you make the same decision again? And has the role opened up any opportunities that you hadn’t anticipated?
I’m considering this route myself, so I’d really appreciate any honest experiences, both positive and negative. Thanks in advance!