r/postdoc

I just started my postdoc (currently in my third week!) and would really appreciate advice from people who have gone through the process.

During my PhD, I only realised the importance of publications towards the final semesters, and I kind of regret not pushing my supervisors enough to get my manuscripts reviewed/submitted earlier. So, for my postdoc, I want to be more intentional from the beginning and have a clear idea of what I should be working towards.

Beyond simply publishing papers (also… how many publications is considered good enough?), what would you consider the most valuable things to achieve during a postdoc if the goal is to become a strong candidate for an academic/faculty position?

Basically, if you could go back to the first day of your postdoc, what would you tell yourself to prioritise over the next 2–3 years?

Thanks!

Hello, I earned my PhD from IISC (India) in 2019. Published 3 first authored papers.

Later moved for postdoc at KTH , NTU - SG and ETH Zurich. (2 years at each place).

Have published well in my postdoc as well.

Want to return back to India , preferably as a faculty at top IIT's. Gave interviews at 5 different IIT's but did not get any updates after the interview. Don't know what's going on.

Now being unemployed for almost a year, I was approached by a senior professor in Europe for a postdoc.. don't know whether I should move again to Europe and take this postdoc.. as I don't want to be in postdoc loop again.

Has anyone went through similar situation?

Is this end of my academic career ?

My program is five years, but my PI said I can finish in four. My PI is well-connected, and her colleague from a different university wanted to hire me for a postdoc. As you know, PhD stipend is extremely low. I understand that Postdoc positions are underpaid, but my salary would be from $36,000 USD to $70,000.

I wanted to stay an extra year to take more classes and learn more skills, but I’m also tired of being poor. I’ve published several papers, so I don’t really need additional publications.

I accepted a postdoc position in the NL 2 months ago to start in October, and I have not been able to find accommodation despite actively searching for a few weeks now. I've tried University housing services and real estate listings, and I have not been able to even secure a viewing, just straight up rejections or messages that the property has been rented. I gave myself 2 more weeks to try to find something and then I think I need to have an honest conversation with the PI. I'm really not sure what to do and am extremely stressed over this situation. Anyone with similar experience?

I have a fairly specific situation, but I’m hoping someone here has dealt with something similar.

I’m a PhD student in cell biology/neurobiology and am about to submit my thesis. My university does not have a traditional thesis defense. Instead, the thesis is sent to two external experts for review, who can either accept it or request revisions (full process takes 3-6 months). Once I submit, my faculty can provide an official document confirming that I have completed all of my PhD requirements and am only awaiting thesis review, but the PhD itself will not yet be formally awarded. I have multiple first author publication in Q1 Journals and am not expecting any problems with getting the thesis passed.

I’ve been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from my PhD university that covers part of the postdoc salary, but the fellowship must be paid directly into my bank account in my home country. A UK PI has agreed to host me for the postdoc and provide a small salary top-up from his lab funds (0.1 FTE) so that my overall funding reaches a normal postdoc salary.

The issue is the visa. The UK university’s HR department told us that a visiting researcher/academic route would only work if I receive no salary from the UK host institution. They suggested the Global Talent visa because it would allow me to work without the same salary or working-hour restrictions.

However, the route I appear to qualify for is Global Talent Exceptional Promise via peer review, and the Royal Society guidance seems to require that the PhD has already been formally awarded.

Has anyone successfully applied in a similar situation using an official thesis-submission/completion certificate before the degree was formally awarded? Alternatively, is there another UK visa route that might allow someone to receive an external fellowship plus a small 0.1 FTE salary from the host university?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has dealt with a similar fellowship/visa arrangement.

Thanks yall :)

Hi there. I'm in a very stressful situation related to the Canadian work permit extension and signing a new contract, timing is not working for me, unfortunately...

I've been a postdoc in Canada's top university over last 5 years with good record of publications and working almost without vacation, basically doing much more than postdoc obliged to do including lab management, teaching, research, proposal writing etc., but every year my PI would wait until the last week before extending my contract, which let's very little time to apply for canadian work permit (usually a week or two) and then I have to wait next 6-7 months until I get the WP without being able to travel even. I'm living here with two dependant family members, which makes me less flexible on stopping everything and moving from here.

This year it's even harder, as I have less then 2 weeks left and still not confirmed what will be the surprising scenario that PI decides. by far I saw the contract it's even less then minimum postdoc would get, e.g. artificially made RA position, but paying only 85% percent of minimum postdoc salary. I could drive an Uber and make more than 45k, after 16 years of academic experience and living in Toronto... I was promised some increase in salary back 5 months ago, but as the time goes and PI knowing I'm very dependent at this position at this moment, didn't lose the chance to manipulate, underpay and overuse the power against non domestic postdoc knowing that otherwise I have to leave the country together with my family...

The pressure is so high, that I don't know what to do, sell everything, pack my things, cancel my kids school, apartment lease and everything or wait until next week to see how everything works. I still don't have confidence that I can get the LMIA exemption number in one week even if my contract would be signed next week...

Overall very toxic experience and ended up having a mental health issues during these years and specially during times of signing a new contract. It feels like a loop that I'm trying to get out but being stacked infinitely. I tried to find new positions and seems having some success and seriously considering to move US. Any suggestions how can I handle such situation as universities usually don't have immigration advisor for postdocs, even if they had a one, these people are not very helpful... Believe me I tried to ask all administration, but the support was minimal judging from my previous years experiences...thanks!

For those of you who had a happy postdoc experience, was the postdoc experience good because you ended up in a good lab? For those of you not in a good lab, were there ways to help cope/ overcome the negative parts of the postdoc (i.e. stress, poor mentorship, etc) that resulted in an overall positive experience?

I’m in a neuroscience-related field and really like this PI’s work. We met at a conference and have kept a slight connection since, but nothing close.

About two weeks ago, I reached out about postdoc possibilities. He said his NIH funding was committed to a current student. Then yesterday, he emailed me saying he’d just received additional grants that would let him hire a postdoc, sent me the application portal, and encouraged me to apply.

I applied pretty much immediately and let him know. He replied that it was great to hear and that he looked forward to reviewing my postdoc application.

I know none of this guarantees anything, especially since the position is publicly advertised. But would you take this as a meaningful positive sign that I might at least get an interview, or is this fairly standard PI politeness?

I’ve had so many rejections lately that I’ve lost confidence in reading any positive signs and basically don’t trust anything until there’s an actual offer.

I know they can just submit the same letter but I feel bad planning 12-13 applications that need to be submitted between August and December..

Who did you ask reference letter?
Let’s say one is supervisor, the others 2 committee members. I asked one of my committee member and she said she is away for vacation. I am not sure who else I can ask? Who were your back ups?

Currently I am a geotechnical engineering postdoc in Italy, paid around 1800€ net per month 13 times. I am really not satisfied with this salary. Want to shift to industry in northern Europe or somewhere where the pay is respectable. Applied at many places, but am able to hardly get any responses. Any leads will be helpful.

From your experience, how common is it for PIs to conduct informal interviews before shortlisting!! With just about 200 applicants for one post doc position how many realistically get the informal chat ? I seem to get a lot of informal chats after I apply but handful interviews. Cannot help but wonder does it really mean anything if you get the informal interview if many others are getting it too for the same role!! Job market is tough at the moment!!

So after graduating this year from my PhD (Biochemistry), i have found my skills (mostly bacterial protein expression, purification and biochemical/biophysical characterisation) are kind of just run of the mill skills and aren't seemingly high up on my post doc positions skills. Is there ways apart from asking labs if i can do some work for free effectively, to try and gain some needed skills in areas such as cell biology, more in depth structural work and mammalian cell work? I have asked one lab for a few weeks training on mammalian cell work but I only have a part time job but cant really afford to just spend money on expensive courses and long term stetches in labs where i have to pay my own way etc. Any ideas would be appreciated. In Uk.

I am an foreigner in US. My work involves collaborating with state fish-wildlife-conservation agencies and hunters across the country. For some reason, I feel intimidated and I absolutely need to overcome that feeling. I sometimes tend to freeze when they ask me questions and my mentor has to pitch in for me. I am seeking if anyone has faced this and how you overcome it.

I’m 3y as postdoc now and severely disillusioned with the whole academic system. For reference I’m in stem (a highly theoretical/ fundemental field) and I used to love learning and researching the most obscure fundamental things, but now I don’t see the point. Everything is made worse by the fact that I’m mid-30s, own nothing, have no savings, and have spent the last 3y in a different country to my partner. I’m struggling to even focus now, and while I’m good at what I do I just can’t be bothered anymore, I just want to quit and go live in the same place as my partner and I’m so fed up I’m drinking a lot to cope with the internal stress of it all. I’m starting to regret even doing my PhD and wish I just got a job straight after graduating. There’s several things I could pivot to (mostly tech industry based) but I’ve had not even a single interview so far (approx 50 applications) even in things that a direct match for me. Im not sure if I can even manage to motivate myself for a career in tech, I don’t want to use my scientific skills just to make a big multinational more money in this capitalist hellscape. I can’t do a job that just pays a good pay check and check out from it, I need to find some kind of value in my work and feel like it’s providing some kind of benefit to the community. I can’t just quit my job, I have no money or financial safety net from family. I have been considering doing something in education, to me that’s super meaningful but i don’t have the money to get the relevant qualifications (I’d need to go back to university for a year in my home country) and break into it. I don’t know what to do, some days I wish I just went and learnt a manual trade after leaving school. I’m not sure what the point of this post is, I’m just at the end of my tether and need to vent and help/ advice.

Hi everyone,

Recently I received a postdoc offer in Germany.
During the interview I asked about salary, and the PI specifically mentioned that the salary is from TV-L table or aomething similar. And he specified that it was Entgeltgruppe 13.

I still didn’t receive the offer with salary. But is there any chance it is not that? A brief explanation about how this table works would be great, if possible. (For now, I’m not concerned about the Stufe).

Thank you!

As in, stress wise, the amount of work expected from you, the mental health etc etc

Hi everyone, I’m an MBBS graduate and researcher currently looking for a paid postdoctoral research position in the United States that can provide J-1 visa sponsorship.

I have extensive research experience, particularly in cardiology/cardiovascular research, clinical epidemiology, and data-driven research, with experience in research methodology, statistical analysis, manuscript writing, and collaborative projects.

I would be very grateful for any advice on:

Labs or institutions currently recruiting postdocs

PIs who may be open to international candidates

Programs that provide J-1 sponsorship

Any leads, referrals, or personal experiences that could help me navigate the process

If you know of an opportunity or have advice, I would genuinely appreciate your help. Thank you!

Sadly, I have a toxic boss and I need legal help. Is there any place I can ask legal help except private lawyers? The university system is not working and I am not a member of the union. So, I am looking for other alternatives. The university is in north of Germany.

I have been on the job market since the last semester of my PhD (around 7 months), I am now in a situation where I am not really sure how to navigate the next steps.

I have applied to many industry positions and postdocs. At the moment, I have two verbal postdoc offers, although neither is in writing yet. One is through my own PhD advisor, but honestly, I do not have much motivation to continue working there. The other is with a different group at my university, and that opportunity is more interesting to me. I have to make a decision sharp this week by Friday on which one i choose, and have to inform the other one.

The tricky part is that I have not told either postdoc group that I am also in discussions with the other. In both cases, I have given them the impression that I am planning to work with them, since at the time I was genuinely considering both options. I am now worried about what happens when I eventually choose one. Will the other PI take it badly? Could there be consequences, especially since both are within the same university?

Then there is the industry opportunity, which is honestly one of my dream jobs. I have gone through an onsite interview recently and today the recruiter asked about my availability to talk about the decision, so I am assuming this probably means an offer is coming, hopefully (i have another contact in the same company and he confirmed that he got the same email when was offered the position). However, I do not have a verbal or written offer yet (call with recruiter is scheduled for tomorrow). I also know that even if they tell me I am getting the job, it could still take some time before everything is official and I have something in writing. My biggest fear is that I turn down the postdoc options based on an expected industry offer, and then something happens during the process and I end up with nothing.

So right now I am basically sitting on two verbal postdoc offers and a potentially upcoming industry offer, but nothing is officially confirmed.

For people who have been in a similar situation, what would you recommend?

Would you wait until you have a written and signed industry offer before making any decision? And how would you handle the two postdoc PIs when you eventually have to tell one of them that you are going with the other?

I am especially interested in hearing from people who have dealt with multiple offers within the same university or moved from academia to industry. I want to handle this professionally without burning bridges, but I also do not want to make a decision based on something that is not guaranteed yet.