I really identify with wanting to be a permanent post-doc. I love helping grad students and being in a "big brother" role, but all the bureaucracy associated with professorship seems like it would overwhelm me, and I've always been terrible at starting my own projects. I'm about halfway through my first postdoc and I'm really losing productivity to the anxiety caused by thinking about what's next.
for the post-docs. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors . After 6 horrible years (not 7 because the first 6 months my PhD weren't that bad), and I no longer go on that road. I love my research, I am proud of my work, but there is always a point in which I am 'not good enough'. After I finished my PhD I realized that I no longer need to convince anyone else that I am good enough. Also, post-docs payment is still very low compared to what I could get in an industry position. So, it is still not worth the money.
A career postdoc is a thing in the UK (in Scotland, at least... my colleague at U. Edinburgh is one). His position may be called something else, though. It took me two postdocs, five years, and multiple relocations between countries to land a temporary faculty position (which also expired eventually). I'm a full professor now. Looking back, it has been a troubling career.
A lot of useful information in a very short period of time. Thank you so much Dr Vera for your usual rich content. I've enjoyed the explanations and tips. Looking forward to the next videos. Cordially,
In recent years, we've seen a trend of academics, including some tenured professors, choosing to leave their positions. This shift raises questions about the long-term value of postdoctoral roles in today's changing academic landscape
I wish i knew this before i started mine, in South Africa postdoc we dnt get benefits not even a basic health insurance. I wish i knew i had the right to negotiate my salary.
Glad it was helpful, Brian! I have a playlist on Postdoc Application, feel free to check back on another coffee break :) ua-cam.com/play/PLF6JfHXiwSZ7owTVmyfOFhbwBEMlZRGoH.html
Very thoughtful video. I am about to have a 2nd interview. The facts are University is good, PI is super nice, not so much pressure for publication and I will have the liberty to design my own work but I am the first Postdoc in that lab and they can offer me for 1 year contract but the future depends on getting of my own funding by the 1st year. PI and the lab manager will help me with that. My questions are 1. if I consider this position, how should i approach my 2nd interview? 2. How I can boost my postdoc position for future career like to become an assistant professor. Thanks
Hi Dr. A. Congratulations on nailing the first interview. I have answeres a similar question specific to the final interview of postdoc in this video in terms of the science (your background, your postdoc plan, your future lab as a young PI): ua-cam.com/video/xrmvd-DmSc8/v-deo.html More personally, depending on if you are changing country, you need to keep the following questions in mind (find an appropriate time to discuss with HR of the institution): - visa timeline and status (does it allow you to apply for jobs after postdoc), salary range - the possibility of a contract extension (some institution has rules to forbid an extension) - unemployment benefit as a foreigner when the contract ends (it is a buffer during the job search period) - relocation advice and potential relocation support (my insitution paid for a relocation agent to help me find an apartment, and it was much easier arriving France as a non-french speaker). - do they have a postdoc association (so that you can ask the above personal questions without bothering the PI). More academically, the bottom line is to publish as much as you could during postdoc, so you may want to discuss the potential publishable research projects in the 2nd meeting and consider how productive you could be during the 1 year of Postdoc. In addition, look up the previous postdocs/ PhD and see where have they ended up, and perhaps they can guide you to the right University resources early on, so that you can be the most productive you could be. Let me know how it goes! Good luck with your Postdoc application :)
@@PhDCoffeeTime Thank you so much for these suggestions. They offered me the job. Now I will take your suggestion to setup an meeting with HR. And professor told me that my extension depends with getting a funding witgin my first year and other relevant performance. Prof. also provided me the ongoing projects and asked me to contribute my insights. Keep up the good work. Take care
@Dr. A Wonderful news! All the best with the new experience! Feel free to share more updates with me via phdcoffeetime@gmail.com or connect with me over other social media. Hope you will enjoy the postdoc and have a productive time ahead!
sorry to burst your bubble, but you are basically a short term contract worker without any security while doing a sh it load of work for someone else to get the credit. ALWAYS be on the look out for OTHER career options. Remember, you have about 5 years to get hired as a tenure track, 10 years at most (if you can find the money for the PI to pay you) to publish a shi t load (I mean sh it load) and be established or perish, fade, die off (your career that is). If you PI is telling you you don't need to publish, you are being lied to and you are about to be exploited. And 1 year contract is pretty lame - you are basically on probation, being watched to see you are worth it.
Had a phd scholarship lined up. Decided not to do it because the future was so bleak, I knew I would have to move country all the time so wouldn't be able to have a family. Two kids later, I dont regret a thing.
I’m now based in China in my final PhD year. Looking for post doc in the USA , Europe or Australia. I would like yo ask you , which are the best platforms for post doc in your place? As the case of China there are many useful platforms . Thank you
According to a study, 4+ first-authored papers after a PhD should put you in a more competitive position for fellowship. It will depend on how competitive your field is, and a good way to find out is to look up the current postdoc, note their number of publications on Research Gate before postdoc (PhD graduation year).
It really depends on the team culture. I did feel lonely in my first few months when I didn't know a single word of French. I was a lot happier after I started practicing on Duolingo (made a funny video on this!). I think France is one of the few European countries that is not truely accepting English as the only language at the work space, so having basic knowledge of French (even just to convince them to use English) really goes a long way.
@@PhDCoffeeTime thanks for your reply. I recently visited France, and I had precisely that impression. I’ll do my best to improve my French skills. Thanks.
Life is a marathon and the ultimate competitor is ourselves. A master/doctorate is only useful when we can see yourself working a relevant job market (academia/industry/government/enterpreneurship) that uses the skills. So, be thoughtful when choosing the right program, and treat your time like money (you are easily investing half a decade of youth!) before signing up for any program. Some technicians worked for 10+ years and eventually decided to get a PhD, and they are often the best PhD with all the right skills required. All the best!
I actually have made this collaborative video with Vicky (a more experienced MW), you will enjoy this conversation: ua-cam.com/video/ydHd1k3CcaQ/v-deo.html
Indeed I am experimenting difference video styles, seems like this shorter informative version is quite well-received so you will see more of this style in the future :)
The discussion of Salary should only come at the very end after you are certain you will get the offer. For Professor's interview that is usually after the on-site interview, and for postdoc, at least wait until they offer you verbally after a zoom call. In fact, my negotiation was not even face-to-face, I wrote to the PI after the interview was over. I share the NIH salary link and politely ask whether their Institution has extra support to incentivize the hiring of more experienced postdocs. In the end, I got an increase in my salary because of that email.
@@PhDCoffeeTime It was more of a joke on the fact that my boss literally didn't know. In his defense he was new in the country and the salary is defined by the collective agreement between the university and the union, and, as far as I understand, I can't negotiate the salary myself here without involving the union.
Postdoc is basically a part-time job for PhD graduates who couldn’t get a full-time faculty position. Spending 1-2 years as a Postdoc is ok, but any longer than that, you’ll be viewed as a failure in academia and it’ll be more difficult to land a tenured track position from there
"a part-time job for PhD graduates who couldn’t get a full-time faculty position" Not anymore, at least in the last 20 years. That was the initial idea of the postdoc, but now it's absolutely essential to have a couple of them before being considered for a full-time faculty position. I'm talking from the point of view of Physics/Astronomy.
Won't agree completely. In Physics it is so competitive that post doc has kind of become a requirement for faculty position. However same does not apply to economics or many humanities fields.
I really identify with wanting to be a permanent post-doc. I love helping grad students and being in a "big brother" role, but all the bureaucracy associated with professorship seems like it would overwhelm me, and I've always been terrible at starting my own projects. I'm about halfway through my first postdoc and I'm really losing productivity to the anxiety caused by thinking about what's next.
Industry researcher? You mostly do the same research work you do now and the same "big brother" work with interns.
for the post-docs. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors . After 6 horrible years (not 7 because the first 6 months my PhD weren't that bad), and I no longer go on that road. I love my research, I am proud of my work, but there is always a point in which I am 'not good enough'. After I finished my PhD I realized that I no longer need to convince anyone else that I am good enough. Also, post-docs payment is still very low compared to what I could get in an industry position. So, it is still not worth the money.
A career postdoc is a thing in the UK (in Scotland, at least... my colleague at U. Edinburgh is one). His position may be called something else, though.
It took me two postdocs, five years, and multiple relocations between countries to land a temporary faculty position (which also expired eventually). I'm a full professor now. Looking back, it has been a troubling career.
A lot of useful information in a very short period of time. Thank you so much Dr Vera for your usual rich content.
I've enjoyed the explanations and tips.
Looking forward to the next videos.
Cordially,
Glad you enjoy this lighter and shorter video style, I am experimenting as well so I am happy to hear your feedback!
Cheers for a great intro to what to expect from PostDoc life.
Hi Vera! I see you're doing well with your channel. I'm not surprised.
In recent years, we've seen a trend of academics, including some tenured professors, choosing to leave their positions. This shift raises questions about the long-term value of postdoctoral roles in today's changing academic landscape
Jut awesome...!!! Keep doing it we are loving it....
So pleased to hear that! Means a lot to hear your feedback.
She is talking as if getting a permanent job in academia were NoT astronomically improbable
I wish i knew this before i started mine, in South Africa postdoc we dnt get benefits not even a basic health insurance. I wish i knew i had the right to negotiate my salary.
wow this was very helpful! Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful, Brian! I have a playlist on Postdoc Application, feel free to check back on another coffee break :)
ua-cam.com/play/PLF6JfHXiwSZ7owTVmyfOFhbwBEMlZRGoH.html
Is it hard to get a postdoc in the US if you don't have a green card or permit to work?
Great sharing, thx!
Very thoughtful video. I am about to have a 2nd interview. The facts are University is good, PI is super nice, not so much pressure for publication and I will have the liberty to design my own work but I am the first Postdoc in that lab and they can offer me for 1 year contract but the future depends on getting of my own funding by the 1st year. PI and the lab manager will help me with that. My questions are 1. if I consider this position, how should i approach my 2nd interview?
2. How I can boost my postdoc position for future career like to become an assistant professor.
Thanks
Hi Dr. A. Congratulations on nailing the first interview. I have answeres a similar question specific to the final interview of postdoc in this video in terms of the science (your background, your postdoc plan, your future lab as a young PI): ua-cam.com/video/xrmvd-DmSc8/v-deo.html
More personally, depending on if you are changing country, you need to keep the following questions in mind (find an appropriate time to discuss with HR of the institution):
- visa timeline and status (does it allow you to apply for jobs after postdoc), salary range
- the possibility of a contract extension (some institution has rules to forbid an extension)
- unemployment benefit as a foreigner when the contract ends (it is a buffer during the job search period)
- relocation advice and potential relocation support (my insitution paid for a relocation agent to help me find an apartment, and it was much easier arriving France as a non-french speaker).
- do they have a postdoc association (so that you can ask the above personal questions without bothering the PI).
More academically, the bottom line is to publish as much as you could during postdoc, so you may want to discuss the potential publishable research projects in the 2nd meeting and consider how productive you could be during the 1 year of Postdoc.
In addition, look up the previous postdocs/ PhD and see where have they ended up, and perhaps they can guide you to the right University resources early on, so that you can be the most productive you could be.
Let me know how it goes! Good luck with your Postdoc application :)
@@PhDCoffeeTime Thank you so much for these suggestions. They offered me the job. Now I will take your suggestion to setup an meeting with HR.
And professor told me that my extension depends with getting a funding witgin my first year and other relevant performance.
Prof. also provided me the ongoing projects and asked me to contribute my insights.
Keep up the good work. Take care
@Dr. A Wonderful news! All the best with the new experience!
Feel free to share more updates with me via phdcoffeetime@gmail.com or connect with me over other social media. Hope you will enjoy the postdoc and have a productive time ahead!
sorry to burst your bubble, but you are basically a short term contract worker without any security while doing a sh it load of work for someone else to get the credit. ALWAYS be on the look out for OTHER career options. Remember, you have about 5 years to get hired as a tenure track, 10 years at most (if you can find the money for the PI to pay you) to publish a shi t load (I mean sh it load) and be established or perish, fade, die off (your career that is). If you PI is telling you you don't need to publish, you are being lied to and you are about to be exploited.
And 1 year contract is pretty lame - you are basically on probation, being watched to see you are worth it.
THANK YOU SO MUCH
"Yoda of your research" :D :D so true
Yes, insert a PhD meme :)
😂👌🏽
Please help.me.to do Postdoc madam
Had a phd scholarship lined up. Decided not to do it because the future was so bleak, I knew I would have to move country all the time so wouldn't be able to have a family. Two kids later, I dont regret a thing.
I’m now based in China in my final PhD year. Looking for post doc in the USA , Europe or Australia. I would like yo ask you , which are the best platforms for post doc in your place? As the case of China there are many useful platforms . Thank you
How many first author Sci papers are required to secure a postdoc position in agriculture science in Europe or the USA?
According to a study, 4+ first-authored papers after a PhD should put you in a more competitive position for fellowship. It will depend on how competitive your field is, and a good way to find out is to look up the current postdoc, note their number of publications on Research Gate before postdoc (PhD graduation year).
Postdoc is a good way to move to another country
Yes, that's how I ended up working in Europe now!
Almost 7,000 subscribers! Let's goooooo! #bestUA-camchannel
Thanks so much for your support, means a world to me!
How much time before PhD graduation do we need to apply for a postdoc position?
I would say casually networking throughout the PhD, then keep an excel sheet/ folder to send out applications on Year 3-4.
I've heard that CAS has lots of money...good luck with your application!
CAS certainly is a great institution!
Can you elaborate on your Postdoc in France? it is absolutely necessary to speak french or is English enough?
It really depends on the team culture. I did feel lonely in my first few months when I didn't know a single word of French. I was a lot happier after I started practicing on Duolingo (made a funny video on this!). I think France is one of the few European countries that is not truely accepting English as the only language at the work space, so having basic knowledge of French (even just to convince them to use English) really goes a long way.
@@PhDCoffeeTime thanks for your reply. I recently visited France, and I had precisely that impression. I’ll do my best to improve my French skills. Thanks.
Hello, Vera
Can I get your email or any other communication medium. I'm a research scholar at Amity University, India.
3:20 😭
Not everywhere respect the NIH level😔
I have been studying for 10 years and I'm already 28 but don't own even a master-degree. I feel shamed watching the video.
Life is a marathon and the ultimate competitor is ourselves.
A master/doctorate is only useful when we can see yourself working a relevant job market (academia/industry/government/enterpreneurship) that uses the skills. So, be thoughtful when choosing the right program, and treat your time like money (you are easily investing half a decade of youth!) before signing up for any program.
Some technicians worked for 10+ years and eventually decided to get a PhD, and they are often the best PhD with all the right skills required.
All the best!
*PhD?*
Yeah, don't do it. You've been _WARNED_ !!
Hi..Is post doc necessary for medical writing and How to get in medical writing as in what does companies look for?
Vera from PhD Coffee Time - this is a great idea for your next Video!!!
I actually have made this collaborative video with Vicky (a more experienced MW), you will enjoy this conversation: ua-cam.com/video/ydHd1k3CcaQ/v-deo.html
Your vedio is quite informative
Thankyou so much
Indeed I am experimenting difference video styles, seems like this shorter informative version is quite well-received so you will see more of this style in the future :)
And then there was my application:
"How much is the salary?"
"Uhm, I don't know just yet"
The discussion of Salary should only come at the very end after you are certain you will get the offer. For Professor's interview that is usually after the on-site interview, and for postdoc, at least wait until they offer you verbally after a zoom call.
In fact, my negotiation was not even face-to-face, I wrote to the PI after the interview was over. I share the NIH salary link and politely ask whether their Institution has extra support to incentivize the hiring of more experienced postdocs. In the end, I got an increase in my salary because of that email.
@@PhDCoffeeTime It was more of a joke on the fact that my boss literally didn't know. In his defense he was new in the country and the salary is defined by the collective agreement between the university and the union, and, as far as I understand, I can't negotiate the salary myself here without involving the union.
Get your doctorate, teach a couple years then go do something worthwhile
Postdoc is basically a part-time job for PhD graduates who couldn’t get a full-time faculty position. Spending 1-2 years as a Postdoc is ok, but any longer than that, you’ll be viewed as a failure in academia and it’ll be more difficult to land a tenured track position from there
not for biology
1-2 years is way below average for mathematics. 3-4 is good; >=6 years is harmful.
"a part-time job for PhD graduates who couldn’t get a full-time faculty position"
Not anymore, at least in the last 20 years. That was the initial idea of the postdoc, but now it's absolutely essential to have a couple of them before being considered for a full-time faculty position. I'm talking from the point of view of Physics/Astronomy.
Won't agree completely. In Physics it is so competitive that post doc has kind of become a requirement for faculty position.
However same does not apply to economics or many humanities fields.