Congratulations!!!!!

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I have experience of the history of science field. Bleak news I am afraid, like in others areas of history there are precious few postdocs. I have seen two history of science postdocs advertised in the space of a few months, and been rejected from both. You might have some success developing a postdoc application with an institution (approach them, somewhere like CHSTM Manchester, or the Wellcome insitutes at UCL etc) and seek to put a funding proposal with them via the Leverhulme or Wellcome Trust, or AHRC. It seems to me that if you could decide what aspects of pharmacy and history you would want to do, you stand a strong chance of developing a strong proposal to get W or L money. Esp. given your science background which will be an asset.

Alternatively institutions like the MPIWG in Berlin (Max Planck Institute for the History of Science) also advertise for postdocs as well as accept proposals at anytime for unadvertised funded postdocs of a few months +

On the positive note, historians of science often come from the humanities - and as such with a PhD in Pharmacy you have a background of considerable interest to departments. Also, as there is an interest in histories of phamaraceuticals, neurology, genetics etc as a growing field, it would seem you are looking at the right time... I have met a number of historians of science in their early careers with backgrounds in physics, genetics, psychiatry, and with medical doctorates to it is def a plausible route.

Edit: you might find it useful to email HPS Cambridge (History and Philosophy of Science, Cambridge) and add yourself to their email list. Most, if not all, of the History of Science jobs in UK, Europe, and the wide world are advertised in their emails...

Best of luck.

"2) You're stood at a bus stop in the rain with a crowd of other people. Secretly, you know that you're probably the only one with the title Dr."

That made me laugh! :p Though I too like the idea of being a stealth doctor and getting a strange satisfaction from knowing that!

======= Date Modified 08 25 2010 12:25:30 =======
Well, I am, now offically jobless and without income, needing to get this thesis completed asap because I need to eat next month! Still have so much to do and just cannot will myself to complete. Just want to leave it all behind and run away.

Still, that is not an option. I am going to have to adopt a "it will do" attitude to some of the draft material rather then make it all "perfect".

2 weeks to get done:

-redraft introduction
-redraft conclusion
-redraft half of chapter three
-redraft half of chapter four.

This pot will track my progress, so that in two weeks I can announce that I have handed in the penultimate draft.

Aim for today - complete the introduction.

History. And right now I wish I had never started.

Urgh. I didn't get it.

No advice. Clearly an almost finished PhD, 4 publications, a forthcoming popular article, two excellent scholarships and teaching experience etc isn't enough. FFS.

One piece of advice..well, be absolutely perfect in the interview with no nerves and no pauses or akward answers, because it is a employers market and they can have their pick. And, if you are young and don't have much experience, don't expect to have the job.


Bitter, moi? I'm too tired for that. Off to the temp agency next week. (sprout)

The interview felt okay, but I stumbled badly on the first question and only barely managed to recover! :(

Yay! I have 3 pages and 2 pictures worth of space to do in a national magazine! :)

I willbe sure to mention this in my job interview tmrw!

I did have a cheeky lick or two...

I just blended an advocado to make a skin enriching and brightening mask. (sprout) I can't wait until I finish and turn into a happy and moderately normal looking person again.

I do look awful, I am suprised the boyfriend hasn't said anything.

Why not buy a set of hand dumbells or kettleweights. You could use them at home and get a fairly decent starting 30kg set for 30-40 pounds. You could google or youtube specific exercises using the weights like lifts and squats etc?

Not that I am an expert, but I used my set last year for a few months and it made a real difference, I moved overseas and didn't take them :( But now I am back and have started using them again.

I am off to get a smart haircut and a suit this afternoon...

Congratulations. Fantastic! :) (up)

A suit it is. Wise words. :-)

To an academic interview would would men wear, or should be seen to wear?


I am thinking smart trousers with a shirt, maybe a tie, and nice cardigan. I really can't stand suit jackets - though know that perhaps I should for an interview?

Then again, if they are all wearing suits and I don't, opps. I should get a suit maybe...