Hey all! Just looking for a bit of advice from those who are used to this job-seeking nightmare!

Basically, I have been aiming to stay on in the same department after my PhD for a number of reasons, and at the moment I am named on one grant application (outcome due in approx 2 months) and am planning to submit another couple. There are also other grant applications that have been submitted that would be of interest if they were successful. But I'm keeping my options open, and last week I applied for a job at a different uni (on the other side of the country). It's my first job application and I really didn't expect anything to come of it, but today I have been informed that I have been offered an interview next week. Okay, so I'm pleased etc, but I'm worried about what would happen if I was offered the job (very big if!)before we found out about the big grant at my present uni? Firstly, it would be a horrible dilemma to choose between a solid offer and a maybe-but-maybe-not situation at my current uni, but if I accepted the job elsewhere, and then the grant at my current uni was successful, would it matter that I was named on it? Could they just advertise for someone else to take the position?

And finally, is it normal to only get a week's notice for an interview?! I feel like there's so much I need to do in so little time, not to mention making up some excuse as to why I'll not be in my office for two days next week!

Thanks! KB

Well done on the interview!!

My advice would be to take the solid job offer. Grant funding rates have really dropped so the odds are not good. You would really kick yourself if you rejected the offer and the grant did not come through. There is nothing to stop you from applying for grants while you did the other postdoc and leave part way through if the funding was accepted, atleast you would be still getting paid.


If your grant was funded they probably would be able to re-advertise it, check the small print though.

Good luck!

Hello Keenbean,

Congratulations for getting the interview!

I think if it were me, I'd wait until I have a solid offer, and take it from there.

After all, academia is not uber-quick, and some decisions can take months. This can buy you time to decide where you really wanna work.

Lots of luck!!!!

Hi Keenbean,

I'd agree with the others - worry about the potential conflict when you have the job offer rather than have it put you off over the next week. there may be other factors to consider such as what you think of the department/job when you visit and find out more about....plus at the moment academic jobs are hard to come by and having something definite lined up would be a good thing. And as somene (sorry can't rmember who) pointed out the decision making can sometimes take a while so you shouldn't have to make a hasty decision even post interview.

Also I was just wondering (feel free not to answer) is the job at a Uni on the south coast? I've just found out about an interview next week and think you are in a similar field! If it's not the same job then yes one weeks notice seems the norm!

Good luck with the interview either way.

Haha, yes it is indeed! Small world! Oh my god, we could be sitting next to each other next week waiting for our interviews lol! That would be so strange. Good luck too- I really didn't even expect an interview so not confident about it. Just really going along for interview experience and hoping it won't be too scary- it will be my first academic interview ever (in fact, it will be my first interview for anything over minimum wage!). I guess I will see you there! KB

Hi KB

I was in a similar situation (except that my sup absolutely encouraged me to go for all jobs) - i was called to an interview in another EU country (!) - I went for it - I got it - my first job app, first interview call and first offer - I took it, and I am off to leave the UK in 3 weeks time.

I so do not regret it! In these times, to have a job before submitting/defending your PhD is true luck, and we should feel very lucky that we got these calls!

Just take it if you want it and they want you!

I would say that in this market if one gets a job offer, you thank the gods -promise them your firstborn - and say YES, YES, YES! :)

Good luck!! :)

Go for it - who knows what might happen in the future unless you've a crystal ball which would be useful! Good luck!