Is anybody here writing their own postdoc grant? I don't mind working under someone else's grant but those are far and few and instead of waiting for something to come along, I would rather write up my own. But I need a postdoc mentor. Does anybody have any tips on how to approach people? I did email some but it seems like, they prefer to hire you in theirs rather then working with you on your choice of topic. Also, they are also choosey and prefer to work with people that they like and it does not always work for me as I seem to not meet their desired criterias even if I meet their essential ones. After all, it's a partnership and good to work with people that like you. So, how do I make a first good impression that I can be reliable to work with and my project is interesting? UK is a whole different game and I don't mind moving to US but there only those profs who are about to become emeritus work on such projects and they have to be pretty reputable. Currently, the ones I am looking at are quite still young and do not qualify to take up independent projects. The only option is the UK at the moment where if they really like you, they will put a proposal with you but what I lack is that convincing language to appeal these people. We had a successful BA written under this arrangement but that worked because they were almost working on the same topic and made a convincing project and they really get along. in my case, it's difficult to like me. I am not a big fan of the bureaucracy and rules. I am difficult to like that is why my one also got delayed and I don't expect to share very good vibe with supervisors. I pretty much was on my own thought out PhD. But, now I need a job which is really tough as it becomes personal in addition to being academic.

I haven't written my own grant but I know a few people that have.

Generally they found people to sponsor them through their network - they were people their supervisors knew, or they met them at conferences, or they were working in very similar fields so had read each other's work.

To get the grant funded you are going to have to either be an expert in your field, or be working with one. There is also going to need to be some kind of good reason you are choosing to work in that particular lab and with that particular supervisor ie skills or equipment. If it's your first postdoc you are also going to need a couple of high impact papers and research that is a bit cutting edge and with a decent chance of providing an impact.

If, as you say, it is difficult to like you, then it's going to be harder for you. People want to work with people they get along with. Maybe tone down whatever you think people don't like? Put on a different face when you're at work? Not fun, but people do it all the time. If you want a job you are going to have to make people like you, even if it is a fake you.

For me, I expect to get on with my supervisors, it makes work so much more enjoyable. But, you can't force it. I didn't like one of my supervisors from day 1, and it's never changed and it makes it harder. If I had had choices I wouldn't have chosen to work with this person but it was my only option. On the other hand, two of my supervisors I get on brilliantly with, hence they throw opportunities my way so we all benefit.