Dear all,
Hi! I’m in a very sensitive condition and I need your comments and recommendations. I’ll defend my PhD dissertation, next week. I’m planning for a postdoc and I’ve applied for 4 postdoc positions but:
My department (MD): They have talked to me about employment as a faculty member. They’re gonna advertise this job next week. They said I have a good chance but if there be a better candidate, they will employ him/her. They added the procedure would last one to 2 years! So, maybe it be a better idea to stay around in our own department.
University 1 (U1): Rejected my postdoc application. They accepted no candidate.
U2: It’s deadline was 4.5 months ago. I applied via their recruitment system. There’s no news. I emailed the PI. He didn’t reply!
U3: It’s deadline was 1.25 months ago. I applied via their recruitment system. They’re gonna employ a postdoc to collaborate with several PIs. I feel like I have 40% chance. No news, yet!
U4: I had contacted a PI that my CV matched well. He didn’t reply mu mail but advertised a postdoc 1 month later. I resent all application documents. He said he had seen my mail and I’m in his short list. 1.5 months has passed since then. No deadline was announced. I feel I have 60-70% chance.
Us: I was in an overseas university during PhD as a visiting researcher. They know about my defense and mailed me last week to know my plans for my future. I was satisfied with the city, research team and department but I prefer to experience new countries and teams.
Now, what should I do?
Should I ignore postdoc and stay in our department?
Can I hope to get one of U1 to U4 positions? How long should I wait for their final decisions?
Should I return Us (I’ll start a project with them right after graduation distantly, anyway)?
Any other tips and comments?
Thanks in advance for your answers,
Srkz

Better a bird in the hand than two in a bush.