hello, am officially supposed to complete my PhD in 2008 Sept. am wondering when the deadlines for postdocs are. i definitely don't want to be an academic, but i'd like an extra year to publish and then leave if i don't manage to get a job in industry immediately after completion. i've read through info on funding and it looks like we have to apply a whole year before we want to start. at this point, am not ready publications wise to make an application. the ESRC fellowship though says they have sittings in jan, april, july and oct. does that mean i can apply in April next year to start that sept?

For the ESRC you need to submit your completed application at least 16 weeks before the panel meeting (held every three months). You have to go into the July panel to start in October. Also it takes at least two months to complete the application as your mentor needs to write it with you and it is a very long application. So you are best starting as early as possible.

thanks ras!