======= Date Modified 21 Apr 2011 23:33:04 =======
Hi, everyone! I still have about a year before I finish PhD., and I hope some knowledgeable postdoc can help me with my dilemma.

I moved to Germany from the US in the middle of my PhD. studies to follow my PI. At the time, my boyfriend and I have been dating for almost two years, and intensely discussed how to make the LDR work. He is currently a first year PhD. student in the same city. Our plan is for me to come back and do a postdoc while he finishes his studies. After that, we are open to possibilities.

The good thing about the city is that it has a number of labs that I might actually be interested in science-wise. However, it is very likely that I might end up in the same institutions as where I got my PhD. (I am still registered under my US university) Some PIs tell me that this is BAD for my career. I justify it to myself with these reasons: 1) I don't want to become a PI. I am more intrigued by the prospect of working for the industry, 2) It's a different lab, and possibly a different institution.

Dear postdocs, would it really be that BAD? I'm open to doing a second postdoc in another city. Thanks for looking and will appreciate any advice.

(P.S. Why don't I make a jump into the industry? Because being a non-US citizen, the easiest way for me to get a job with my qualifications is a postdoc. I still love science anyway, and premature marriage to my American boyfriend is out of the question)