Guardian Leaving Academia article
I can related to that article from different perspectives in both my post-docs.
In the first, I was treat okay and worked with some decent people although the wages were poor. That was a big help during "year four" write-up and I was able to do a lot with that post-doc including some interesting student supervision work.
In the second, I actually got a decent wodge of cash, but the working conditions were not the best in the world. I remember discussions with my family as to why I had to nip in on a weekend. Also, a stranger and his girlfriend on a bus I got talking to bluntly said he thought my boss was a p**ck for forcing me to go in. He said he could be asked to to overtime in his job, but he could opt to say no and it was a Sunday so no it was.
During the second, it was clear if you were not in his inner circle, your welfare was of secondary concern to the experimental programme. There were also less opportunities to do things slightly extra curricular (i.e. student supervision). I was used as a dogsbody and little more.
I miss the research, but some of the more unsociable aspects I'm glad to leave behind.
Ian
A few observations:
1. The author of the article states they never wanted to be an academic...that's half the motivation for doing a postdoc go through the window right there.
2. I'm sorry but if attending to emails between 7pm and 9pm is too much for you, you are in the wrong field. The author also says it clashed with courses they were taking twice a week. Excuse me but anyone with semi-decent organizational skills can work around that.
3. Most importantly and I quote "I will take my resumé to pubs and coffee shops. I just want to find a job now that will give me time to relax, focus on my hobbies and find what I want to do with the rest of my life."
Again you are in the wrong field, because if you want to relax, and focus on hobbies, don't take a postdoc....or any demanding job for that matter. You don't know what you want out of life? Don't take a postdoc.
Moral of the story: Yes the statistics for becoming a full time academic are daunting, and a postdoc is a rite of passage. Accept that. But most of all, don't make a bad professional decision (based on the author's priorities), and then write a bitter article because you are upset you made a bad professional decision. I am sure there are plenty jobs for hardcore science people in industry.
I understand what you are saying and I expect a heavy workload during post-doc (i.e. rite-of-passage), but you also have the right to be treat as a human being and not just another piece of lab equipment. If the author has had a horror post-doc, then it's no wonder she needs time to take stock.
I had a stinker second post-doc where I was literally treat as another piece of (disposable) lab equipment.
Ian
