======= Date Modified 24 20 2010 09:20:35 =======
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Im confused as to the best course of action hope people have good advice.

Im just finishing my PhD and have a molecular biology postdoc lined upin the states. However I'm having second thoughts! I'm usually a prettyrational person but recently ive been having a general 'feeling' thatits the wrong move, especially so now im being asked to commit.

On the plus side the job would:
- be good for my CV
- be an excellent life experience
- Might possibly give me a spring board for a 'real' job

On the negative side:
- The research theme is interesting but not my passion
- I don't want to stay in the US longterm and think 3-4 years would be too long
- I don't think i will stay in Academia long term
- i would still be writing my thesis and papers in the US

My lack of enthusiasm is worrying me, especially as i think its been a common theme in all my success in life. Most of my friends are telling me I'd be stupid to throw away an amazing opportunity, but each time Ihear that comment i feel even more wrong. Should I be uprooting across the world if im not 100% sure?

Ive been told that a grant is coming though in one month in another labat my institution. It seems amazing (I have a passion for it) and isthe best possible follow on from my work while still being different. On the downside theres a chance it will not be accepted and I'm notguaranteed to get it. I think its got a good chance (hot PI, hot field,hot methods) though but who knows?


Of course i could hedge my bets by accepting and then waiting to see ifi got this new one and then pulling out a month or two before i was dueto start if i got the new one or I turned 100% agaisnt the US postdoc.This would be dishonest but I feel it would not negativity affect my standing.

Sorry for the long winded question, looking for opinions?

Octupus77, here's what I think. Take up the post-doc in the US. It's a completely new experience in a completely different country - and you only live once. Think of the new people you would meet, the new experiences you would have. To me, work is work. Yes, you need to be passionate about it, but other things are important to - like your happiness. Do you want to stick at the same institution you're at now, with essentially the same life (maybe slightly shorter hours and a bit more stress free) - or do you want a completely new experience, around a completely new group of people with possibly different, exciting opportunities? It's up to you - but I know where I'd go if it was me. I suppose it also depends on what commitments you have in the UK - partner, family and so on. But if you have none of that? And if you think you can do the work? What's stopping you?

======= Date Modified 24 Feb 2010 02:18:07 =======

I think Wally is right that there's every reason to go forth and explore at this stage of your life - how much of these doubts are just nerves? Also, while you are uprooting across the world, you can always come back! Few decisions are irreversable and you can leave after six months if it really isn't for you (apart from anything, my understanding is that you get two years tax-free as a postdoc in the US, but pay it all in retrospect if you stay longer, so staying 3-4 years is a decision in itself) so no, you don't need to be 100% sure. I went abroad for a year post-degree and it was really worthwhile. While I found the separation from my partner hard and the work wasn't as expected, I still made great friends and am glad I had the life experience. Ask yourself whether these doubts are really red flags or whether they're just fear. If you felt this way before (say prior to phd or other life committments) then take them with a pinch of salt.

I admit, I too have heard horror stories about US post-docs, especially in this field and it puts me off looking there. Writing up whilst committing to their work expectations could be a real challenge. Why not just keep your options open and see if this dream postdoc at your institute comes off, then decide? No, it's not the best behaviour, but if things changed for the american employers I'm guessing they wouldn't lie awake at night over letting you down. And have a think about your career ambitions, do you know what you want to do instead of academia? What post would best align with those plans?

And my 2p (or cents!) worth - I'm a big believer in gut feelings. I trust my instincts and have done OK, and when I haven't, I've regretted the decisions I've made. So, if you feel that it's not right for you, if deep down this is what you're feeling, if I was you I'd go with that instinct and not go to the US. Yes, it would be an amazing experience, look good on the cv etc, but there are obviously real reasons why you're thinking you shouldn't do this. Sometimes you have to take chances, and wait and see what else happens. A hard decision for you...

Hi Octopus,

I guess I could say I'm in a similar situation, and for what it's worth I tend to think like Sue's posted below. I have a strange sense/feeling about things in life and choices to make, and my family always told me that this is a wonderful gift that I should always trust.

Basically, I completely finished my PhD last year and have been looking for work since. I'm also not really interested in staying in academia, so most of the jobs I've been applying for are in companies/industries etc. (I'm also molecular biology/biochemistry!) Anyway, a small private company quite far away from me accepted me to work for them last month... I had the same awful choice to make as you, and I went round and asked my family and friends for advice. On one hand, this job was: in a lovely, quite famous location; great for my CV; good long-term future; opportunity to use my skills and learn new ones; opportunities for good research. But on the other hand: company very small; salary rather low for a PhD; employers not native and therefore difficult to talk with and very slow; huge pressure and responsibility on me if I took the post, right from day 1; would mean a hard move (relocation) for my wife and I if I accepted.

As you can guess, I had 'fors' and 'againsts' from family/friends. In the end, I went with my own gut feeling and turned it down because I think I can do better! Why devote to such a huge move and pressure, when I wouldn't have been happy, comfortable or had enough people to help/guide me. That was my choice, and my wife was with me 100%.

Yes, I'm still looking for work now, but I don't regret my decision. There are still some good jobs/posts out there if you keep looking. I've had some positive feedback recently about a role I'd love... fingers crossed! Also waiting for many more in the next few days/weeks to come.

Moral of my story...? Not sure, but I guess what it all means is that it's YOUR CHOICE, and you should go with your strongest feelings and choose what's right/best for you (and your family if applicable). Best of luck to you whatever you choose.

Hi all.
Same problems here. I've just finished all the experimental part of my PhD and I'm about to write up. I'm Italian and doing the PhD in UK. So I've been having an experience in a foreign country and I have to say it made me grow up as a person.
I had a look at the PostDoc positions available and most of them are US based. Now, I'm still young (well, 30 by the time I'll finish) and I want to travel the world as much as I can to gain experience and see how people/scientists approach the discipline in different countries, but... I heard and still hear about tragic PostDoc adventures in the US. Professors/bosses that treat you like a slave (I'm not joking, you have to mop the floor as well or drive them home), high pressure on publications (just publish, it doesn't matter whether your results are WOW or just fine), no free time and so on. On the other side, if I want to stay in the academia -and I want to- I can't go back to Italy (MAFIA) and I don't like the UK system either. The alternative would be finding a PostDoc position in Europe. But, the requirements are simply I M P O S S I B L E to meet. They usually ask you 4-5 years of experience... and the only way to have that experience is going to US :-(
It's a vicious circle!