Greetings everyone,
I have been lurking around this forum for awhile. I have created an account few hours ago.
Here is my story, I am in the final stages of ph.d (half through my thesis). I will graduate in few months. I am from Asia. I am pursuing ph.d in an European country. My ph.d is in the field of engineering.
Regarding publication, I have only 2 journal articles (co authored) so far. They are my work, but somehow I was hindered to write those articles. Besides them, one more article (as first author) is under review after major revision. There are five more conference articles. I am very well aware that my publication output is not enough! I hope that I would be able to write one more article after submitting my thesis.
I have been contacting other research groups for the post doc fellowship. I have sent 45 emails so far. But no positive reply yet.
My research field is growing and gained a lot attention recently. But still I did not get any positive reply.
If I do not get any post doc positions/jobs in western countries, I am thinking of going back home and start academic teaching there. The only drawback with this decision is, I can not enter into the top ranking institutions in my home country, since my publication output is low!
I was hoping that if I get a post doc position, I could publish more!
I am frustrated. I am already 34 years old. Sometimes I think why did I choose this path?
suggestions are welcome.
Thank you very much in advance.

Engineering and nat sciences are very different from my field (social sciences). In general, irrespective of your field, you cannot get a postdoc without having AT LEAST one publication out in a good, peer-reviewed international journal in your field (preferably not co-authored). I have already finished my PhD but I also have only one publication out, and have submitted a 2nd one to another journal. I know how hard it is to get accepted two of my papers have already been rejected.
There are no easy answers: at the moment, I am simply content with having finished my PhD, I am getting part-time teaching experience both at university and high-school level, and am working on two other publications as well as applying for fellowships and jobs. Have you considered getting in touch with academics at your home country to engage in research with them? That could lead to the creation of a post-doc fellowship role which you could fill.
I wouldn't worry so much about not having enough publications you still haven't finished your PhD- do your best but also perhaps get some teaching experience as that's vital if teaching is your ultimate target.

Don't worry too much about not having a publication. Seeing as you are a woman in engineering I would urge you to contact universities in the UK because we have an excellent support network for women wanting to develop careers in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Just ask for the Athena Swan coordinator (or ask for the Equality and Diversity Team) at the university that you want to go to and find out the various ways in which they can help you.

Good luck!

I'm a former Science / Engineering PhD. In my case, I obtained my first post-doc at the Uni. where I did my PhD.

At the time I passed viva, there were two papers being refereed where I was listed as a co-author. This was not the best of situations, however, as I was being kept on by my department it didn't matter so much as there was a ready made project lined up for me.

I produced another three papers during this post-doc based upon my PhD data, which I placed on my CV to apply for a second post-doc at another Uni. However, given the nature of the project at the second Uni. my work was not that relevant to the new project and I feel perhaps the extra publications although they looked good did not help.

In a science and engineering PhD, although a target of three is normally set one or two publications is normal. Of the people I know, most only managed one journal publication during their PhD and my direct predecessor didn't manage any. All managed to find post-docs, my predecessor again at the same Uni as his (and my) PhD.

I think the way round your problem is to say on your CV that you have journal publications pending and be able to produce proof you are doing something if asked to do so at interview. As long as there is a genuine intent to produce these papers, even if they don't come to print (people's priorities, direction and jobs change) then this shows willing on your CV and in interview with prospective academic employers.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Thank you very much for the responses.
First of all, I am a guy! I chose this username in order to be discreet in this forum.

@Incognito, I used to teach at an engineering college, before starting my ph.d. I guess I could go back and start teaching. The problem is doing research there. Research is not carried out there like in western countries, unless it is a top ranking university.

@Ian, I am working at a research center and ph.d advisor is at university. Post docs at research center manipulated too much. I tried to do my best. But due to the complications, my immediate adviser at university and post docs at research center had misunderstandings. I started to follow the guidance of my adviser at university and this made the post docs go mad at me also!
I do not think that I will be given a post doc at university after finishing ph.d. The chances are very slim.
I started to apply few months early, because I can not stay long in Europe after my final defense. I do not have much money to stay!
I have contacted more than 10 groups in UK alone. Three professors already said they do not have any opening in their groups.
I am a type of guy, who works hard and an organized way.
I am also thinking of contacting other research groups that are little bit out of my research area.
I always think, what is wrong with me? why it is so difficult!