Hi all,
I'm currently working in a research institute in the UK (but employed in a non-research role). I would like to get back to full-time research (with or without teaching - but not a teaching-focused role), preferably in the UK, if not Europe.
The role I am in is good but feels like there is no chance of progression or a career development path.
The issues I am facing are:
1) the possibility to work in slightly different fields than my PhD (which was on distributed computing for molecular biology) - my undergrad/masters was in Pharmacy/Chemistry with a hard-core Chemistry dissertation. I am particularly interested in in-silico drug discovery as it was something I employed in my masters, but has come a long way since then (2011), and also I have much more experience in distributed computing now that I could apply to that area. What will a potential supervisor look for in this case, i.e. from someone who didn't specifically do a PhD in this area. Chemistry is also an interest, but I guess I'd be at a disadvantage for not knowing the lab protocols by heart as compared to someone who used specific techniques during their PhD (though I am confident I could do whatever is required as I have publications in Chemistry and Computer Science).
ii) what sort of things make a post-doc application stand out positively, I mean does anyone have any suggestions on how to be successful in this regard.
I did secure a post-doc from a famous professor at my university, from him knowing me and inviting me to apply to be interviewed. This was just as I was completing my PhD. However, I had some corrections which meant I couldn't do both and had to focus on the corrections (as the post-doc had tight deadlines) and therefore I couldn't start it.
Thanks for suggestions!
Have you tried networking. Like reach out to that famous professor or your old supervisor for a coffee and talk about possible job opportunities. The number of post-docs I know that got recommended for their job is kinda crazy. If you tell some connected people in your research department that you are looking for X or Y, they might be able to recommend you to someone at a conference or collaborator. It is a long shot but you might get lucky
That's a great suggestion, i sort of had something like that in the back of my mind but it didn't quite click, lol. Thanks rewt :-)
Totally agree with Rewt! That famous professor wanted you as a post doc then so he will want you now - or be willing to recommend you. And that carries more weight than any personal statement or anything! I have a postdoc through knowing someone I met at a conference! Good luck Jamie! Your plans sound exciting!
PostgraduateForum Is a trading name of FindAUniversity Ltd
FindAUniversity Ltd, 77 Sidney St, Sheffield, S1 4RG, UK. Tel +44 (0) 114 268 4940 Fax: +44 (0) 114 268 5766
An active and supportive community.
Support and advice from your peers.
Your postgraduate questions answered.
Use your experience to help others.
Enter your email address below to get started with your forum account
Enter your username below to login to your account
An email has been sent to your email account along with instructions on how to reset your password. If you do not recieve your email, or have any futher problems accessing your account, then please contact our customer support.
or continue as guest
To ensure all features on our website work properly, your computer, tablet or mobile needs to accept cookies. Our cookies don’t store your personal information, but provide us with anonymous information about use of the website and help us recognise you so we can offer you services more relevant to you. For more information please read our privacy policy
Agree Agree