How would a typical academic career in molecular biology look, after finishing the PhD? How difficult is it to get a post-doc position and for how long should you work as such? How long does it take before you can settle down in one place? If someone could give me some idea, I'd be very grateful.

Hi Paul, I am tempted to ask 'how long is a piece of string?'! To attempt to answer your first question (how long to get a post-doc job), this would depend on many factors; how many papers you had produced during your PhD (lots of papers helps your 'employability'), whether you are prepared to move away from your home town or abroad (hence more opportunities for employment), whether your PhD supervisors are willing and able to employ you as a post-doc.

Most people will do a couple of post-doc positions (each 2-3 years duration)before gaining a lectureship but that is a very general statement. Also, lectureships are few and far between, so competition is high. Good luck :o)

Most people in molecular biology will find getting a post-doc fairly straight forward (as long as they don't mind too much where they work). However competition for fellowships or lectureships is intense.