Overview of Octopus77 on PostgraduateForum.com

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Signup date: 24 Feb 2010 at 1:32am

Last login: 24 Feb 2010 at 1:32am

Post count: 4

Octopus77 4 posts
14 years ago

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

Quote From walminskipeasucker:

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?

Thanks for the reply. I agree with what your saying and i dont know why I'm feeling this way :$!

I don't have any commitments at the moment but I like my life at the moment. I don't know if the usual US post doc horror stories floating around the department are scaring me (70hr work weeks, dissmised if exp doesnt work ect.). The ex-department-PhD now US postdocs facebook status updates are not helping either, giving me the impression that a US post doc consumes your life even more so than a PhD.

few other negatives i didnt mention:

- the uni, lab and city didnt really impress me

But the PI was amazing.

I guess i feel a bit trapped at the moment, just started to write up.

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Octopus77 4 posts
14 years ago

======= Date Modified 24 20 2010 09:20:35 =======
========== This thread had been moved ==========
============= Edited by a Moderator =============
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?

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