4 replies to this topic

[Minnie Mouse]

Is it good idea to ask for a 3 year self-funded post-doc position?
or
Ask for 1 year self-funded post-doc postion and willing to pay for the training cost?
(I probably need to get a personal loan to pay for it. )

I haven't officially apply for job yet because my current mentor told me that I need to complete 95% of the PhD thesis before applying for job.

In the past few months, I am just asking around to see whether PI will take me as a self-funded post-doc.
In other words, bypassing my current mentor.  
But I haven't been successful in securing a self-funded post-doc position for 1 year.  
I can only get a 3 months volunteer technician.      

mdfenko had mentioned the reason why PI may not want a self-funded post-doc for 1 year... that is why I am thinking of doing self-funded post-doc for 3 year.

mdfenko, on Jan 30 2009, 06:32 AM, said:

yes, i think the recession affects jobs in research. pharma is laying off and grants are more difficult to obtain. government jobs are frozen or being reduced. schools are getting reduced funding.

although you would think that any pi would take a self-funded postdoc you have to realize that there are other expenses than salary. supplies are required, with a certain amount of expected waste, when training someone. the pis may think that one year is not worth the investment and they can't afford to extend your stay.

[perneseblue]

I am against the idea.
How will you support yourself? It sounds dreadfully horrible that you are working without pay.

If you are near completing your PhD, is it not possible to say in your cover letter. "I am near completing my thesis and expected to submit by x month."

[gebirgsziege]

perneseblue, on Mar 26 2009, 01:05 AM, said:

If you are near completing your PhD, is it not possible to say in your cover letter. "I am near completing my thesis and expected to submit by x month."

I think it is possible to mention that you are to finish you PhD in a cover letter....at least if you can tell when you submit your thesis and know when you know when the final examination will take place. Here more or less fix the day of the exame when you submit your thesis....

@ Minnie: Why do you not try to get a "real" PostDoc position? Or try to get some kind of scholarship for your work. At least here in europe there are several possibilities to get some funding for yourself and your work (e.g. EMBO).
But I would never take a loan to get a self funded PostDoc......I think you will be not taken serious in the lab if you do this. And you could get in a bad situation as this could put a lot of pressure on other people in the lab who feel forced to invest their own money into keeping their job.....

[Minnie Mouse]

gebirgsziege, on Mar 26 2009, 12:55 AM, said:

Why do you not try to get a "real" PostDoc position? Or try to get some kind of scholarship for your work. At least here in europe there are several possibilities to get some funding for yourself and your work (e.g. EMBO).
But I would never take a loan to get a self funded PostDoc......I think you will be not taken serious in the lab if you do this. And you could get in a bad situation as this could put a lot of pressure on other people in the lab who feel forced to invest their own money into keeping their job.....

Thank you for the link. I may apply for the fellowship.

Because of global recession, it is very difficult to find a "real" job.

My cousin told me that many people are now working unpaid.
He had suggested me to look for unpaid job.

[avalon68]

Im not sure why you would do a self funded post doc??? There really is not a huge shortage in science post doc positions, even in this economic climate.  Most countries (?) have ringfenced money for research. Have a look on jobs.ac.uk, or naturejobs.com.......there are hundreds of positions in europe at least, and lots for the USA too.  Would it not be preferable to move to a new location for a post doc rather than get into massive debt? Once youre PhD is complete, you are a an expert in your field and should be treated as such ie paid