53 replies to this topic

[toejam]

perlmunky, on Jul 7 2009, 06:36 PM, said:

you can't be a postdoc forever

can't you?? i've seen some quite old postdocs....

[pito]

perlmunky, on Jul 7 2009, 07:36 PM, said:

It would be nice to do something I enjoy and get paid well for it, until that happens I am happy to be in science (but you can't be a postdoc forever).

Silly question and it has most likely to do with semantics but what do you mean with you cant be a post doc forever? Once you got your phd, you are always doing a post doc ..? or ? Or you simply mean you cant to research for ever?

[casandra]

pito, on Jul 7 2009, 02:23 PM, said:

perlmunky, on Jul 7 2009, 07:36 PM, said:

It would be nice to do something I enjoy and get paid well for it, until that happens I am happy to be in science (but you can't be a postdoc forever).

Silly question and it has most likely to do with semantics but what do you mean with you cant be a post doc forever? Once you got your phd, you are always doing a post doc ..? or ? Or you simply mean you cant to research for ever?

it's a transitional stage from being a student to being a productive and tax-paying member of the society.. ..not exactly semantics bec the position entails different responsiblities, rights and priveleges...they're trying to limit tho the maximum time a post doc can serve out this "sentence"...after 5 years (am not sure in the States), the postdoc has to be offered/can apply for either a research associate or faculty position.....this then is real gainful employment...

Edited by casandra, 07 July 2009 - 01:34 PM.

[DELETEMYACCOUNTPLEASE]

The idea being that you get your own lab ... with your own phd students and postdocs.  In the UK it is generally accepted that you do 2-3 postdocs, after that you start applying for you own funding.  I have been told it becomes increasingly difficult to get postdoc positions after that.

Your other 'option' is to GTFO (google it) ...

[casandra]

perlmunky, on Jul 7 2009, 05:10 PM, said:

The idea being that you get your own lab ... with your own phd students and postdocs.  In the UK it is generally accepted that you do 2-3 postdocs, after that you start applying for you own funding.  I have been told it becomes increasingly difficult to get postdoc positions after that.

Your other 'option' is to GTFO (google it) ...

Hi perlmunk, but is this an academic/faculty appointment or what? How do you get your own lab if you're not appointed by a university or an institution? So you don't have the research associate position?

Edited by casandra, 07 July 2009 - 01:15 PM.

[DELETEMYACCOUNTPLEASE]

casandra, on Jul 7 2009, 02:14 PM, said:

perlmunky, on Jul 7 2009, 05:10 PM, said:

The idea being that you get your own lab ... with your own phd students and postdocs.  In the UK it is generally accepted that you do 2-3 postdocs, after that you start applying for you own funding.  I have been told it becomes increasingly difficult to get postdoc positions after that.

Your other 'option' is to GTFO (google it) ...

Hi perlmunk, but is this an academic/faculty appointment or what? How do you get your own lab if you're not appointed by a university or an institution? So you don't have the research associate position?

It's funny here, some research associates are nothing more than glorified postdocs - my girlfriend has such a position.  Even a positions within universities aren't secure - basically it's complicated, I need a cup of tea and can't be arsed to convert my thoughts into key strokes.

[casandra]

perlmunky, on Jul 7 2009, 05:24 PM, said:

casandra, on Jul 7 2009, 02:14 PM, said:

perlmunky, on Jul 7 2009, 05:10 PM, said:

The idea being that you get your own lab ... with your own phd students and postdocs.  In the UK it is generally accepted that you do 2-3 postdocs, after that you start applying for you own funding.  I have been told it becomes increasingly difficult to get postdoc positions after that.

Your other 'option' is to GTFO (google it) ...

Hi perlmunk, but is this an academic/faculty appointment or what? How do you get your own lab if you're not appointed by a university or an institution? So you don't have the research associate position?

It's funny here, some research associates are nothing more than glorified postdocs - my girlfriend has such a position.  Even a positions within universities aren't secure - basically it's complicated, I need a cup of tea and can't be arsed to convert my thoughts into key strokes.

so I guess it's the same thing ...nothing's permanent these days anyways..even a faculty position, unless one's already tenured..most research positions are dependent on grants so that adds to job insecurities...go get a cup of tea so you'd feel better ...and don't forget-  you're still a postdoc ...

[cellcounter]

I do it with a passion, although I must admit that it waxes and wanes according to success of the experiments. At times it does feel like a job, but mostly I think I am passionate about my work.

[casandra]

Hi cellcounter...but what else would you be doing it for (or with   )..there aren't a lot of perks in this profession..probably only the satisfaction that you feel when you're finally getting results or solving a problem, or confirming a hypothesis...this shld be another thread....

[DELETEMYACCOUNTPLEASE]

Solving a problem is SO satisfying.

[cellcounter]

casandra, on Jul 7 2009, 01:44 PM, said:

Hi cellcounter...but what else would you be doing it for (or with   )..there aren't a lot of perks in this profession..probably only the satisfaction that you feel when you're finally getting results or solving a problem, or confirming a hypothesis...this shld be another thread....

Solving a problem is a big perk, in an intellectual sense, but working on something that is complex, that requires all good attributes of mind, knowledge, and personality; which is regarded well by others, and is advancing the human knowledge, leading to cures and better life is not insignificant! The monetary gains are less and financial insecurity high, but not too less or too high as compared to many other vocations. If you are given to a comparison with MDs or CEOs, sure, you would be dissatisfied, but then that is the choice you make.

[casandra]

cellcounter, on Jul 8 2009, 11:38 AM, said:

casandra, on Jul 7 2009, 01:44 PM, said:

Hi cellcounter...but what else would you be doing it for (or with   )..there aren't a lot of perks in this profession..probably only the satisfaction that you feel when you're finally getting results or solving a problem, or confirming a hypothesis...this shld be another thread....

Solving a problem is a big perk, in an intellectual sense, but working on something that is complex, that requires all good attributes of mind, knowledge, and personality; which is regarded well by others, and is advancing the human knowledge, leading to cures and better life is not insignificant! The monetary gains are less and financial insecurity high, but not too less or too high as compared to many other vocations. If you are given to a comparison with MDs or CEOs, sure, you would be dissatisfied, but then that is the choice you make.

oh, but this is the idealistic way of looking at it, thanks cellcounter ...."all good attributes of mind, knowledge and personality"..I like this.....we always seem to have this stereotype of brainy nerds locked in the ivory tower (if not, the  evil/deranged madmen out to wreak havoc in the world) and trying to achieve this altruistic goal of advancing knowledge for the good of society is more than enough a trade-off, I guess,  for less money and finacial security...and I always thought that you're pretty jaded  

[Doki]

I am into science because I can't do anything else. Otherwise, I prefer art better; but to be an artists, there are things U should be born with (talents or super-famous family). I don't have skills to please people or the crowd. I would better be a rock star than a scientists. The closest thing I do to art is taking pictures and that also is horrible.

I have more passion for delivering and improving what already exists than finding new things. The present condition of my country and so many underdeveloped countries (health-wise) always puts pressure on my mind. I should be there improving the policies that will work better and be more efficient at delivering the care people deserve. In other words, more interested in policy-making and politics which is far from what I do.

I want to do either of the 2 things - that affects lives of millions or brings me money in millions. (I have neither)

[casandra]

Nabi, on Jul 8 2009, 09:53 PM, said:

The closest thing I do to art is taking pictures and that also is horrible.

Yeah, I've seen your pictures BB ..they're indeed horrible..

Quote

I have more passion for delivering and improving what already exists than finding new things. The present condition of my country and so many underdeveloped countries (health-wise) always puts pressure on my mind. I should be there improving the policies that will work better and be more efficient at delivering the care people deserve. In other words, more interested in policy-making and politics which is far from what I do.

I want to do either of the 2 things - that affects lives of millions or brings me money in millions. (I have neither)

But if you're more interested in politics and policy-making, why are you doing a PhD in biomedical(?) science? Is it because  you need a PhD dgree to get to a high administrative position in the health ministry..is this what you meant?

[Doki]

casandra, on Jul 9 2009, 01:01 PM, said:

Nabi, on Jul 8 2009, 09:53 PM, said:

The closest thing I do to art is taking pictures and that also is horrible.

Yeah, I've seen your pictures BB ..they're indeed horrible..

Did U really have to say that?

casandra, on Jul 9 2009, 01:01 PM, said:

But if you're more interested in politics and policy-making, why are you doing a PhD in biomedical(?) science?

Nabi, on Jul 9 2009, 10:53 AM, said:

I am into science because I can't do anything else.