Category Archives: finishing postdoctoral training

Unpaid Work

Posted on June 25, 2018 by SweetScience

It’s summer! I can hardly believe it – for the first time in 20 years I have an actual summer vacation with no job to do, until I teach again this fall! Only… that’s not really true at all. I … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, early career scientist, efficiency, finishing postdoctoral training, flexibility, new job, publishing, research, teaching, time management, trying to please others, work-life balance | 1 Comment

What scientists inspire you?

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Megan

I’m trying to make the difficult transition out of postdoc-dom into a more permanent position. It’s been hard, full of rejection and difficult personal and professional negotiations, and my future is still very uncertain. During this time, I’ve been thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, broken dreams, early career scientist, finishing postdoctoral training, job search, Leaving Academia, role models | 6 Comments

The hardest semester of my life

Posted on November 30, 2017 by SweetScience

Don’t worry, this post isn’t a complaint. I had the hardest semester of my life but I got something great out of it. I started a new job this fall – one of my top-choice careers, at one of my … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, alternative career, confidence, dream job, early career scientist, education, finishing postdoctoral training, flexibility, gratitude, happiness, Illness, letting go, new job, no regrets, part time work, strengths and weaknesses, teaching, transitions, uncertainty | 2 Comments

Writing your own letter of recommendation

Posted on August 23, 2017 by SweetScience

In response to a recent post, a reader asked for advice on writing a letter of recommendation – specifically for oneself! Yes, for better or worse, “minor fraud” and ethics aside for this post, this is very common and important … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, bosses, finishing postdoctoral training, graduate school, job search, mentoring, postdoc, professional, research, strengths and weaknesses, support, uncertainty | 1 Comment

Feedback on job applications

Posted on July 17, 2017 by SweetScience

My partner and I applied separately for a number of Assistant Professor positions last year. We both had varying degrees of success at different institutions that really showed us where we stood in terms of what kinds of institutions were … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, early career scientist, finishing postdoctoral training, gratitude, Interview, job search, lack of jobs, mentoring, postdoc, strengths and weaknesses, support | 1 Comment

I have to pay back what?!

Posted on January 23, 2017 by SweetScience

As if it isn’t difficult enough to be in your mid-thirties starting a family while living on a postdoc salary and waiting to move yet again before finally getting a “real” job, some of us also have to worry about … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, finishing postdoctoral training, funding, money, postdoc, transitions | 4 Comments

Last Day of School.

Posted on June 10, 2015 by saraswatiphd

I am in lab. Today is my last day here. My last day as a postdoc. I inhale deeply. With my eyes closed. I focus on the sounds around me. Two days ago, I started my seventh year in this … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, fague, finishing postdoctoral training, insomnia, last day of school, new job, perfectionism, postdoc, twins, uncertainty | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments