We heard from a number of current or soon-to-be postdocs who graciously shared their wisdom and helped to compile the following list about finding, funding and choosing a postdoc, and about work/life balance once you get a postdoc. Thanks to all who came for a great discussion!
Finding a postdoc
-The #1 answer: Networking!
-Ask professors and current postdocs for suggestions and application examples
-Throughout grad school, go to as many conferences/meetings as possible and make connections...
-Narrowing the search: three main ways to initially pick potential postdoc lab:
(more after the jump)
(more after the jump)
2. a skill you are deficient in that is necessary for your career goals
3. just continue what you're already doing
-Plan ahead; especially in the last 12-18 months of grad school, start talking to potential postdoc PIs. Start by making an initial connection (eg. email before a conference for a meeting or talk to them at conference based on their or your poster/talk), later bring up postdoc
-When you approach potential PIs about postdocs *make sure you can clearly and explicitly explain what you want to work on and why their lab is a good fit for you.*
-Draw from people you've already interacted with or have connections to through advisor
-Don't be afraid to send emails to new people you haven't met
-Be open to new opportunities and listen to other people's suggestions
-Apply, even if it's a long shot!
-Postdoc Ads:
> Chronicle of Higher Education
> Eco-log
> Evo-dir
> Society specific job announcements on websites (eg. ABS)
Funding a postdoc
-Many PIs have no postdoc funding; suggest working on and applying for a grant with them
-Some grants are directed towards people stepping outside of their comfort zones/learning new techniques that diverge from grad work (eg NSF).
-Apply for your own independent funding
-->eg. NSF minority postdoc, international postdoc, field-specific postdoc fellowships
-->eg. NIH NRSA grants
-->eg. University specific grants
-Staying at the same institution you conducted PhD work at can be a deterrent for getting your own funding
Choosing a PI
-Beyond shared scientific interests, also consider:
-->Spouse/geographic considerations
-->Advising style (talk to current grad students/postdocs)
-->Where the PI's past grad students/postdocs have gone (and how this compares to your goals)
-->What the PIs expectations would be for you
-Be upfront with the PI about your ultimate career goals (eg. academics? teaching? research? industry?) and family plans; you don't want an advisor who doesn't support your goals so it's best to be honest, and you will want to pursue different types of postdocs depending on what your goals are.
-Interview with multiple people before deciding
Work/life balance and postdocs
-If you want to have kids before/during your postdoc, it can be good to seek out an advisor that has kids
-Its a very personal decision whether or not to discuss if you're pregnant or planning to have kids; you're not obligated to say anything, but it can be good to be upfront about it so that you know in advance whether the PI will be supportive or not
-Be consistent from the start about how many hours you're willing to put in. Some advisors will be more flexible than others.
-If you plan to have children and go into academics, many suggest that during grad school or the postdoc is the best time to do it
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