The 'lost month' and a big change...

Apologies for the lack of updates around here lately, but in all honesty, the past few months have been some of the most difficult periods I've had in recent memory. It's unlikely that anyone would argue that postdocing isn't a tough business. Many of the postdocs that I know tend to work hours that probably stretch the limit of what reasonable people would consider having any kind of life beyond work. Consequently when, as a postdoc, I say that I've been busy, I mean that I've been really busy.

The major cause of my busyness is that I agreed to contribute a short chapter to an upcoming collected volume on various evolutionary topics. It's obviously an excellent career-building opportunity as well as a chance to produce a professional piece of writing as a sole author. However, it was not part of my 'primary research', so I worked on it during my free time. I'm a little worried that given little time I've had to devote to it lately, it's not going to be up to my typical standards. At least I'll get some reviewer feedback along with the opportunity to make modifications before the final copy goes through.

Another component to my general busyness is a bit more major: After two years of working my ass off, I've decided to leave my current postdoc and continue my career-building elsewhere. Obviously the specific details as to why I've come to my decision are best kept between myself, my PI, and potential future employers, but I can say that this decision wasn't reached lightly. I struggled with whether my current lab was suiting my objectives, and after much deliberation and discussion, I came to the conclusion that it was not. This is a really tough, often stressful, and underpaid job - the absolute minimum one can expect is to actually enjoy what you're doing.

Thus, I am now on the market for a new position. 

One of the major 'stressors' for me in terms of reaching this decision had to do with the strange predicament in which we postdocs find ourselves. There are many of us, many of which are very, very talented. Every time there's an opening for an academic position somewhere, the number of applicants can often be staggering. It's tough enough to compete for a job in the field without the stain of having left a postdoc - especially while you were externally funded.

Honestly, I was so discouraged by the situation that I figured that my only recourse would be to 'bow out' of academia and look for a career in industry. There's nothing wrong with working in industry, of course, but I'd be lying if I said that my dream wasn't to have my own lab some day. Thankfully(?) some encouragement from former mentors and advisors have led me to believe that my chances at having a successful career have not been obliterated by this unfortunate event. My only hope is that I leave my lab on amicable terms, which seems to be the case, for which I'm grateful. 

Oh well, I'm extremely excited by the prospect of moving to a new lab where I can work on a project of my own in a field that I love so stay tuned1.

1My plan is to keep up with regular blogging moving forward, no matter what the future holds!

P.S. As a sign, I saw an awesome 'double rainbow' last week: Perhaps fate (which I don't believe in) is telling me to 'hang in there!'

Comments

[Darrell]

Hey,
Too bad man... I wish you luck in searching for the next position - have you thought of Australia? They actually pay a decent wage (up to 2x+ what you'd get in Canada) - at least in the medical research sciences, not sure about evol biol. What is your goal direction?

Good luck!
Darrell

[Psi Wavefunction]

Sorry to hear things didn't work out in your current lab, but best of luck with the new opportunities! I'm trying not to think about the ever-intensifying competition down the road, since I can't even manage to sneak my way into grad school yet (not for a shortage of labs that wouldn't mind having me, but my GPA fucks everything up on the admissions level). It's a bit unnerving that I'm moving *somewhere* in two months and I have not a slightest clue where, or what I'll be doing. Academic job hunting is indeed so stressful, especially when you don't have any postgraduate degrees... also wonder whether it's worth it, but luckily for my scientific ambitions, there's nothing else I can do in life so the decision has been made and kept. Can imagine there being even more questions in your case though, where you're actually qualified to work in the industry, and have many more options to negotiate. Which is a good thing.

Anyway, good luck with your job hunt! Keep us updated ;-)