Anyone done a post doc RA contract - where did you go next?

[was8v]

I'm currently a post-doc research associate in a top ten research led university. All my mates call me an eternal student blah blah and I'm a little concerned about being tarred with the academia brush - people perceive it to be a doss and just like being a student - its not, although the employment is very flexible. There's not really anywhere to progress for more ££££ except taking more responsibility for budgets etc on larger projects (these jobs are pretty rare) or becoming a university lecturer which I really don't fancy at this point in time.

Anyway, I'm just wondering where people have gone after a post doc contract - what line of work are you now in? Especially keen to here experiences of people who have broken away from academia and transferred their skills to other industries. What are employers opinions of people in my position?

[A.Wang]

A friend of mine from my postgrad research days was a post-doc at the university for a couple of years, taking on teaching roles as well as further research for his own papers etc. He had a PhD in high performance computing.

The pay was absolutely insulting for his talent so he decided to pack it all in, found a small hedge fund and the last I heard, he was writing algorithms on their algo-trading engines for a mid 6-figure sum per year.

What was your PhD in? Hedge funds are always looking for the right kind of brilliant minds...

[456mgt]

I did two post-docs then went off to join a startup company when I was 30. This grew in size, we took it public and it was eventually sold to a multinational. The way I looked at it, if the startup went nowhere and ran out of cash, then that was effectively another post doc ie net net there was nothing to lose. As it happened, it went ok and I've not looked back since.

The question is whether or not you're cut out for academia or business. You should know, or get to know, which suits you best, since this governs your path from here. It's interesting that you're getting the 'eternal student' thing; when I went off into industry I got lots of muttering about 'selling out' and 'going to the dark side'. How things change! Nevertheless, fk em.

[baz1985]

A few acquaintances have got lectureships/Civil Service [fast stream]/Local Authority/various thinktanks.

[DangerousMike]

am in same situation, about 1 year post PhD.

I have a good track record, many publications including top journals like Science etc.

I also really like research. I am applying for fellowships etc. and keeping an eye out for any lectureships I see advertised. I couldn't see myself working for a large business (as with many people who have got this far, I am not a fan of rules, regulations, standard procedures... etc.). I could see myself working for a start-up but my experience is in a very specialist field...

It is very hard to escape the feeling of being an eternal student, as you say... one kind of segues from PhD to Postdocism... the roles are pretty similar and you are still working with students, still doing what your P.I. wants... I am desperate for some independence hence the fellowships route.

I also agree that people see it as an easy option - its not. As an example the success rates for the fellowships I am applying for are 5-10%...

[456mgt]

DangerousMike said:

I am not a fan of rules, regulations, standard procedures... etc.). I could see myself working for a start-up but my experience is in a very specialist field...

Just for your information, this is the classic entrepreneur phenotype. This type thrives in startups which always have a good sprinkling of chaos and 'making it up as you go along'. My surrogate marker is the HR person/department; as soon as the company gets large enough to need/want HR, that's my cue to fk off. What I do now is a million miles away from my PhD and post doc work; these taught me basic scientific method and analysis but are no longer relevant to my day to day life.

[dxg]

I stayed at the postdoc RA level for a few years thinking that I would "somehow" be able to forge an academic career using research alone. It (generally) isn't possible. You will eventually have to bite the bullet and start chasing those lecturing posts. Be prepared to relocate - perhaps out of the country if you have the interpretation of Mandelson's latest (applied research is all that matters; if you can't demonstrate business impact you will not get funded; students are service customers; and league tables are king) policy as most of us do...

[DangerousMike]

so how did you get into working for a start-up 456 mgt? how did you find the company?

[was8v]

Great stuff guys thanks for the replies, I have a few ideas of my own re: startup but don't have the balls to go for it alone at the moment.

I too am interested in your story 456mg, mainly because I would like a Ferrari too one day

Edited by was8v on Monday 9th November 14:11

[DangerousMike]

There is a chance that the research I work on will be spun out... but the university is moving very, very slowly... (the IP is already licensed by a multinational...)

[456mgt]

DangerousMike said:

so how did you get into working for a start-up 456 mgt? how did you find the company?

There are multiple ways of getting into startups/small companies. In my case, I saw an ad in the scientific press about a company that was starting up in my neck of the woods and it all went from there. Other, more established ways are in the bar at conferences and talking to VCs; the latter in particular are great sources of information and usually know about what's coming up even if they aren't invested in those companies themselves. Contrary to popular belief, there's no shortage of cash or ideas, it's entrepreneurs that are the limiting factor. Serial entrepreneurs are gold dust.

I feel obliged to put in a health warning though! Most startups go bang, and much as you (I) may hate the notion, luck plays an important part. In startups, I think one of the main challenges is surviving long enough to get lucky.

The other thing is to focus on the business, not how much money you plan on making from it. It's something you should be passionate about, otherwise when the going gets tough, as it inevitably will, you'll give up. You can spot the soldiers of fortune a mile off, and it usually ends badly. If you focus on making the business a success, the rewards will follow.