Post doc applications

[PsychResearch]

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Hi!

I posted here before and described my less than fortunate experience in my grad program. The good news is that I am almost done and I could potentially defend my dissertation in the Fall and then apply for post docs? My advisor said I should defend in the Spring, but I feel I can pull it off for the Fall if I concetrate on the dissertation and nothing else. I only have an empirical article (under review) and a book chapter. I am wondering if these are enough (assuming the article will get published) to get me the foot in the door and hopefully interviews. My supervisor suggested that I apply next year after I defend (in the Spring as suggested). However, I am concerned that if I apply in the Spring there wouldn't be many positions to apply for since they are usually posted in the fall to begin the following fall. Is this information accurate? I would like to apply for a research post doc. I am currently in a Developmental program but the work we do is clinical (working on a treatment grant).

Also, how should I go about applying? I am thinking to update my CV and e-mail professors at other universities about possible openings? I could also wait to ask my advisor if she knows other professor, but past grad students have told me most had to find their own. If anyone has an opinion on these issues, I would appreciate it.

 

[thewesternsky]

A single article under review is going to mean you'll have a difficult time obtaining a research post-doc. If you can get a couple more papers written and submitted over the next few months, I'd strongly recommend it.

You'll need a letter from your advisor to apply, so if you're planning to apply in Fall, you should talk to your advisor about it now. He/she will be able to give you a better idea of whether you'll be competitive (and how you can become competitive before applying, if you aren't currently). Also, most of these things happen through networking, so your advisor will be a valuable resource.

Have you worked with anyone at other universities and/or had contact with them about your research? If so, you may want to contact them if you or your advisor believes they're a good fit and that they may have post-doc room/funding available. Again, networking is extremely important.

Good luck!

 

[PsychResearch]

Hi! Thanks for the reply. Sorry my answer comes a bit late.

I wanted to follow-up with a couple of questions. In fact, is a dilemma that I am having.

I have at least 2 articles that I could write up and submit by October (let's say the latest). I have a hard time working on them though for 2 reasons. The first article is supossed to be 'easy.' Something I can get done quick. However, I'm not used to working on 'easy' things and I feel it's not a very competitive piece. Needless to say, it will be better than nothing.

The second one is based on my thesis research. I was asked to wait on this one and not start, but rather do the other one. I find this one to be more valuable and the one piece that will get me where I want to be. The problem with this one is that my advisor needs to submit the main grant paper before I can submit this one. So, I'm sort of stuck not knowing on what to focus and when. I started on both, but focusing on both is sort of hard given the above. If you have any advice, I would appreciate it.

I also need to finish my dissertation, so that too is something that I need to prioritize. I feel I have too much going on and feel overwhelmed. The good news is that I got an award that will pay for my last year, so that I work and complete my dissertation. The award says that I should graduate within one year, so I know I need to put my post doc applications in before I finish. If I wait until Fall 2012, I will have 1 year gap, which is not going to help me. I need to talk to my advisor and ask that I take fewer clinical responsabilities to focus on dissertation and writing. I'm hoping this is something okay to ask since I will now be paid through the award and not by the advisor. How should I go about this in a way that creates a win-win situation?