Sunday was graduation, and it was a fun experience to walk. My Mom loves to take pictures and since I paid almost $200 to rent my regalia, I didn't have a problem doing lots of posing. Of course, now that I'm no longer a graduate student, the realities of my situation weigh more heavily on me. Getting my access card revoked 4 days after graduation also helped. ha!
Yesterday I made trip #2 to my postdoc suitor to observe an experiment. It was a long day in the lab, just watching. But, I got to see some very cool stuff and got a good feel for the dynamic of the lab. Granted I'm losing interest in my potential research here at my PhD institution (perhaps because of my need for a real vacation), but the things I saw there felt way cooler than my PhD work or what I am writing in a grant.
I know I should be making a decision soon. I think today I'll finally get a chance to have a serious discussion with my current advisor on my role in the lab, etc, if I continue as a postdoc. Although we had a general agreement that I'd be here through the year, the other position was too good to not at least seriously consider. Which makes me ask questions of this current position. One problem is that I doubt my advisor has direct funding for me/my work any more - thus his stronger push to get me on a fellowship and me to get grants in. That is fine, but I have felt more marginalized in the lab as he has turned his focus to his two funded research directions. So, the lack of input and being out of the loop on things is frustrating. I need to learn new skills and collaborate with new people to have the best chance at a tenure track position in a few years. To his credit, my advisor is directing me towards side collaborations with other researchers in our large consortium. One looks like it'll pan out, assuming some funding comes through this summer. It will allow me to work with a different PI here and researchers at another institution. I'll get new skills and collaborations, but I doubt I'd get any preliminary data I could eventually take with myself and it would be a minor side project to my planned work continuing my doctoral research. So, a benefit, but perhaps a minor one. At postdoc suiter lab, I'd learn new skills, collaborate with new people, get to explore a new field, and probably be a lot more involved in the lab...but wouldn't have the large center like here (but would be at a much bigger insitution) and would have to move all my stuff (but would be in a more interesting city) and would have to figure out other factors. We'll see.
Before I lose the tab, I wanted to track this great posting about balancing research and teaching.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Graduation Tomorrow!
:)
Looking forward to officially receiving my PhD. My parents are in town (4th time in my 4 years here), which is nice - makes it sorta feel like I'm on vacation, without any research thoughts. Hopefully the rain holds off so we can do some things outside.
Here are a couple of good year-end, summaries for people who just started the TT track - an answering of questions about it and a chronological summary. Some good things to keep in mind, for sure.
This SciNet looks like something I may want to return to, for additional career advice.
And, I like this video that a school put together describing engineers...just cut out the last part where they advertise themselves and it'd be perfect. ha.
Looking forward to officially receiving my PhD. My parents are in town (4th time in my 4 years here), which is nice - makes it sorta feel like I'm on vacation, without any research thoughts. Hopefully the rain holds off so we can do some things outside.
Here are a couple of good year-end, summaries for people who just started the TT track - an answering of questions about it and a chronological summary. Some good things to keep in mind, for sure.
This SciNet looks like something I may want to return to, for additional career advice.
And, I like this video that a school put together describing engineers...just cut out the last part where they advertise themselves and it'd be perfect. ha.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Staying less tempting
Although I still have a while to make a final decision on where to postdoc next, things continue to be frustrating at my current location. A funded postdoc slot that I'm in the running for is taking weeks to finalize - although my advisor tried to convince me otherwise, it just sounds like a lot of backroom bartering is going on. It would be nice to have, but isn't the end-all my advisor seems to make it out to be (granted, I am not worrying about immediate funding like he is) as ultimately I'd hope to be self-supported by one of the grants I would put in next month or August. And, it is hard to pimp myself for it knowing that I'm at least partially considering another location. Sure, I'm committed to this path...assuming I don't leave. ha. Whatever - I've done my part by providing information and emailing the director to discuss future plans, if he's ever around. I'm looking forward to visiting my 2nd option next week again, to observe an experiment.
I like this post reviewing a book on ways to "grow a backbone". It isn't about not being spineless, but making sure you are in the best position you can be in academia. I like the suggestions that the reviewer summarized - assess your environment, observe others, take notes, mind map, etc. The mind mapping is something I should do often, especially at this stage.
I like this post reviewing a book on ways to "grow a backbone". It isn't about not being spineless, but making sure you are in the best position you can be in academia. I like the suggestions that the reviewer summarized - assess your environment, observe others, take notes, mind map, etc. The mind mapping is something I should do often, especially at this stage.
Monday, May 11, 2009
A vs B
I'm still working on my postdoc decision. In my mind I have thought through pro's and con's of each location, but haven't written them down anywhere yet. I suppose a good place as any would be here.
Location A - where I currently am (PhD)
Pro's
-It would be easy to continue here - I don't have to change plans or move, and my PI is already pushing through paperwork on appointments
-I would get to write grants. I will be submitting one (unless I decide to leave before then) within a month. A second one, that has been slowly reaching ready status over the last 6+ months could be submitted in August to a different funding agency. In a perfect world, I'd get to choose between the two grants. Either way, I'd have the experience of having written and submitted my own (postdoc) grants.
-I would continue the work I did for my PhD. This is both a positive and a negative. There is a definite need and opportunity, which is nice to take advantage of. It would be nice to do one study, which was going to be part of my PhD but didn't move fast enough for me (factors outside my control) so I went in a different direction.
-With that, my PI has pushed for me to work on thinking about and putting together grants. I'm sure this would continue, even if the first I submit was lucky enough to get funded.
-I continue to be part of an excellent collaborative research network. This network includes researchers from the university and 3 nearby hospitals. My program is probably the top in the country in our sub-field, and this network is a major contributor.
-I would have the opportunity for plenty of non-research training. This could include teaching an undergraduate lab, attending excellent seminars put on by our research center, and shadowing clinical collaborators.
-There are clear future grants (after the postdoc work) that could be written, which in conversations with my PI are things I could take with me to my next job (assuming that location has the facilities/collaborations available to work with).
-We have a good lab dynamic.
-Experiments for one of the potential research thrusts can happen at a quick pace.
Con's
-I probably wouldn't be learning many new research skills, basically doing the same type of work as for my doctoral research - just in different models.
-I would be publishing with the same PI. Some potential work would add in a collaboration from one of the nearby hospitals, but I wouldn't be separating from my advisor much.
-I would be pretty much my own research silo, within the lab, as during my doctoral studies. So, I'd be first author on several papers, but may not have the chance to also be 2nd author on some other people's projects.
-In continuing my doctoral research, I would be focusing on work that doesn't appear to be a major priority for my PI. His major thrusts going forward are in two related areas that he has current funding for. By keeping me around, he gets to continue with this area, but I get the vibe from activities that it isn't as high of a priority. (Thus the "pro" of being able to take it with me)
-There's the potential of struggling for funding. My PI has said he'll make sure that I'm covered, which I know will be the case. But, if the grant or two that I may put in this summer aren't funded, then any research I do wouldn't be funded directly to me/the project. It'd probably be skimming from other areas.
-I'm not very confident that the doctoral research project which was pushed out of my PhD and would be a primary focus now will ever get started. Due to other lab priorities and the way things are set up, I often feel out of the loop on this. I have complained several times, but to no strong avail. After having this project drag on for several years, it sounds like another researcher somewhere else may be stealing our thunder and publishing soon. While I'm sure that our study will look at things they didn't, it will be using the same mechanism, which is unfortunate. LOST OPPORTUNITY!
Location B - a new place I'm considering
Pro's
-I would be expanding my boundaries by joining a new lab.
-I would be learning new research skills, which would compliment the skills I used in my doctoral work.
-There is an easy-going dynamic in this lab also, as the PI is also young.
-I would be more of a 2nd lieutenant in the lab, working with one or two grad student projects, as interface with PI. This would give me collaborative opportunities - as the 2nd author on some projects.
-I would have the opportunity to be involved with new clinical study, possibly being primary researcher as none of the grad students would be involved.
-I would have the possibility of doing a project crossing the areas of my doctoral work and this lab, collaborating with the current postdoc who also worked in my doctoral area for his doctorate. This potential project is something the PI would support and would definitely allow one or both of us to take with us when we left.
-The position is a funded postdoc, as supported by his R01, for several years. Although the specific funding is for a project which I am interested in, I wouldn't be held to only (or at all) working on it.
-There is the potential to split time between A and B. (within several hour driving distance) If this were to happen, the best would probably be 80% at B so that I could reap the benefits of being at a new location. Once a month or so I could return to A to perform a clinical experiment (if that ever got going). Thanks to modern technology, I could do all communication via phone and email. Both PIs are amenable to some sort of time-sharing. I'm sure each would like to have 100% of me, especially given logistics of cost-sharing. There's also the risk of spreading myself too thin. Thus, if I did it, I think having 1 study here that is spread out would be best. Plus on this 1 study, it is already set up - all equipment gathered and regulatory approval obtained. Thus it is just a matter of getting the subjects, something I haven't been involved with.
Con's
-I would have to deal with all the complications of moving (an eventuality either way).
-I'm not sure I would get as many non-research training opportunities. The PI has a secondary appointment in my field's department. He said I could probably do some teaching if I wanted to, but I'd have to do more legwork to figure out the good opportunities and to get involved.
-Grant writing would be less of a priority. I may have to do more work on the side to think about what I'd want to do in the future. If the other postdoc and I did our collaborative project, we would have the chance to put together a grant on that.
-So far, they don't have as quick of a turn around on experiments. Their current series has been postponed several times.
-I wouldn't be as involved in a large collaborative network. There are two other labs that this PI is heavily involved with (moreso than any close labs for my current lab) but there is not the large network of researchers like at my current location. I think I could get similar exposure to related fields, but not as much continued broad exposure to my sub-field.
So, that's a pretty good listing. I'm sure there are other factors that I'm forgetting for the moment. I'll have to update this if I think of any. And, there's one other major factor - a non-career factor. It'd be pretty difficult to continue the relationship I am in over long-distance. So, something would have to be figured out there, if I were to move. We've talked about it some. If it comes down to me not being able to make up my mind, whether for pro/con lists above or for relationship reasons, then I'll just stay where I'm at.
Hmmm...back to the thinking board and back to some work...
Location A - where I currently am (PhD)
Pro's
-It would be easy to continue here - I don't have to change plans or move, and my PI is already pushing through paperwork on appointments
-I would get to write grants. I will be submitting one (unless I decide to leave before then) within a month. A second one, that has been slowly reaching ready status over the last 6+ months could be submitted in August to a different funding agency. In a perfect world, I'd get to choose between the two grants. Either way, I'd have the experience of having written and submitted my own (postdoc) grants.
-I would continue the work I did for my PhD. This is both a positive and a negative. There is a definite need and opportunity, which is nice to take advantage of. It would be nice to do one study, which was going to be part of my PhD but didn't move fast enough for me (factors outside my control) so I went in a different direction.
-With that, my PI has pushed for me to work on thinking about and putting together grants. I'm sure this would continue, even if the first I submit was lucky enough to get funded.
-I continue to be part of an excellent collaborative research network. This network includes researchers from the university and 3 nearby hospitals. My program is probably the top in the country in our sub-field, and this network is a major contributor.
-I would have the opportunity for plenty of non-research training. This could include teaching an undergraduate lab, attending excellent seminars put on by our research center, and shadowing clinical collaborators.
-There are clear future grants (after the postdoc work) that could be written, which in conversations with my PI are things I could take with me to my next job (assuming that location has the facilities/collaborations available to work with).
-We have a good lab dynamic.
-Experiments for one of the potential research thrusts can happen at a quick pace.
Con's
-I probably wouldn't be learning many new research skills, basically doing the same type of work as for my doctoral research - just in different models.
-I would be publishing with the same PI. Some potential work would add in a collaboration from one of the nearby hospitals, but I wouldn't be separating from my advisor much.
-I would be pretty much my own research silo, within the lab, as during my doctoral studies. So, I'd be first author on several papers, but may not have the chance to also be 2nd author on some other people's projects.
-In continuing my doctoral research, I would be focusing on work that doesn't appear to be a major priority for my PI. His major thrusts going forward are in two related areas that he has current funding for. By keeping me around, he gets to continue with this area, but I get the vibe from activities that it isn't as high of a priority. (Thus the "pro" of being able to take it with me)
-There's the potential of struggling for funding. My PI has said he'll make sure that I'm covered, which I know will be the case. But, if the grant or two that I may put in this summer aren't funded, then any research I do wouldn't be funded directly to me/the project. It'd probably be skimming from other areas.
-I'm not very confident that the doctoral research project which was pushed out of my PhD and would be a primary focus now will ever get started. Due to other lab priorities and the way things are set up, I often feel out of the loop on this. I have complained several times, but to no strong avail. After having this project drag on for several years, it sounds like another researcher somewhere else may be stealing our thunder and publishing soon. While I'm sure that our study will look at things they didn't, it will be using the same mechanism, which is unfortunate. LOST OPPORTUNITY!
Location B - a new place I'm considering
Pro's
-I would be expanding my boundaries by joining a new lab.
-I would be learning new research skills, which would compliment the skills I used in my doctoral work.
-There is an easy-going dynamic in this lab also, as the PI is also young.
-I would be more of a 2nd lieutenant in the lab, working with one or two grad student projects, as interface with PI. This would give me collaborative opportunities - as the 2nd author on some projects.
-I would have the opportunity to be involved with new clinical study, possibly being primary researcher as none of the grad students would be involved.
-I would have the possibility of doing a project crossing the areas of my doctoral work and this lab, collaborating with the current postdoc who also worked in my doctoral area for his doctorate. This potential project is something the PI would support and would definitely allow one or both of us to take with us when we left.
-The position is a funded postdoc, as supported by his R01, for several years. Although the specific funding is for a project which I am interested in, I wouldn't be held to only (or at all) working on it.
-There is the potential to split time between A and B. (within several hour driving distance) If this were to happen, the best would probably be 80% at B so that I could reap the benefits of being at a new location. Once a month or so I could return to A to perform a clinical experiment (if that ever got going). Thanks to modern technology, I could do all communication via phone and email. Both PIs are amenable to some sort of time-sharing. I'm sure each would like to have 100% of me, especially given logistics of cost-sharing. There's also the risk of spreading myself too thin. Thus, if I did it, I think having 1 study here that is spread out would be best. Plus on this 1 study, it is already set up - all equipment gathered and regulatory approval obtained. Thus it is just a matter of getting the subjects, something I haven't been involved with.
Con's
-I would have to deal with all the complications of moving (an eventuality either way).
-I'm not sure I would get as many non-research training opportunities. The PI has a secondary appointment in my field's department. He said I could probably do some teaching if I wanted to, but I'd have to do more legwork to figure out the good opportunities and to get involved.
-Grant writing would be less of a priority. I may have to do more work on the side to think about what I'd want to do in the future. If the other postdoc and I did our collaborative project, we would have the chance to put together a grant on that.
-So far, they don't have as quick of a turn around on experiments. Their current series has been postponed several times.
-I wouldn't be as involved in a large collaborative network. There are two other labs that this PI is heavily involved with (moreso than any close labs for my current lab) but there is not the large network of researchers like at my current location. I think I could get similar exposure to related fields, but not as much continued broad exposure to my sub-field.
So, that's a pretty good listing. I'm sure there are other factors that I'm forgetting for the moment. I'll have to update this if I think of any. And, there's one other major factor - a non-career factor. It'd be pretty difficult to continue the relationship I am in over long-distance. So, something would have to be figured out there, if I were to move. We've talked about it some. If it comes down to me not being able to make up my mind, whether for pro/con lists above or for relationship reasons, then I'll just stay where I'm at.
Hmmm...back to the thinking board and back to some work...
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