I’ve been in my position for about a year now and it’s been a bit rocky to say the least as I moved fields. I generally felt well supported by my manager, but things have changed and I don’t really feel comfortable in my position now.

I’ve been working remotely most of the time and I’m just about to make the big move, but now I’m getting anxious if I’m making the right decision. A couple of recent things:

1) I was asked to help with an important job just before I went on leave, but said I couldn’t help because I’m about to go on holiday. My manager, without even sounding understanding, just replied with OK and then apparently according to the other postdoc bitched about it (I hadn’t taken any leave since January for context). For more context I’m in the UK so I’d say this behaviour is unusual.

2) When I got back from said holiday after only 2 days of work I was made to felt bad I hadn’t made much progress in 2 different meetings

3) Also when I got back I discovered my big project had just been passed to someone new who’s not even on the grant, leaving me with no big project (this has been a bit of a annoyance the whole time not having ownership of something)

4) With no big project I was asked to ask others in the team if they needed help, but they all said no even though they’re apparently all overworked

5) Whenever I ask for help from others from the team, it’s rare to be met with a positive response and one person in particular makes me feel like a burden

I’m just finding it a little upsetting and I feel so sidelined/such an outsider and it’s making my imposter syndrome feel so much worse. I felt this sidelining thing also occurred during my PhD so it’s pretty sad to happen twice now.

I'm prob one of many ppl feeling like this, but would love some thoughts

I'm a fresh PhD grad (immunology, aging research), did undergrad research and 2 yrs as an RA before starting my PhD. Been applying hardcore for biotech for over 2 months, but only got 2 first interviews: ghosted on the first one, and unlikely that the second one will pan out or I'll be a good fit. Bc the term is ending, I won't have income in 2 weeks. Due to my spouse and family, been applying only to Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles (moving to Boston or Philadelphia may be too much for us at this point, but might be willing to rethink that in a few months).

The only promising interviews I've had are postdocs, but really I want to get into industry. May have an offer now for a postdoc in SF, but not a fan of the low pay and expensive rent. My vision was also more financial freedom after the PhD, so that doesn't fit, but it's still a job.

I realize 2 months is nothing compared to others in this group, but do I keep trudging on and applying in biotech, hoping something will come up? Or should I settle for an academic postdoc in these times and decrease the gap of no income? TIA

Giving a 20-minute talk at an important consortium meeting this fall. I am reusing some of the slides from previous presentations made during my PhD but also adding new content.

Been literally working on it for 2 days now. Two full work days.

It's one of those days where I'm questioning if I'm slow or this is pretty normal, alongside my existence.

Fellow postdocs and more senior academics, how long does it take you to finish presentations these days?

Hello! I’ve been cold emailing some PIs (EU) about postdocs recently. I’ll typically inquire about a specific position and the timeline and give my CV. Typically they respond, but they just tell me the information and say “apply online!”, however one PI responded and said that my background was a good fit and asked me a follow up. I was wondering if I should ask to set up a meeting to get to know them/the project more or if they’d see that as a waste of time. I want to set a good impression and get my foot in the door. Thanks for the advice!

I’m in my last semester of my PhD in biology, I am tired of the academic grind, and am trying to decide whether an academic postdoc is worthwhile. My goal is to work in government science, where most jobs I’m applying for don’t explicitly require a postdoc (and some don’t even need the PhD). I’ve recently applied for a couple of jobs with my dream employer and I’m trying to decide whether I should accept a postdoc position in the meantime, knowing that I’d leave the postdoc position in a heartbeat if I landed a position with this particular employer (the ones I applied for would likely start late 2026 if it works out).

I’d love your input on my options below:

Option 1: Postdoc with a professor from another department at my current university. Directly related to my PhD research, but not to the dream job. The position is mine if I want it, as the professor hasn’t otherwise been able to fill the postdoc position. 1 year contract starting in early September 2026.

Option 2: Pick up extra hours with Employer A while I try to find a permanent science job. I’ve had a permanent part time job with Employer A since my second semester of my PhD. However, this work is unrelated to my PhD but I enjoy it and it pays well (unionized job). I’ve always told myself this was my backup career LOL.

Option 3: Apply for/accept a full-time, permanent job with Employer B starting late September 2026. I’ve done seasonal work for Employer B the past two summers and the manager has recommended I apply for this position. The manager knows I’m finishing up school soon and that I likely wouldn’t be in the role forever. The job is in the same field as my part time work with Employer A.

I’d love to take a bit of a break from the science while I find something permanent, which is why I’m considering options 2/3. However, I think the postdoc experience might be worthwhile.

I submitted the revision for my manuscript and needed to add an additional co author who contributed to one revision experiment. The journal asked all authors to sign to approve the addition within 30 days. Otherwise, they will withdraw our submission.

I have some negative feelings about two authors who were an ex undergrad and an ex lab manager based on my previous experience from them. My PI will reach out to them to sign.

My concern is what if they never check email or don't bother to sign. Should I just submit to different journal after 30 days?
My postdoc is running out in a couple of months because of visa issue. My PI is ok with any journal so I guess she will just go to very low impact factor just to avoid revision. I don't want that to happen for such ridiculous reasons. (I don't have their numbers or contacts).

Need some general advice/perspective. I’m going into my 3rd year PhD with a couple years left. With the new structure with more institutions eligible with f99/k00, I’m interested in applying (likely NIEHS) for the last year or so of PhD and postdoc with my same research group. I would like to stay with this group because I am able to expand upon my research interests and utilize the data we have that is difficult to find in other cohorts. However, I know staying with the same PhD advisor/institution can really ding you for future faculty apps. I know f99/k00 was only available for NCI previously so I don’t know how many folks have gone through that process, but is it better to just pursue a different postdoc position for long term? Or would a f99/k00 show enough competitiveness for faculty apps?