I used to think I was so good at making decisions, but I think I'm locking up at the time when I can least afford such antics. Yes, was offered a postdoc offer nearby and it pays well. Awesome right?
You'd think so, but I keep going back-and-forth and forth-and-back about it. Pay and benefits will make life easier, but picking up a whole new field is scaring me a little, especially because I want to return to my current field afterwards. I want a quick, down-and-dirty postdoc, but can't guarantee I won't spend the first year learning. I think I'm being overly dramatic on that last point (I know my way around a bench and have never had problems picking new things up), but it is still a concern for me.
And now, a new wrinkle decided to pop up. The latest is an unsolicited offer of collaboration/thinly veiled job offer. While at a meeting, I was approached by someone who had looked up my research and thought we could work together on a project. Very cool, I thought.
Then it was mentioned that they were in charge of a program project that was looking to hire someone with just my skills. They were also submitting a grant that should be scored within the month. Would I be interested in working at their institution? Not as a postdoc, but something greater? Maybe research assistant professor or assistant professor? Umm.... YES!
Why? Because it's 1) still in my field, but significantly expands my knowledge base. 2) It's a good institution. 3) My wife already likes the idea, even though it involves a move. 4) They have a reputation of fostering young investigators. 5) My wife likes the idea. 6) I'm excited at the work.
Here's the problem, and the source of my uncertainty - 1) the grant ain't funded yet. 2) It's not clear what level I'd be hired. I lobbied for a Research Assistant Faculty position over assistant prof because I think I need to learn a bit more, but nothing was obviously formalized. 3) I have met my fair share of bullshit artists, and I always wonder if something that sounds too good to be true is indeed just that - too good to be true. Promises only mean something if there is substance to what was promised. 4) I don't want to jerk around my original offer - it's just not fair to them or the other people looking at their job.
So now, I'm lost. Struggling to reconcile the known postdoc offer with the offer of something better. I suppose this is a good problem to have.
But it's also a problem that is keeping me up at nights and giving me ulcers....
Even good things can cause anxiety, so of course this is stressing you out! Hope that the second one clarifies itself soon so you can make a decision. Would it be possible to let the people involved with the second one know that you have an offer on the table and have to make a decision? Just to...you know...push things along?
ReplyDeleteSorry for the slow response - I needed a little time to attempt to decompress with my family. I didn't totally achieve the meditative/relaxation state I was striving for, but I came in to work today with a renewed sense of purpose. So I suppose it worked....
DeleteIn the short term, I have a strategy, but it involves playing the field a lot more that I would normally feel comfortable with. Essentially, I will say yes to #1 and wait on #2 (or even #3). It's safest thing for me and my family to do.
#2 already knows I have an offer and knows many more details than I revealed here. What started out as a conversation turned quickly into mentoring and eventually included a discussion of "what they could do for me" because they could see that I "have a great future and a great potential for incredible science." Makes me blush a bit to recount it, but man was I grateful to hear it...
Good--I'm glad you've settled on a strategy. And I am glad that you are getting positive feedback along the way, too!
DeleteI was unemployed for 3 months, got quite discouraged, and then got two good offers in the same week (and a interview invite for a third equally good opportunity came soon after). I was indecisive but eventually weighed the pros and cons in light of my goals, and couldn't be happier with my decision now. And I did have to do the awkward dance a bit while making a decision, it's a part of the game. So definitely think carefully, but don't forget to take the time to celebrate too! And I agree with the previous comment - can you let the second place know that you already have an offer on the table to get them to make a decision quicker?
ReplyDeleteIt does seem that it takes having a job offer to get another offer. Not sure how the cosmos knows such things, but good news begets more good news, I suppose. :)
Deletehere is the sad fact both institutions of Job #1 and #2 would eff u over if they needed to. I too disliked the whole "gaming" of academia but hey we decided to get in the game. So you know what? I sucked it up, got a job offer I knew I would never take, and renegotiated for a better title at the job I kept. It's BS, wrong and not fair, but it is how higher ed works. Focus on the institutions, which will employ you, not the individuals, who are colleagues. So you know what, take #1 and if #2 comes up, take it too. Grant review is grant review so I doubt you'll be able to get #2 to go any faster. They can't hire until they are funded (this is for soft money position, right?)
ReplyDeleteThis is the same point my very, very patient mentor was/is trying to stress to me. Although I feel smarmy playing the field, I think it is a necessary evil and honestly the healthiest thing for my family. I just have to keep it professional and on a business, keeping personal feelings and emotions out of it.
DeleteTo be fair, I'm not planning to start for another 4-5 months, so I could go to job #2 and leave plenty of time for #1 to start another search. As for #2, it would be soft money no matter what was offered.
What FeMOMhist said. Having been on the market every damn year for 5 years, play the game. There's so little loyalty on the employer's part anymore, that you being loyal isn't going to pay. Just don't be a jerk when you leave a job (you can't control if they react poorly.)
DeleteThe game sucks. But unfortunately I have to work within the system that is given to me. My kids need to eat, and I want to do science.
DeleteI've always tried not to be a jerk when I've left jobs (for whatever reason). In this case, I think that it will be clear that any alternative that I accept will be clear improvement - either in position or project or institution.
I can't control how they react, but I always strive for the higher ground.