Post-docs – how to get themand how to survive them….

Mark McLelland

Types of Post-docTypes of Post-doc

• One-yearOne-year

• Two-to-three yearsTwo-to-three years

• Four years with teachingFour years with teaching

• ARCARC

• Own project vs collaborative projectOwn project vs collaborative project

How to get them…How to get them…

• Be competitive :-Be competitive :-• Publish at least 4 “well placed” articles Publish at least 4 “well placed” articles

from your PhD and, ideally,from your PhD and, ideally,• Have a book contract alreadyHave a book contract already• See and be seen in all the right placesSee and be seen in all the right places• Identify the key players in your field and Identify the key players in your field and

network with themnetwork with them• Make sure you have first-rate referees Make sure you have first-rate referees

(and they actually know you)(and they actually know you)

Writing the applicationWriting the application

• Choose an institution with synergyChoose an institution with synergy• Make sure the department head is on your Make sure the department head is on your

side (email, phone and visit if possible)side (email, phone and visit if possible)• Show how your research will add to existing Show how your research will add to existing

strengthsstrengths• Stress collaboration with existing staffStress collaboration with existing staff• Show strong evidence of past performance Show strong evidence of past performance

and long-term future planningand long-term future planning• Make sure your referees do their best for Make sure your referees do their best for

youyou

Applying for ARC Post-docsApplying for ARC Post-docs

• These are not entry-level positionsThese are not entry-level positions

• Track record is everythingTrack record is everything

• You must be able to demonstrate You must be able to demonstrate impactimpact

• You must have a tightly defined You must have a tightly defined project with realistic objectives and project with realistic objectives and research outcomesresearch outcomes

• Choose your host institution with careChoose your host institution with care

How to manage a post-docHow to manage a post-doc

• 3 years is *not* a long time3 years is *not* a long time

• Treat it as a full-time job : work an 8-hour Treat it as a full-time job : work an 8-hour day : find a schedule that works for you and day : find a schedule that works for you and stick to itstick to it

• Plan your research : identify key journals Plan your research : identify key journals and publishers in advanceand publishers in advance

• Pace yourself – don’t leave all your Pace yourself – don’t leave all your publications to the last minutepublications to the last minute

• Remember outcome is everythingRemember outcome is everything

Non-research activitiesNon-research activities

• Be visible on campusBe visible on campus• Offer to guest-lecture, co-teach and Offer to guest-lecture, co-teach and

supervisesupervise• See and be seen at conferences at See and be seen at conferences at

home and internationallyhome and internationally• Network and collaborateNetwork and collaborate• Put your hand up to organise things—Put your hand up to organise things—

your schedule will never be so flexible your schedule will never be so flexible againagain

Some drawbacksSome drawbacks

• These are level A positionsThese are level A positions• The pressure to produce is relentless The pressure to produce is relentless

and if you fail there’s no-one else to and if you fail there’s no-one else to blameblame

• Your CV may lack formal teaching and Your CV may lack formal teaching and administrative experienceadministrative experience

• Be aware of departmental politics – Be aware of departmental politics – other staff may resent youother staff may resent you

• It can be a lonely lifeIt can be a lonely life