Post-docs – how to get them and how to survive them…. Mark McLelland

Types of Post-doc One-year One-year Two-to-three years Two-to-three years Four years with teaching Four years with teaching ARC ARC Own project vs collaborative project Own project vs collaborative project

How to get them… Be competitive :- Be competitive :- Publish at least 4 “well placed” articles from your PhD and, ideally, Publish at least 4 “well placed” articles from your PhD and, ideally, Have a book contract already Have a book contract already See and be seen in all the right places See and be seen in all the right places Identify the key players in your field and network with them Identify the key players in your field and network with them Make sure you have first-rate referees (and they actually know you) Make sure you have first-rate referees (and they actually know you)

Writing the application Choose an institution with synergy Choose an institution with synergy Make sure the department head is on your side ( , phone and visit if possible) Make sure the department head is on your side ( , phone and visit if possible) Show how your research will add to existing strengths Show how your research will add to existing strengths Stress collaboration with existing staff Stress collaboration with existing staff Show strong evidence of past performance and long-term future planning Show strong evidence of past performance and long-term future planning Make sure your referees do their best for you Make sure your referees do their best for you

Applying for ARC Post-docs These are not entry-level positions These are not entry-level positions Track record is everything Track record is everything You must be able to demonstrate impact You must be able to demonstrate impact You must have a tightly defined project with realistic objectives and research outcomes You must have a tightly defined project with realistic objectives and research outcomes Choose your host institution with care Choose your host institution with care

How to manage a post-doc 3 years is *not* a long time 3 years is *not* a long time Treat it as a full-time job : work an 8-hour day : find a schedule that works for you and stick to it Treat it as a full-time job : work an 8-hour day : find a schedule that works for you and stick to it Plan your research : identify key journals and publishers in advance Plan your research : identify key journals and publishers in advance Pace yourself – don’t leave all your publications to the last minute Pace yourself – don’t leave all your publications to the last minute Remember outcome is everything Remember outcome is everything

Non-research activities Be visible on campus Be visible on campus Offer to guest-lecture, co-teach and supervise Offer to guest-lecture, co-teach and supervise See and be seen at conferences at home and internationally See and be seen at conferences at home and internationally Network and collaborate Network and collaborate Put your hand up to organise things—your schedule will never be so flexible again Put your hand up to organise things—your schedule will never be so flexible again

Some drawbacks These are level A positions These are level A positions The pressure to produce is relentless and if you fail there’s no-one else to blame The pressure to produce is relentless and if you fail there’s no-one else to blame Your CV may lack formal teaching and administrative experience Your CV may lack formal teaching and administrative experience Be aware of departmental politics – other staff may resent you Be aware of departmental politics – other staff may resent you It can be a lonely life It can be a lonely life