PhD to Postdoc: you didn’t come this far to only come this far.

Going from PhD to postdoc can often be daunting, you’ve potentially moved to a new field, with a new lab group, perhaps in a completely new country. I can’t help with the last bit… but hopefully the following tips from my experience are useful to help you move from writing up, to settling into your new position as Doctor Post Doc.

1. Take a break.

You have literally just completely a three/four-year marathon, and you may now be writing up or preparing for your viva. But please take a break. Often its easy to sign a new contract and jump straight into a new position – sometimes there is no option except to do this due to contract restrictions. But if you can book a holiday, take some time out to go outdoors, see your friends and family, or simply catch up on sleep or Netflix!

2. Don’t feel guilty.

When you start your new Post doc position, its easy to still be in PhD mode, where you are working flat out to get things done, but chill out and be kind to yourself. Don’t feel guilty that you aren’t chained to the lab bench or desk. Try to remember that you need to adjust to your new position, take time to read the literature, learn any new techniques and get to know your new colleagues.

3. You know your stuff.

You’ve been living in PhD-land, where you literally know your topic inside out, and moved to potentially to a whole new topic where you feel useless, clueless, and a complete imposter… (believe me, I’ve been there!), but remember you have been hired for a reason. You have the skillset to apply to your new role, whether that’s lab-based techniques, data analysis or methods development. Just take your time to read up on the groups work, ask questions (no matter how daft they seem!), practice skills, make mistakes and learn from them!

4. Ask the question about papers.

Often the best way to learn about a new topic is to write a review, whether that’s for your own benefit or for publication submission, it’s a useful way to throw yourself into the deep end, get caught up on reading, but also familiar yourself with your new line of work. If you’re staying in the same lab or research area, perhaps there are reviews or papers you could produce from your PhD, or small pots of money you could apply for through a pilot grant application. Either way, writing and reading helps familiarise yourself with your field of research.

5. Engage with the public.

Another great way of feeling comfortable in your area is to do something that makes you feel completely uncomfortable! Push yourself out of your comfort zone and talk to the public about your new research area. Often explaining complex principles in lay terms is a great way to unpack things in your mind. Sign yourself up to Pint of Science or a science festival and engage your work with the public – you’ll feel completely out your depth at first, but absolutely incredible afterwards!

Phd To Postdoc

These are my five main pointers from moving from PhD to Postdoc – everyone’s experience is different, but hopefully you find at least one of these pointers useful! Your career as a postdoc is a whole world of opportunities, which you just need to take advantage of and enjoy.

Dr Josie Fullerton is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow.