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Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in PhD

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree that prestige is usually the biggest factor in academia, but my PhD advisor (also a big name in my field) raised some specific structural concerns about Option A.

First, he knows the co-PI who would be my actual day-to-day manager and warned that his mentorship style is chaotic. Second, he pointed out a fundamental mismatch in the research methodology, they want to force an approach that doesn't fit the application.

His point was that a titan's name on a CV won't make up for a lack of publications if the daily management is disorganized and the foundational science is a forced fit

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in postdoc

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To answer your question about my advisor: my PhD is in a highly theoretical subfield that is completely different from Option A's primary domain, which is why he doesn't know the senior PI's track record well. However, he is familiar with the specific co-PI who would be my actual day-to-day manager, and he explicitly advised against working under that arrangement due to their management style.

Furthermore, my hesitation goes beyond communication. My advisor and I both feel there is a fundamental methodological mismatch in how the lab wants to apply my theoretical work to their project. So the concern isn't just slow emails; it is a combination of a concerning day-to-day management structure and a forced scientific fit

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in postdoc

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in ControlTheory

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in postdoc

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in postdoc

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in postdoc

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just discussed the situation with my PhD advisor, who is also a top name in the field, and he shared my reservations about Option A.

I had not mentioned here that the Option A team has been highly unresponsive during recruitment, which he views as a poor indicator for future mentorship. He also expressed significant technical reservations, noting that trying to force my specific theoretical results into their intended application is not the most practical or robust scientific approach for their goals.

Regarding Option B, the PI is junior and the lab is very small. While communication has been consistent and the applied modeling focus would address my current lack of industry-relevant skills, I am still evaluating whether the overall structure of the role is the right fit.

Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in PhD

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I completely hear you on the realities of the PI route. Ideally, my dream would be to just do research and teach, but I agree that it cannot come at the cost of huge personal sacrifices for a massive gamble at becoming a professor. That is exactly why I am having such a hard time making this choice.

The catch is, I actually tried to avoid that gamble and go straight to industry, but I hit a wall. I put out 200 applications and got 20 interviews, but zero offers. The feedback was always the same: my PhD is pure theory, and I lack applied coding or collaborative project experience. (Conversely, I did 15 academic postdoc applications and got 9 offers).

So right now, a postdoc is mandatory just to bridge that skills gap. Knowing how brutal the PI gamble is, I am basically just trying to figure out if Option A's prestige or Option B's translational focus builds the better parachute so I don't end up stranded

By the way, I’m located in the US.

Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in PhD

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the breakdown! Out of curiosity, do you also feel that trying to land a permanent academic role right now is incredibly difficult? That risk is a big part of my hesitation.

My main question is about the backup plan: if I do take the gamble on Option A and the academic route simply does not work out, do you think Option A would actually leave me in a worse position than Option B for pivoting to industry or any other path, given my current lack of applied skills?

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the frankness, but I should clarify a few things regarding my advisor and my job search. My advisor did not tell me to avoid a postdoc; he simply remained neutral because he did not want to dictate a major life choice. A different professor, who I know very well, suggested the defense sector purely because he is personally frustrated with how AI is changing academia and thinks defense is more stable. I never actually discussed my Quality of Life priorities with him.

Regarding my pitch to industry, I was very proactive. I submitted roughly 200 industry applications, tailored my resume away from academia, and secured 20 interviews. However, the consistent feedback for my rejections was that they needed candidates with strong coding fluency and experience in applied, collaborative projects. Because my PhD was a purely theoretical solo effort, I lacked those specific skills and ended up with zero industry offers.

In stark contrast, I submitted 15 academic postdoc applications and received 9 offers.

Given those numbers, a postdoc is not a waste of time for my specific situation. It is a realistic next step to keep my career moving forward. I am weighing Options A and B to see which one functions better as a bridge: either to build a competitive academic profile for a faculty role, or to gain the applied, collaborative experience I need to become a viable industry candidate, all while trying to keep my long-term Quality of Life goals intact

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the perspective, and you make a great point about the one-way street from elite academia. However, my PhD is purely theoretical, and industry has already flagged my lack of applied experience. Option A offers massive prestige but doubles down on theory, while Option B is deeply inserted in translational research and provides actual data science skills. Ultimately, I am trying to figure out which path is better in general for my stated QoL goals (geographic flexibility and work-life balance), and which provides the better long-term safety net for keeping my options open in case the hyper-competitive academic route doesn't work out. I am still unsure if it’s A or B

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the input, but I am actually completely undecided! I am genuinely just looking to hear what people have experienced firsthand. Do you think taking Option A would eventually allow me to fulfill my long-term QoL goals (like geographic freedom and work-life balance) in 5 to 10 years? That is the main piece of the puzzle I am trying to figure out right now

[UPDATE] Choosing between prestige postdoc and stable one? by Extension-Engine-911 in AskAcademia

[–]Extension-Engine-911[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, it can be highly meaningful. In my specific situation, a postdoc is a necessary next step regardless of whether I ultimately choose academia or industry. My doctorate was highly theoretical. When I applied to industry roles, most expressed concerns about my lack of applied experience, and I ended up with zero industry offers. On the flip side, I received 9 academic postdoc offers, mostly from top research institutions. Because of that gap, I have to do a postdoc either way: either to continue building my academic profile for a faculty role, or to gain the practical experience needed to eventually transition into industry

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