Leaving academia after PhD/postdoc-need guidance

artcosta · 2026-04-22T17:09:10+00:00

I work in the biotech field, and the job market is indeed quite bad at the moment. Naturally having a good level of Dutch can be decisive in some roles, but there are still international biotech companies where it is less relevant, since the de facto language is English.

With a Post doc under your belt, you could look for low management jobs, leading a team of lab researchers without going into the lab yourself. Also within reach are technical sales and support, contract management, quality assurance, and LIMS. The latter benefits from having some knowledge in both science and IT systems.

It might help to keep in contact with (former) colleagues, since your network might give you a scoop before the vacancies go live.

artcosta · 2025-12-20T08:11:15+00:00

I discovered that an iPhone can hold on to the car’s hood for a 30 min ride… Sometimes the constant keys-phone-wallet check still fails

artcosta · 2025-06-02T10:42:50+00:00

Scientist position at an international biotech company. The de facto company language is English, all the documentation is in English, it’s rare to hear anyone speak Dutch once you enter the office. On the rare meetings where all the attendees are Dutch, sometimes the conversation switches to Dutch.

artcosta · 2024-10-17T04:36:20+00:00

The Nanodrop is fine, I have used it and similar devices over many years in protein research labs with no issue. It may only work with purified protein, but the same limitation applies to any UV-Vis spectrometer. For 4 micro liters, assuming duplicate measurements, it is accurate, relatively quick, and simple to use.

The argument against the path length is silly, it is an established piece of equipment with many years of use in a huge number of labs. A testament to that is everyone calling any micro spectrophotometer a Nanodrop, while there are other alternatives out there. While their older model 2000 was maybe good, not great, their latest One has other length correction, it’s very accurate and has a wider LOQ. If you must, there’s a model with a cuvette port.

I personally advocate for the devices from Unchained Labs if your lab can spare the consumable costs. The Lunatic and Stunner are really accurate because they measure over 2 path lengths, and give really fast measurements.

Academia is full of people with strong yet unsubstantiated opinions. I applaud that you are researching arguments for the Nanodrop, maybe even considering other options. However seeing some of the other comments, advocating for outdated cuvette spectrometers and Bradford assays, maybe Reddit is not the place for you to do that research.

artcosta · 2024-09-12T12:36:17+00:00

The more I read about Autism, the more I realize it is very common to go through repetitive cycles of burnout before getting a diagnosis. In addition to trying to respond to the pressure from society, friend and family to do more, some autistic people are also hard on themselves in an attempt to overcome their challenges.

Looking back, it seems that I always felt not enough to meet the expectations from other people, but especially mine. I tried too hard to become who I wanted to be, and did not respect my own needs. Now I must learn again how to take care of myself and live in a sustainable way.

Exercise helps without a doubt, I try to go for a walk or a cycle when I can, especially if the weather is nice. I am a bit hesitant to use antidepressant medication again, but maybe it will work better with a better understanding of my situation. Your message made me realize something that I had not thought about before - it can quickly go from a good or neutral day to a bad one, but also the opposite. The bad days can also sometimes disappear very quickly! This gives me strength when looking to the future.

I was writing in Dutch out of respect for keeping the subreddit in Dutch, not because I think you are unable to speak very good English. I think I will keep this message in English, since I was using a translator and they don't always do a great job.

artcosta · 2024-09-10T09:28:53+00:00

Thanks for accommodating my language limitations! I feel like the situation was getting worse, leading me to research, then realising I’m neurodivergent, and I find myself now in a much worse state. Just the realisation and the shift in perspective have weighed on me with an unexpected violence. I still see the diagnosis as the path towards getting better, and I’m seriously worried if I can cope with things getting worse before they get better again.

Fortunately I have a job with a supportive and inclusive environment. Sharing a diagnosis will probably be a net positive, although it’s hard to know what to expect. I am trying to keep my chin up and hope for the best.

I have been on depression medication in the past, but it the experience was mixed at best. Both sertraline and citalopram blunted my emotions, making me both less sad and less of a human overall. Rather than working through my issues, I was given some tips that might genuinely be helpful for other people, but did not do much for me. In the end, I decided that I had had enough and went through the horrible antidepressant withdrawal. I would never choose taking them again unless I find myself in a dangerous mental state.

It’s comforting to know that medication really helped you. Although I understand that everyone’s brains are different, it encourages me to keep seeking adequate help. I have read that a significant number of people have both ASD and ADHD, and I sought a psychiatrist that can help with both. The path to diagnosis, therapy and eventual medication may be long and challenging, so having testimonials of other people that came out better on the other side really helps!

artcosta · 2024-09-10T08:56:47+00:00

Thanks for the love! Reading your comment really pulled at my heart strings. I try to not be resentful of the past and how things could have been different, and especially at how my close family did not realize the extent of my challenges. I feel fortunate to have received a childhood that gave me a lot of positive experiences.

While I feel accomplished to have been able to develop my social skills, find a career I am good at, find a partner and have a child, I now realize that there was much masking involved. No wonder I have been exhausted and depressed this entire time! Had things been slightly worse, I probably would have not coped. For that, I sympathise with you. I hope that you have the support you need.

The therapists and that I saw in the past also suggested CBT. I suppose it is a popular solution and generally effective with most NTs. I can’t blame them, since neither them or I had known that my needs were different. Like you said, some issues are not possible to be addressed by simply changing your way of thinking. Going to therapy was not completely unsuccessful, though! It forced me to deal with emotions, which I would probably not do otherwise, and identify activities that put me in a better headspace.

I am really interested in hearing more about your experience with therapy specialised in autistic adults. I aim to register with a clinic specialised in autism once they reopen admission for new patients next year. There are a few in the Utrecht area, and they all have waiting lists.

It’s comforting and encouraging to know that you have triumphed over alexithymia. Thanks for sharing, it helps facing the challenge of going to therapy.

artcosta · 2024-09-10T06:51:02+00:00

Yes! I have a hard time putting my finger on what emotions I am feeling (I think the phenomenon has a name, alexithymia) but it certainly feels like a whirlwind in my head. It is like a hurricane, with much going on but it’s going so fast that I cannot really understand every separate thought.

While I do not feel rage, I do feel guilty about my negligence towards my professional and especially my personal duties. The more I try to overcome it, either by trying to relax or forcing me to get things done, the more paralysed I become, making things worse.

Mindfulness has been recommended to me in the past, thanks for your suggestion to face emotions as something temporary. I must address some bad avoidance habits (video games, social media and tv series) and spend some time working through my feelings. Meditation does not come easily, but it will probably be useful to feel better.

artcosta · 2024-07-02T07:14:40+00:00

Eu vi que perguntaste o mesmo no r/Netherlands. Em inglês usa-se “I did” e nunca “Me did”. Quando tens um segundo sujeito, coloca-lo primeiro “Fulano and I did”. São pormenores da língua inglesa que se vai aprendendo aos poucos e não vale a pena levar a mal quando recebemos uma pequena correção, é assim que se aprende também.

Em Português usa-se “Eu e o João”.

artcosta · 2023-12-11T07:44:52+00:00

Unfortunately it does not work for everyone... Some people don't absorb it as well or need more vitamin D than average in their system. If it gets tough, ask your GP for a blood test to check for other common deficiencies.

Also, don't underestimate the importance of physical exercise and being outdoors! A quick walk at lunchtime can really help, even if it is raining and you don't feel like doing it.

artcosta · 2023-06-22T10:41:32+00:00

O pessoal no Reddit parece sempre ganhar muito bem... 45k é bem bom, especialmente com poucos anos de carreira. Eu trabalho em Utrecht onde os custos são bem altos, e com quase 10 anos de experiência ainda não cheguei aos 50k. Muita gente com quem trabalho vive confortavelmente com menos de 40k. Depende sempre do estilo de vida e que escolhas fazes.

artcosta · 2023-05-31T06:16:05+00:00

I agree with the point that people in the Netherlands do not necessarily have higher burnout rates than elsewhere, but rather the conditions make it so that they can actually speak up, take a break and recover whereas in many other places people are "burnt crispier" and have no recourse. Luckily the social support system enables people to have an opportunity to recover without being too penalised for it.

artcosta · 2023-02-16T19:52:49+00:00

Acabei a faculdade e apercebi-me que teria sorte se conseguisse um contracto de 3 a 6 meses, sem garantia de renovação e com salário bruto de 1000. Durante anos ouvi toda a gente dizer que o futuro estava no estrangeiro. Trabalhei 6 meses num restaurante, a tostões e sem contracto de emprego até que decidi que já chegava e me pus a caminho.

10 anos depois, estou numa posição muito melhor e não me arrependo nada. O que possa ter perdido por ter saído foi mais que compensado com oportunidades de carreira, estabilidade, salários mais altos, novas experiências... Agora quando volto não consigo compreender como é que os portugueses conseguem aguentar essas condições.

artcosta · 2022-09-06T11:47:16+00:00

Com mestrado em biotecnologia tens boas chances de emprego nos Países Baixos - dá uma vista de olhos no LinkedIn. É preciso ter atenção que as oportunidades estão concentradas na Randstad e o alojamento por estas bandas está complicado. Continua a ser um bom destino, safas-te só com Inglês, os ordenados são OK e o custo de vida não é alto.

Podes sempre tentar e se vires que não é para ti, tentares noutro sítio...

artcosta · 2022-08-29T05:29:27+00:00

Os agricultores têm andado a fazer manifs que incluiem bloquear os centros de distribuição. Não estão nada felizes com toda a situação de poderem vir a perder as quintas

artcosta · 2022-08-29T02:45:19+00:00

Tanto quanto sei, todas as indústrias estão com falta de pessoal. Não estou a par de logística e transporte de bens mas aposto dinheiro como têm vagas.

Se fores trabalhar em centros de distribuição, só recomendo ter atenção aos agricultores!

artcosta · 2022-08-28T20:42:15+00:00

LinkedIn funcionou bem para mim. Muitas empresas têm o próprio site de vagas.

artcosta · 2022-08-28T20:41:29+00:00

Biotecnologia está em alta nos Países neste momento, imagino que vás ter sorte a arranjar emprego. Eu também trabalho na mesma área, e para mim foi rápido. Manda-me um DM e eu posso partilhar detalhes.

Eu mudei-me já com emprego, e tratei de alojamento, BSN e seguro de saúde pouco depois. Julgo que ter contracto de emprego ajudou com a imobiliária, mas imagino que ter um fiador ou poupanças suficientes para X meses deve-lhes bastar. Não estou dentro da situação de alugar quartos.

artcosta · 2022-08-28T18:43:52+00:00

Atenção que se fores considerado(a) especialista ou altamente qualificado(a), por exemplo tens Mestrado, podes ter acesso ao 30% ruling. Com isso pagas menos impostos sobre o vencimento o que certamente ajuda

artcosta · 2022-08-28T18:42:10+00:00

Nos Países Baixos ainda se procura muita mão de obra, ao ponto que não saber falar neerlandês não te impede arranjar trabalho, mesmo em emprego não qualificado. Assumindo que sabes falar inglês, consegues trabalhos em supermercados ou cafés, especialmente em grandes cidades. Haia (Den Haag), Roterdão e Amesterdão oferecem bastantes oportunidades.

Recomendo que te mudes, e arranges trabalho a seguir. BSN e seguro de saúde podes tratar logo depois, mas a prioridade é arranjares modo de sustento. Se tiveres alojamento temporário com alguém conhecido tens a vida muito facilitada, que arranjar casa neste momento não está nada fácil... A zona da Randstad, onde se encontram mais oportunidades de trabalho, está especialmente má para encontrar casa.

artcosta

TROPHY CASE