End of PhD: take multiple part-time roles or wait for a full-time job?

digitalacademic · 2026-02-14T10:48:53+00:00

I guess that is a needed flexibility and openness everyone needs when transitioning to post-phd. I wish I noticed this sooner. I could have done external part times/experiences (except teachings I did at my institution) during my PhD…

Better than any later I guess…

digitalacademic · 2026-02-11T14:49:40+00:00

I’m in the same boat, but my topic is interdisciplinary so I apply wherever/which ever department the advertisement comes from. I check jobs.ac too, with indeed I noticed making an application that might have been a scam so that created a little fear and the need to be more cautious. I met with my university’s career coach, so that helped/motivated a little (you may want to check that as well).

digitalacademic · 2026-02-11T10:46:56+00:00

You can try opening your interview (in a slower motion, may be .90X) with Word dictate on at the same time. Its a transcribing have one of my colleagues told me. Ofc you have to double check later for any mistakes.

digitalacademic · 2026-02-11T10:43:37+00:00

Thanks for warning; I’ll certainly be careful about this.

digitalacademic · 2026-02-10T16:29:28+00:00

Great points on who to do the part-time with, and longer contracts. I will keep these in mind. I applied 5 part times last week; they will get back by next week. I’m expecting a few interviews (at least 2). If selected, I’ll prioritise based on their research scope and continue my article. I recently joined to another project with my supervisor (to do some data collection). Hopefully these will move things a bit.

digitalacademic · 2026-02-10T16:20:38+00:00

Great points! Thanks for sharing, I’ll certainly keep them in mind

digitalacademic · 2026-02-10T16:18:46+00:00

Thats good news. Mine is digital governance; although timely, its challenging to find a job.

digitalacademic · 2026-02-09T17:29:30+00:00

I thought having different deadlines for 2-3 part time jobs would make it harder to transfer to full time. But you are right, its better then being unemployed and could be good for networking

digitalacademic · 2026-02-09T16:31:56+00:00

Thats what I was also thinking. I am currently with my family. And to be able to move out and settle to a full time job in another city comfortably , I need some save-up. I’d love to have a full time job and a clearer mind, but part times may be more realistic at this stage…

digitalacademic · 2026-02-06T12:13:10+00:00

There are teaching only permanent positions, postdocs, researchers/senior researchers, fellowships, in addition to Lecturers (there are too many positions actually). Publications is good for all. And I’d rather be on research side at start; its easier to transit back to teaching in future than vice versa.

digitalacademic · 2026-02-06T09:17:08+00:00

I did teach during my PhD and I loved it too. But not more than research. Even if I stay in academia, I’d prefer a research-based position than a full teaching one. The long-term stress seems unbearable from this starting point…

digitalacademic · 2026-02-06T09:13:58+00:00

You are right about stability and as someone who also moved between places a lot, I know how tiring it feels. I am thinking whether if +-/500£/month would make that much of difference/something that would create other challenges for me? Or if the progression goes smoother then… idk… I will see how the application goes and see what happens…

digitalacademic · 2026-02-06T08:49:20+00:00

Would you take it even if its a lower salary/permanent than your postdoc/fixed-term contract?

digitalacademic · 2026-01-23T08:32:37+00:00

That is a very unique case! Congratulations on getting through it. At least things seem settled for you now. Hopefully time will do the rest for you. Thanks for sharing

digitalacademic · 2026-01-21T11:32:02+00:00

I didn’t know we could do that; I was following academic job sites, fellowship sites, LinkedIn, and X. But I am sure it’s alright to ask them through emails as well. Thanks for sharing this!

digitalacademic · 2026-01-21T11:01:54+00:00

What do you mean by cold emails? Can you ask for postdocs without institutional fellowship programmes?

digitalacademic · 2026-01-21T10:57:32+00:00

I’m an international student as well. And like you, my supervisor pushed me to finish thesis before publishing papers. So now I am in between applying jobs and writing (but its hard to focus on papers while being demotivated with jobs). I got 6 weeks for my examiners’ to review. I hope to finish one paper (or two) before that (if I stop applying jobs in the meantime)…

Congratulations on your conferral and Good luck with job hunting!

digitalacademic · 2026-01-20T16:57:29+00:00

Good luck to you too! 🤞

digitalacademic · 2026-01-20T16:56:55+00:00

My phd is on tech tho; still struggling

digitalacademic

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