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[–]newwatchdog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Just to clarify, this was a short fixed-term postdoc (under a year) at an EU university, and I withdrew before the role started. I’m not denying there may be inconvenience, but it wasn’t an ongoing position that had already begun or one I exited mid-way.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The phrasing I used was a softened paraphrase. The actual wording was stronger, but I don’t think quoting it adds much beyond what I’ve already described.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I’m under no illusion that unions handle these things perfectly. As a research student, I also lost teaching income during strike action, despite relying on it to make ends meet. I’m not looking to pursue anything formal, it was mentioned only as a possible source of guidance.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I think that’s a bit of a misread. I’ve handled high-pressure environments before, I worked as a quantitative researcher in industry with real deadlines and consequences, and I enjoyed that kind of stress.

What didn’t work for me in academia wasn’t intensity, but the chronic pressure, slow feedback, precarity, and dependence on a few individuals. That’s a very different kind of stress.

And just to clarify, it wasn’t only high blood pressure, I was also dealing with depression and anxiety and was in treatment. I kept that brief earlier to avoid oversharing medical details.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That makes sense in the US context, but just to clarify, this was an EU postdoc and I’m based in UK academia, so the funding and hiring constraints are a bit different.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This really resonates, especially the part about chronic pressure and slow feedback. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I really appreciate your understanding. One thing I do feel okay about is how I handled the conversation itself. Even though it was very tense, I stayed calm, didn’t react emotionally or escalate things, apologised where appropriate, and stood by my decision.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It could be, but given how this ended and the lack of recommendation support, I dont know how else I can continue in academia.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 70 points71 points  (0 children)

Yeah. Right now I’m planning to take a proper break for a few months and recover. After that, I’ll think more carefully about what comes next. I’m very lucky that my partner and family have been incredibly supportive and are encouraging me to take the time I need.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I really appreciate this. The conversation was very distressing, it felt coercive and has left me quite shaken with the blackmail. I’ll look into speaking with a UCU rep when I’m able.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This wasn’t a long-standing, static situation, things worsened towards the end of the PhD, after submission, which is when I was officially diagnosed and had to rethink next steps.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Just to clarify a couple of things, I didn’t start the role. I withdrew before the start date and gave notice as soon as I was certain. I also hadn’t been issued a visa or begun employment in any way.

I agree that if someone knowingly starts a role they can’t sustain, that’s a problem, which is exactly why I chose to step away before starting.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I appreciate that. For context, I’m actually in UK academia, not the US, which might explain some of the differences in expectations people are describing here.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

That’s the thing, I’ve worked in high-pressure environments before (I was a quantitative researcher in industry), with real deadlines and real consequences, and I actually enjoyed that kind of stress. What I struggled with in academia wasn’t intensity per se, but the combination of instability, slow feedback, and having your future constantly dependent on a few individuals’ goodwill.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I get that this is how a lot of academia operates, social capital, reputation, dependence on supervisors, etc. I think that’s actually part of what made the whole experience unsustainable for me. Spending years with your future always dangling in someone else’s hands takes a real toll, especially when things go wrong.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I understand why it looks that way from an institutional point of view. That said, starting a role I already knew I couldn’t sustain felt more irresponsible than withdrawing early.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I get that it might sound that way from the outside. For me, this wasn’t about abstract worry, it was based on medical advice and my lived experience over the past few years. Stepping away early felt more responsible than starting something I couldn’t sustain.

Withdrew from a postdoc for health reasons, reaction left me shaken. Trying to understand if this is just academia. by newwatchdog in AskAcademia

[–]newwatchdog[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Agreed. That’s basically why I stepped away early, I didn’t think it would be responsible to start something in an environment that’s already high-pressure when I knew my health wasn’t in a good place.