Jeremy, Think of it this way, *post-doc 1* is going to pay you to learn new skills. Is *post-doc 2* too going to permit you to add to your skill set? To echo what Robin said, keep in mind the time-frame of a typical postdoc (1-3 years). With your vastly expanded skill-set you could seek a (relatively) more permanent faculty position with the geographical attributes that you desire.
And to echo Lionel (and this is reminiscent of my choice of the post-doc position I am currently in), *post-doc 1* is your proverbial 'bird in the hand'. Like you said you have the 'right of refusal' for *postdoc-1*. At this point you have nothing for *post-doc2*. Good luck, Milind Bunyan On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:07:37 -0400, Robin Warne <[email protected]> wrote: >Hi Jeremy, > >I am a postdoc currently. Lionel's advice is very sound; the job market >at both the post-doc and faculty level are very competitive. I would >add, that if you end up having a choice that your decision should be >largely based upon your ultimate goals. If you are aiming for a faculty >position at a research university, than you should choose the post-doc >that will provide you with the best prospects for high productivity; not >to mention provide you with the tools and experience that will allow you >to do the science you see yourself doing for the next 3-5 years (and >beyond). In this context the higher salary and comfort is less >relevant, because they only last for 1-3 years (which fly by very quickly). > >But these points only matter if you have a choice. > >Best of luck, >Robin Warne > >Lionel Pawlowski wrote: >> Dear Jeremy, >> >> I had the privilege to be both post-doc and recruiter for post-doc. >> There's no straight answer to that because it also depends on the job >> market in field of research. >> >> In your position, I would accept post-doc 1 if the job market is bad >> and you find the offer suitable. If on that market, that offer is not >> that great in terms of location, perspective and salary, I would >> decline the offer on post-doc 1 and rather wait to see the result from >> post-doc 2. But keep in mind that higher salary may increase the >> competition for this position. >> >> If you want to play it safe, you should consider accepting post-doc 1. >> If you think you can have better, you should consider waiting for >> post-doc 2 and apply for post-docs 3,4,5 in the meantime... >> >> About asking for some delays for offer 1, you can try. But it's always >> a mess to deal with, from my perspective of recruiter, with people >> asking delays in a world where projects have deadlines. Some >> recruiters don't like that (because it means you are actually seeking >> for something better), some other don't mind. >> >> Good luck >> >> Lionel >> >> >> >> >> 2010/3/19 Jeremy L. Conkle <[email protected]>: >> >>> I am completing my PhD this spring and have been applying for post-docs. I >>> have a dilemma and I would like to ask the all knowing ECO-LOG if they have >>> some good advice for me. >>> >>> I have been offered one post-doc (we will call it *post-doc 1*) doing >>> research that is in line with what I do, and also will expand my knowledge >>> base drastically. However, I have also recently interviewed for another >>> post-doc (which we will call *post-doc 2*) that will also be great for me >>> and is closer to family and in a place I would love to live. It also pays >>> almost 2x as much. Basically *post-doc 2* is my first choice, but *post-doc >>> 1* is also a great option. >>> >>> The professor at *post-doc 1* needs an answer asap, because the position >>> needs to be filled soon. He gave me time to figure out *post-doc 2* or until >>> he found another suitable candidate. He found another candidate and now >>> needs an answer, so he is giving me first right of refusal. I won't >>> officially hear back from *post-doc 2* until early April. I sent the >>> researcher I interviewed with at *post-doc 2 *an e-mail to explain my >>> situation and to ask him let me know if I was at least still being >>> considered for the position. That way I could make a decision on *post-doc >>> 1*. I haven't heard back yet from my e-mail to *post-doc 2 *and I don't >>> want to leave the *post-doc 1* professor hanging and potentially miss out on >>> both opportunities. >>> >>> Do you have any suggestions. I have been told that I should just accept >>> *post-doc 1* and then back-out if I get *post-doc 2*. I am not sure if this >>> is the best course of action and I wanted to get some feedback? I was >>> thinking I should just send the *post-doc 1 *professor an e-mail explaining >>> my situation and ask for a few more days while I wait for *post-doc 2 *to >>> respond to my e-mail. >>> >>> Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. >>> >>> Jeremy Conkle >>> -- >>> Jeremy Landon Conkle >>> PhD Candidate >>> Wetlands & Aquatic Biogeochemistry Lab >>> Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences >>> Energy, Coast & Environment Bldg, Rm 3221 >>> Louisiana State University >>> p 225.578.1123 f 225.578.6423 >>> [email protected] >>> >>> Lab Website: >>> http://www.ocean.lsu.edu/whitelab/index.html >>> >>> MER Website: >>> http://www.ocean.lsu.edu/mer/ >>> >>> >=========================================================================
