Postdocs

[LFTy810]

Does anyone know of accurate sites that list postdoc opportunities by field? (For instance, something analogous to the academic wikis that list teaching positions.)

[rising_star]

The Academic Jobs Wikia page does have a page for humanities and social science postdocs. That's the only one I know of. Good luck!

[TakeruK]

What field are you in? In case it's relevant to you or another person reading this, here is the astronomy one: http://www.astrobetter.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=Rumor+Mill(there's a link to the Faculty job version from that page too).

[LFTy810]

@rising_star: Thank you! I didn't even see that link on the wiki.

@TakeruK: I'm in communications, far from you

[rising_star]

You might also look at all the typical job sites, as sometimes postdocs are posted there. I know a lot of postdocs are posted on Higheredjobs.com, for example. I'd imagine key listserves in your discipline will also feature job postings.

[fuzzylogician]

In my field, postdocs are sometimes posted on the wiki and sometimes on our field-specific websites*: 

http://linguistlist.org/jobs/index.cfm

http://www.linguisticsociety.org/jobs-center

 

Your field might have similar professional organizations that keep this information on their websites. Other (competitive) postdocs might be advertised at a university level so it's important to watch out for those emails that you sometimes get forwarded by administrators. And sometimes you just have to google and go on individual websites for some fellowships that don't do a good job advertising. It's normally also helpful to have your advisor get in touch with people at places that might be interesting for you to inquire about a postdoc. Sometimes funding can be found even if they weren't planning on hiring anyone. Last year I also cold-emailed some relevant people myself, and some of those emails did lead to interviews and offers. It's worth a try.

 

* This is true mostly for North America and some jobs in Europe. I'm not sure all relevant postdocs or jobs in Europe/Asia/elsewhere are listed there. 

[TakeruK]

Oh, I forgot to mention job databases run by your discipline's national society (e.g. American Astronomical Society for me). And from talking to people doing hiring, like in the "real world", a large portion of academic jobs are not actually advertised and you can go quite far with cold-calling/emailing as fuzzy suggested. My high school career advisor often said that more than 80% of jobs are not advertised! (but I don't know where they got that % from ) 

 

I talked to one HR person that says posting official jobs is a huge nightmare (they have to justify why they make no hire if there is no fit). So, it's often the case that they will "scout" for an (or more than one) ideal candidate first, and then put the job offer up (and then invite their ideal candidate(s) to apply). This way, they are sure to get at least one (or more) person they would actually want.

 

All of this really really underscores the importance of networking** in academia (so that when people are looking to hire, they will think of you) and having a supportive advisor that will be your champion when it's time for you to go on the market. 

 

(** I feel that the people that tell us to network are really aggressive because some (many?) academics are not used to / naturally willing to network.)