Postdoc position: check!

Thursday, 14 January 2010 14:11

After a long period of preparations, planning and excitiment to find a proper postdoc lab and arrange a visit, I can finally say: it was all worth it!!! At the end of my trip, I was very fortunate to choose between the two labs of my first choice :)

My first job interview was at the Yale University and the second one in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania (Upenn). My visiting schedule at the UPenn was somehow different that in Yale. The night before my visit to the lab, the PI from UPenn arranged for me to have a dinner with some of the labmembers. I must say that this resulted in a very good first impression and me being less nervous about my presentation the next day. Both visits basically consisted of me giving a seminar about my previous work as a graduate student in the Netherlands, followed by several conversations with labmembers. People in both labs were enthusiastic about my seminar and about my work. I got the chance to discuss with people what they do, how this is related to my work and my future plans. At the end of both visits, the PI’s told me that they are really positive about my work, that they think I would fit within the exsisting group, and that therefore they would like to have me as a postdoc in their lab. However, while the PI at Upenn already had a funding to employ me, the PI at Yale appreciated if I could bring my own funding.

One of the important things I learned was that it is really important to be prepared for such a visit; I had read most of the papers published within the last year in the labs I visited. At least reading the abstract from the papers published already makes it easier to show your interest in what your conversation partners do; at least you already have a subject to discuss. Second, it was helpful that prior to my trip, I have made a list of things that were important for me in my future lab (equipment, funding, number of publications and journals where they are published, future perspectives of the postdoctoral fellows, collaborations with other labs, PI and his involvement in the lab, but also surroundings of the university and the town where it was located). I was determined to discuss these subjects with everyone I talked to in order to make the right decision.

However, first impressions really seem to be important. Philadelphia felt like home from the beginning. I had a very positive feeling about the lab, the people in the lab and the PI. Everything I had expected in my future working place was there. Besides, UPenn is a nice place to work as a postdoc and it is highly ranked in the list of the best universities and medical schools in the USA. Therefore, I think Upenn is good surrounding to get a proper training in order to develop myself as a scientist. Another important advantage of the lab in Upenn was that there was enough funding in the lab; this way I would not depend on my own grant from the Netherlands. And last but not least, Philadelphia is a great city with a broad range of cultural and social activities; vivid town is essential for me in order to work productively. Making the right choice was not too difficult…

Looking back, I realize that the first step in shaping my career was really important, namely sending an email to the PI’s and showing my motivation and enthusiasm, both in my email and during my visits. My motto “no guts, no glory” worked! I am really looking forward to starting my new job in Philly next year!! But first things first: finishing my thesis before the end of this year!!