Postdoc Life: Expectation vs Reality

Expectation: It’s the same as a PhD

Reality: It’s a lot more independent

It seems silly to say it now but I had expected a postdoc to just be an extension of a PhD. I already felt quite independent towards my final year and had expected more of the same. The reality is a lot more independence and original thinking, and I’ve surprised myself by finding it a positive change. I feel like I’m actually a fully-fledged researcher now as opposed to training for it!

For example, in my next study, I’ve been given an initial idea from the funding proposal but I’m responsible for determining the study design, best methods for addressing the question, undertaking the required training, writing the ethics application and working out the realities of the study. This is much more self-led than in a PhD project, which can be scary, but also means you can really shape a project with your ideas and interests, which I am really enjoying. Once you start, you’ll probably realise that you were ready for the stabilisers to come off anyway.

Expectation: You are totally independent

Reality: You research within a project team

The PhD is training you to be an independent researcher. So, I thought that meant that after my PhD I would be working totally alone. Luckily I was wrong! Due to funding allocations, it is common in the UK for your PhD to be relatively standalone with just you and your supervisors. For a postdoc to be involved, the project is automatically bigger and often has a whole team of researchers including professors, PhD students and undergraduate / Masters-level projects. Whilst this can be intimidating at the start, it’s a great chance to collaborate with other researchers and contribute to a bigger project with real-world impact. You’re still an independent researcher and are usually responsible for a specific part of the work, but it is within a bigger picture.

Expectation: You have to work harder

Reality: You have to work smarter

I had assumed that going up a stage in my career meant that the work would get harder. Again, very happy having been proven wrong here! It’s hard to explain but there is a real shift in the focus of your work — you’re responsible for more of the research and you’re trusted to complete this to a high standard. This means that whilst the work is not necessarily harder, you need to take more time to consider it from all angles and to check through it as you don’t have the level of supervision you did as a student.

You’re also approaching your work in a different way. A brilliant postdoc recently explained it to me like this: “As a PhD student, you become a parent and your project is your baby. As a postdoc, you’re the babysitter. You care for the baby, you look after the baby, but you’re not ultimately the parent. Also, you’re probably doing a group babysitting session with three or four babies on the go so you just can’t be a parent to all of them!” This has really helped me step away from the attachment and detail of a PhD to the more overarching research that is required of a postdoc. You don’t have to work harder, you have to work smarter.

Expectation: You will have loads of money

Reality: You have more money . . . but only just

From my days on the PhD stipend, I thought that the salary would go a lot further on a postdoc but the key difference is that you’re now paying tax, National Insurance, student loans and a pension. Sad times! Whilst there is still a step up in your take-home pay, this isn’t necessarily as big as people expect when starting a new postdoc. Most universities have a banding / grading system so your pay will automatically go up as you gain more experience but this means that while you’re starting out it may not go as far as you expect. Essentially more money is going into your pocket, and maybe you can treat yourself to a few nice things, but we’re a long way off shopping in M&S!! One day!

Whilst the money may not be everything you had dreamed of, postdoc life is pretty great: You’re an independent researcher able to design and shape your own projects; you’re working within a research team on a project you’re passionate about, and no one can put a price on that! I pledge to remember that the day I can finally do my food shop in M&S!

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