Hi Everyone,

Wanting some advice and wondering if anyone can help?

I've got 14 months left until I have to submit my thesis which seems like ages away but I know it'll come round really quickly! Anyway, in trying to be pro-active I have been considering career options and think I would like to pursue a career in academia. I think the best way to get into my subject area (and what I would prefer to do) is to do a postdoc. I just wondered when I should start applying? Or making contact with perspective universities? I think I will also have to seek out funding as my subject is quite specialist (I have never seen a lectureship or fellowship advertised for it!).

Any thoughts peeps? Thanks, Hannah

I should think that depends on which part of the world you're in. As far as I know postdoc fellowships tend to get advertised around September/October in the Southern Hemisphere, where I am, but you can start sounding out institutions and people you want to work with before then.

I'd be keeping an eye out even now if I were you, given the unique nature of your research.

By 'seek out funding' do you mean get someone to take on a grant for you (i.e. you write it they send it) rather than looking for an advertised post? If that's the case I would start putting out feelers to likely names now and see if they're interested as you'd want to submit the grant next year in order to start asap after submission (this is what I will probably be doing myself next year - also no hope of seeing an advertised post especially as I can't move).

as early as possible.. seems like a good plan to start up.

This is a good time to start making your move. Although the deadlines for things are probably a few months away, you need to plan. Work out what you want to do, identify people you want to work with and places where you want to work.

Thanks for the advice guys. I will get on it then...scope out the universities and departments!