Hello all,

After four years of hard work, I finally submitted my thesis. OK I won't say that I was sad after submitting because it was the nicest moment in my last four years.
Any way, after one month, am still waiting for my viva, and I started to think a lot as you can imagine.

OK to cut it short, I feel lost and I would really appreciate any advices on the post doctoral life, is there any one out there got one? please help :$

I do find the following subjects confusing:
first and sorry if it sounds stupid, what are the responsibilities of a postdocs?
2-I have difficulties in critical analysis of papers (Biomedical sciences), do you have any advices on how to master that?

3-Any tips on the VIVA day?

4-Job hunting tips, I read the graduk (now vitae) website and it is very helpful, but am just guessing real life is not always ruled by what is in books.

5-Any tips how to be a successful postdoc? what are the typical obstacles
? I don't know any postdocs, so I'm really scared if it is like the PhD, cause mine was difficult and although I think you can only learn by doing but, some tips and ideas might help as well. Any good book on the life of postdocs?

I found a link in science magazine about cover letters for postdocs very funny and interesting, it helped me a lot.

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2002_09_20/noDOI.12222734545244148861



Looking forward to hear from you ,-)

hello again,

These are general questions, I'm sure if you read you thesis again you will find the answers in the introduction or in the conclusion and future work etc.. it is just you are nervous now, try to relax, you submitted your thesis so you are able to reply to these questions for sure.
good luck ;-)

======= Date Modified 05 Nov 2009 12:35:13 =======
Hello Sherlockholmes,

thanks for the reply, but am not from England and it is the first time I actually have to apply for a job, we have completely different system back home. when I read job related websites I felt intimidated and thought it would be nice to see a good example of cover letters!!!

But your advice make sense, I will write one soon.

Hello all,
am in the same situation, submitted in September and I don't even know when the viva date is, it is so frustrating, as am not from UK and decided not to go home, cause I was told "I will have the viva soon". My visa will expire and I want to apply for postdoc jobs, but I feel there are so much to learn, as in my home country we don't write CVs, cover letters etc.

Does any one have any sample postdoctoral cover letters?

I read some interesting articles in Science and Nature about how to choose a best postdoc...etc, I think there are so much to do and to learn. I think the only cure for this situation is to seriously look for jobs.

it is so difficult, the pressure is so much, instead of enjoying the submission I found my self worrying again.
:-(:-(:-s

Go to your supervisor and ask him for advice, it is simple answers not too complicated, just to show you know what you did.

Shut down PC, turn off TV, don't read any subject related to your project.
Make a nice fresh meal, take a long bath and go to bed as early as possible, may be 9?
I was in your situation last month, slept at 9:30 and woke up 8 am refreshed.

Hope this will help you.

Hello,
Does any one has a sample cover letter in the Biomedical Sceinces? I would really appreciate it. If not do you have any suggestions of a good website for postdocs? or tips on how to write a good cover letter, and find a post doc job.

thanks, :$

======= Date Modified 08 Nov 2009 16:11:35 =======

hi scamp, i have the same problem exactly , and am exactly like you,
i can not help it, it is getting deeper and deeper every day , it is very difficult, and i make every excuse to talk to him or be close to him , i guess they know it , and they know they have to act nice cause other wise you will hate them , so they will be nicer to you , which makes it even harder for us to get over it, the thing is the only reason i live for now is a look from his eyes, i can not stop that feeling , although like you , i respect marriage etc but i always all the time think of him , and i even compare any guy who is interested in me to him , and reject them .