Hi,

I'm going to be looking for a post-doc or RA post starting in Jan. I was wondering, do most of the jobs start in Sep? I've had a look now and almost all are starting in Sep, and I'm wondering whether I'll miss the boat?

Thanks

My supervisor told me they start Sept and Feb, following funding acknowledgements. That's in biology but might be similar for you. Plus, you will often find things advertised mid year for adhoc funding or when people have quit their jobs and the positions are readvertised (generally shorter contracts).

That's when they start yeah, so they will be advertised earlier than this, I've seen them starting from April for Sept/Oct starts, but I've also seen a load recently for Sept/Oct starts, so I think it depends on when the supervisors get around to advertising the position.

For example, I've seen a teaching fellowship that I want to apply for, job ad ends 31st of July, job starts 1st of Sept - so not exactly much time to interview and for people to give notice to their employer!

I would advise you to keep looking - sign up to the job alters on jobs.ac.uk. There's still plenty about.