As some of you may remember me mentioning, I was fortunate to get to go abroad for just over a month this Summer and work in the lab of a very good researcher who is also a great mentor. We are still working together now as we write up the paper from the work I did when I was there. The thing is... I want to somehow continue working with her. But (as described in other threads on here...) I haven't been feeling as confident as usual or that I have got what I wanted from my PhD (in terms of academic socialisation mainly but also development of skills), and the PhD students in her lab are great (nevermind the postdocs), and these things are kind of holding me back from asking her about a doing a postdoc with her. Can anyone offer advice / share their story?

The bottom line is - I guess have nothing to lose by asking. And the funny thing about this forum is - I only have to write a post and I already feel like I can see things more clearly even before anyone replies! :D

TQ,

I just moved to Japan to start my postdoc. I lived in UK for 20 years before that. I would say go for it, depending of the conditions of the postdoc. Are you going to be paid reasonably? If so, give it a shot!

Moving abroad is always a nice experience. Initially I didnt feel like moving away, but now that Im here I am happy that I did. I can always go back to what I was doing before, but at least for two years I am guaranteed a nice salary among other bonuses.

Hey Mattfabb thanks for sharing (and congrats). In my situation though, the postdoc doesn't actually exist yet as far as I know... (much less have I been offered one!)

Ok, so you are considering it? Well, why not ask her then? Its better to plan these things early, especially if you are aiming to get external funding (like I did). It took me three attempts before I finally got my project funded.

If you got on well and are writing a paper together, she won't be offended if you ask and probably take it as a compliment you want to work with her. So just ask. You might have to work around funding but that is a normal.

I don't understand what is holding you back? If she has confidence in you to take you in for a month, mentor you and then write a paper with you, she definitely has confidence in you! Don't doubt yourself.

Yup, will do. Cheers all!

I asked. She's open to continue working with me but doesn't have funds / an upcoming grant that needs a postdoc. She has suggests me trying to get funding / a grant as a possibility. The thing is... US grants are for US citizens (which I am not). Does anyone know about UK grants that would allow you to postdoc abroad? Also, is this going to become so much harder once I finish my phD and am no longer a current student at a UK university?
It seems pretty complicated.