Basically I have been offered a RA role with my current supervisor for when I submit my thesis which I know is brilliant but the problem is the research is not really the area I am interested in and I doubt whether I will be able to do the job well. Also I am seriously doubting whether i even want an academic career. All i ever hear is about how little spare time academics have and how tough life is and to be honest I do want to have a family and have a normal life as well as a job. I am so scared about making the wrong decision and letting my supervisor down. I have no idea whether a 12 month RA academic post would be helpful if i then look for jobs outside of academia afterwards or if it will have just been a waste of time.

Any advice? :(

It is very, very, very difficult to get any type of employment at the minute and so if it were me I would take the job and, if I didn't like it, look for something else. That's just my take on it...

I agree with Delta. I'd take the job and if you end up really hating it or better things come your way deal with it then. Employment in any setting is so hard to come by at the moment that I don't think any of us can afford to look a gift horse in the mouth. Sad and rubbish I know, but that's the situation we're dealing with. And the contract's only for 12 months, so it's not like you're signing your life away. I'd say take it for now, just for the sake of having some certainty for after you're finished with your PhD. I don't think it will do your CV any harm even if you end up moving out of academia. Good luck!

I agree, unless you have other work actually lined up or a very clear idea of what else to do, I'd take the job. It's 12 months so not forever, but it allows you to earn a living - definitely no bad thing in the current climate - and get experience of employment at PhD-qualified level. I think even if you went to some unrelated work afterwards, a year of actual employment will add hugely to your post-PhD CV. And it's also very true that it's far easier to find a job if you're already in employment. Even if you don't enjoy it and decide academia isn't for you, it gives you some post-PhD breathing space to think about what you'd like to do long term.

Just to add another voice to the same opinion. You really don't want to be unemployed. It is FAR harder to get a job when unemployed and it is also obviously better to be being paid whilst you look for a job. Take the job offered and keep your eyes and ears open for other opportunities. You can leave at any time (probably with a couple of months notice) and you may find you enjoy it anyway. You don't want gaps on your CV!

As for the "it's so hard to do etc", it's the same with other jobs. You get plenty of people in non-academic jobs who are over worked. You also get plenty of academics who are not overworked. All it required is the ability to be disciplined with your working and know when to say "no I can't do that as I don't have time". I'm working as an RA and it's less hard work than my previous job in industry.

As a mother of two teenage children (and currently pregnant with my third), who has worked in industry and academia for over 18 years WITH a family, I'd say take the job. In my experience there is NO difference to post doc positions and those at the same level in industry, other than the fact that academia seems to be a little more flexible. You will work hard at both regardless. You will do long hours, sometimes conflicting with your family needs. It is a juggle with a family. Sometimes you get it right, sometimes you get it wrong. The fact that it is a postdoc position rather than one in industry is not relevant.

Go for it.

:-)

Thank you so much for all your replies. I can't tell you how much happier I feel about it all. I think I am just worrying too much about whether i am up to the task of the job but I guess I will never know until I find out! :)

Thanks

Sarah