Hi all,

Sorry in advance if this post is a bit vague. I'm feeling a bit lost and would appreciate some guidance from current post-docs in humanities subjects.

I'm applying for post-doc positions from this coming Oct onwards, and I'm starting to think about a research proposal idea. I know post-doc research should build on your thesis in some way but I have no idea about how big the project should be (although I know it can vary).

My current idea is to combine material from my thesis with new material, gathered over two years, in order to produce a large-ish book, written up in the third year. However, I have no idea whether my proposal is too broad/ambitious. My current feeling is that my thesis, on its own, is too niche to justify a book.

I know I should talk to my supervisor but, while they are on holiday, do any post-docs here have any advice about post-doc projects? Is the post-doc project expected to be significantly more demanding (or even more original) than a PhD topic? Am I being too ambitious in saying I can complete a large book?

Thanks a lot for your help!

I think it's different in the sciences. We would generally apply for an advertised postdoc position, unless we have some really good data and papers from our PhD and then we could apply directly for an early career fellowship. We wouldn't necessarily be continuing with our PhD work. I think a postdoc project can be similar to a PhD but you would expect to achieve more as you would be more experienced.

Thanks for your response. It makes sense that you'd be expected to be able to do more. I'm just having trouble figuring out what the yardstick is. Someone's suggested to me that I write a few different abstracts and see what my sup thinks is the most viable project.