When applying for postdoc funding, what are the consequences of backing out if I can get another position where funding is already secured?

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1,471

The key is to be open and honest. To answer the question lets define some terms. Let Prof X be a potential post doc supervisor who already has funding and Prof Y be a a potential post doc supervisor without any funding.

Prior to working on a funding application to Prof Y you need to discuss whether he expects you to put all your eggs in one basket or if he is okay with you applying for different jobs. There may be applications that Prof Y will not make with you or it might change the application strategy. For example, Prof Y may not list you as a named post doc so as not to cause problems with the funder if you do not take the position. The key is to be honest and up front.

If you have a application in with Prof Y and Prof X offers you a job, then you have problems. If it is close to the decision deadline for the funding with Prof Y, you may want to wait before starting with Prof X. Again you need to talk with Prof X. Maybe Prof X X needs you to start right away but instead of a 12 month commitment he only needs a 6 month commitment and maybe you can delay the start of the funding with Prof Y, if you get it.

In general, most people understands that a guaranteed job is important and will try and be flexible. That said if you have funding, you need to deliver the work you promised, and you don't want to apply for funding you cannot use.

1,471

gerrit

Updated on August 01, 2022

Comments

gerrit 10 months
When looking for a post-doctoral fellowship, I have, in a nutshell, two alternatives:
1. Apply to open positions, where money is already secured (at least for the beginning)
2. Apply together with a potential supervisor for funding agencies, such as NASA NPP, UCAR VSP, NRC, or one of the more generic funding agencies.
With option (2), I'd need to first convince a potential supervisor, then write a funding proposal to convince a funding agency. From a candidate's point of view, (1) is easier. On the other hand, there are a lot more options in (2) to try, than in (1). My question relates to option (2).

Two relevant calls for me close on 1 November and 10 January. Results are announced in February and March. I could apply to both, with different projects and different supervisors. While waiting for results, other opportunities, where funding is already secured (such as point (1)) may come along, and I'd apply to those too.

Is it unethical, unprofessional, or otherwise unwise, to apply to different programmes, with different supervisors, and still apply to immediately available positions while awaiting the result? Suppose that I find a postdoc elsewhere before even knowing the result of either funding application; can I then simply back out of the still-open funding applications without consequences, or should I expect this to cause severe annoyment with the host scientist I'd be applying with? After all, he or she would have invested a non-neligible amount of time in the proposal. I find it different then simply applying for different jobs, because time invested is much less. On the other hand, I don't want to have to wait until March, before hearing a negative result and having to start all over again.

I'd like to hear from senior scientists how they would look upon a fresh PhD who they'd spend time writing a post-doc proposal with, but who'd then back out for another position before the result is even announced.
- F'x over 9 years
  
  Whatever you do, be honest and upfront with all parties involved. And remember, if you stay in academia, these people will be colleagues in your field for the rest of your career, so don't alienate them just yet :)
- fedja over 9 years
  
  Plain and clear "NO" to the main question: since they do not guarantee acceptance, you are not obliged to restrict from applying anywhere else. However, as Fx said, you shouldn't hide this fact from any potential adviser and once you accept one position, it is a good idea to notify all other parties that you are no longer on the market immediately.
- fedja over 9 years
  
  The answer to the last question: the words I would say at the moment I get this news are "Damn, those bureaucrats are so slow that Alex stole an excellent student from under my nose again and now I have to think whom else to get! I should talk to the chair about how we can be more efficient in our postdoc recruitment. Fortunately, Mark mentioned that he has some good guy graduating. Should call him the first thing in the morning", provided that you followed the advice F'x gave :-).
- ThomasH over 9 years
  
  Depending on the type of proposal, even if you help your supervisor apply for it, you still might not be guaranteed to get an actual post-doc position in it as you might have to apply like any other person. So it would be foolish to put all your eggs in one basket. Oh, and also, what @F'x said!
- silvado over 9 years
  
  With option (2), will it be you who applies, or is the potential supervisor the formal applicant (or principal investigator) for the grant?
- gerrit over 9 years
  
  I don't know who would be the formal applicant, but it does appear to me that in case of succesfull funding, the position should be guaranteed (in other words, the supervisor first accepts the candidate, then the proposal gets written/submitted).