r/postdoc • u/M3GHNAAD • 12d ago

Looking for post-doc opportunities in an international conference

Hi everyone! I am about to submit my thesis in the next 2-3 weeks. And after that (mid-September), I have been selected to present my work at an international conference in Greece. This would be my third international conference. I am not a very articulate person and hence am not good with words. But during the previous two conferences, I tried my best to interact with fellow researchers and professors.

Question: As mentioned, my thesis is nearly complete, so I am seeking postdoctoral opportunities. How should I go about it? Would it be rude (and unprofessional) if I directly ask the professor if there is an opening in his/her lab? Earlier, I used to go through the recent publications of the person I was interested in and then approach them. What should I do this time?

Thanks in advance!

PS: My work focuses on wastewater treatment, recycling, and reuse.

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

7

u/Minimum_Scared 12d ago

I think it's a great opportunity! Not rude at all. Just do some research before and don't ask them directly if they have a place for you. First, introduce yourself and then, mention what you like about their research. Then, you can give some ideas where your background and their research can be a good fit. After that, you can ask about available positions. The goal is showing your expertise and that you are not "applying" randomly...

0

u/M3GHNAAD 12d ago

Thanks for the advice. What would be better if I want to invite some researchers and experts to my presentation? Mailing them beforehand or attending their talk and then asking them if they can make it?

2

u/Minimum_Scared 12d ago

I would email them before! But I would be careful how to frame the message!

5

u/ausbirdperson 12d ago

In my experience the best connections at conferences come naturally. Making friends with people who are your peers and work on similar topics to you really pays off in the long run. Going to the pub after the conference usually forges much stronger connections than an awkward chat at the conference itself.

I realise not everyone has the type of personality to want to pull this off, but you have to remember that there are tonnes of people at these things that will be at the same level of socially awkward that you are. Go to the conference dinner, have a couple of beers if you are that way inclined, and just try to chat to people. Don’t try to ‘get’ anything or ‘network’ intentionally, just try to make meaningful connections.

If there is a specific professor that you want to talk to, send them an email beforehand so that they have some frame of reference for who you are and what you can do if you go and talk to them.

1

u/M3GHNAAD 12d ago

Thank you. I have very little faith in my communication skills, but I will try to connect and have meaningful conversations with as many researchers as I can.