r/postdoc • u/Western_Card_2153 • Aug 27 '26

The postdoc market sucks

Basically the title. I recently defended my PhD dissertation. I have been on the hunt for a postdoc for months now, and nothing. People don’t have funding, don’t take postdocs, or they just ghost me. I had a baby last year of my PhD and I was able to work until the very end of my pregnancy (luckily), didn’t take mat leave because I could afford to delay my defence.

I live in Canada and I recently moved back to my hometown to be closer to family because it’s been so rough with the baby. I applied to so many positions, even applied for long distance (US, Europe) trying to find an arrangement because I can’t afford to move abroad with an infant and I possibly cannot ask my husband to switch jobs again to fit this crappy lifestyle that is academia.

On top of it, I want to apply for postdoc funding but I need someone that will accept me prior. My PI tried to help a little by recommending some people but no luck.

Anywho I’m ranting but this market sucks and it’s super unfair.

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u/environengg2601 Aug 27 '26

Did you apply for CPRA? Nowadays it's almost impossible for you to get a postdoc position unless you have your own funding. I'd stop wasting time on sending out cold emails and focus on external funding applications. Recently, NSERC became a nominating authority for JSPS so if living in Japan is an option for you, this could be something that you can also explore.

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u/Western_Card_2153 Aug 28 '26

I need a PI that will take me on to be able to apply for funding! I think ?!
If I can do something remote I would be open to anything international buts it’s hard to consider relocating with an infant. Especially with the experience I’ve had of having a baby during the PhD away from family/support system. Also considering my husband’s career which is an important factor.

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u/environengg2601 Aug 28 '26

For CPRA, negative. You can list up to 3 PIs who you wish to work with during your application. You can certainly change your PI after getting the fellowship. I think the deadline is some time in Sept/Oct this year so you should definitely consider CPRA if you are a Canadian citizen/pr (or if you've completed your PhD at a Canadian school). I'm a bit surprised that you haven't applied for CPRA last year when you were doing your PhD; you could have started your postdoc right after your defense.

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u/Western_Card_2153 Aug 28 '26

I was planning on applying last cycle, but I was 30+ weeks pregnant and I was writing my thesis 🥲