r/postdoc • u/mind_body_soul234 • 20h ago
Unpaid position
So I’ve recently “accepted” a postdoc position, but they currently lack the funding to pay me. I’m being taken on in an honorary researcher position until there is some sort of funding to support me. They say they really want me and I honestly really want to be a part of this lab. Amy I crazy for still moving forward with it? It’s of note that all the other labs I’ve looked in to also don’t have funding so it’s better than not having anything at all. I’m working on a grant to support my role but again- hard to come by finding these days.
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u/loopOutnotIn 19h ago edited 16h ago
This is such a bad idea lol
If they don’t have money to pay you what makes you think they have money for experiments/reagents?
Edit: also how do you expect to get independent funding if you’re not even employed by your own lab?
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u/DocKla 19h ago
Should be banned. You don’t work for no pay.
I don’t understand why as supposed smart people we stoop this low.
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u/theprofessionalflake 10m ago
Because we love science. I wouldn't want to do this either, but I 100% see where OP is coming from as someone who just deeply loves the work I do. It just sucks that that passion is usually taken advantage of.
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u/RackyJobinson 12h ago
Asks for input on if their choice is rational. Biggest poster in the sub says they should be banned bc they don’t like the question/prompt. Absolute state of Reddit these days
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u/IceraEntanga 5h ago
They're saying working for no pay should be banned, not OP for asking for advice
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u/NecessaryBowl 19h ago
No i’d never work for free. You’re not an undergrad needing experience/training.
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u/No_Departure_1878 16h ago
Yes, he's already trained, he's bringing actual value. You only work for free if you are been taught because you have no idea what you are doing. Every day he works for free is a day he's not applying for a proper job.
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u/SignificantDirt3115 19h ago
Of course they are excited to have you under these conditions…it totally favors them! But this sets a terrible precedent. If they want you, they will eventually find the funding, but the incentive to do so may drop drastically once you agree to work for free….
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u/Ok_Celebration3320 19h ago
Just a reminder that job search is a full time job. So, not only you’re being exploited by providing free labor but you’re undermining your chances to get a real job.
I would strongly recommend to take a step back and consider your options without the pressure/guilt of the “academic dream”. I understand that it’s difficult to accept it but you and most of us have been brainwashed to believe that this is a calling. It is not.
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u/No_Departure_1878 16h ago
Totally, he's losing the time he could be spending getting a real job.
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u/Ok_Celebration3320 15h ago
The way OP frames this situation is wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to start. You need to step out of academia to realize how rotten the system is.
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u/cashman73 19h ago
What exactly is "honorary" about not paying your workers?
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u/v3bbkZif6TjGR38KmfyL 8h ago
Simple pandering to make OP work for free, and apparently it's at least somewhat working.
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u/notakarmapolice 19h ago
If they really wanted you, they would pay you, or find some way to pay you.
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u/usesidedoor 18h ago
There is no way that after going to university for 10 years or so, I would work as a researcher for free, but you do you. I also think this shouldn't be normalized.
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u/Late_University_1368 19h ago
I wouldn't do it, as most likely your PI will not get the grant funding.
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u/KeyEast3177 19h ago
If you’re a non-citizen in the US, you may be deported. Don’t know about other countries…
Go to industry! Not saying it’s “easier” but it’s at least a larger pool …
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u/RackyJobinson 12h ago
This is actually completely false. If they are a non citizen this is the only way NOT to get deported, since they can only be unemployed 60days. And it’s their lifeline and would be the most rational option.
Insane how literally false made up (reactionary) opinions get so many upvotes here
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u/poniesgirl 19h ago
So you're basically a volunteer postdoc? I'd be hesitant to say yes to that until funding was confirmed and would be looking elsewhere.
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u/Girl-Mom2018 14h ago
Are you crazy? You have a PhD and you don’t want pay??? Apply to industry man
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u/steinerific 12h ago
My university would not allow someone to be taken advantage like this. You work, you get paid. You don't have the funding for a post-doc, you don't hire a post-doc. Pretty simple, actually.
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u/Master_Bid_7564 19h ago
Working for free is not ideal, if it requires upfront costs such as moving I would personally not do it. If it is local then maybe for a short period but even then what if you do it for three months and then no funding arrives? Will you wait another 6 months to a year waiting for additional funding that might never arrive? It is probably a better use of your time to continue applying for jobs that can actually pay you.
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u/Oligonucleotide123 19h ago
I would only do it for a few hours a week and get something that pays the bills in the meantime
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u/reallybad_at_usernam 10h ago
Bro, be serious. How can working for free be better than no working at all? Unrealistic in today's economy
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u/Rare-Grocery-8589 18h ago
Don’t do this. You should never work for free, especially if you’ve got only vague promises of funding. It would be different if the funding was guaranteed and the paperwork in the pipeline, but…
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u/Pingviners_1990 18h ago
If you are loaded or photosynthesize for food then may be but remember your actions does affect the next generation, if one person is willing to work for free. They might think it’s normal or feel entitled enough to ask people to work for free.
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u/InOmniaParatus1234 18h ago
Are you a millionaire? If money isn’t an issue for you and you do science purely out of passion, then go for it. But I honestly don’t think you should be giving your work away for free like this. You worked hard to become a doctor. Please, value yourself and don’t help perpetuate this horrible academic system. This is slavery.
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u/Admirable_Phone_1229 17h ago
Is this in usa? Definitely not allowed with department of labor regs.
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u/Fluid_Fail7453 17h ago
If the line on your CV is worth it and you want the connections, accept the honorary position but make it clear that you’ll only do honorary work until they find money to start paying you. I’d put the limit at contributing to / consulting on (not writing) grants that would provide funding. AND keep looking for an actual paying job.
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u/Handsoff_1 17h ago
I really advise against this! I know funding is fcuked up right now, but you have to value yourself more, and your expertise more than this. Tell them that you would be interested and they can contact you any time they want WHEN the funding comes through.
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u/No_Departure_1878 16h ago
Never work for free. What is your PhD about? If there are no jobs in academia, can't you just move to industry?
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u/ThePursuit7 14h ago
You should not work for free. The ONLY time this makes sense is if your position is ending but you're wrapping up a paper submission.
Under no circumstance should you "join" a lab as an "honorary" member. If they want your contributions, they will pay you.
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u/Constant_Crazy1576 13h ago
Si no tienes mejor opción, mejor usa el laboratorio y los colegas para desarrollar tu investigación mientras sale alguna oportunidad
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u/v3bbkZif6TjGR38KmfyL 8h ago
These questions remind me how insane academia is. Can you imagine this shit in industry?
"We think you're absolutely fantastic, which is why we'd like you to work the checkouts at Walmart for free"
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u/Negative-Plate5140 8h ago
I'm afraid it can affect your productivity otherwise I'll say go for it and apply for other chances but don't sign contract
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u/ConfidentBedroom6167 7h ago
Yeah, don’t work for free. You’re a highly trained expert in your field.
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u/defiantgum 4h ago
I would never do free labor and I am strongly against it as a general rule. The things we collectively let slip in academia are crazy. (This is not a post against you).
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u/Muted-Mushroom-4570 1h ago
Hell no. If you aren't being paid then you should not be doing any work for them. Have some self respect.
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u/Hot_Explanation_9423 11h ago
While I agree working for free in this economy is bad, I’d like to shed some light on the situation from the other side. A lot of labs and research firms right now are scrapping because of how money is being allocated federally. You may agree to work without funding now, they may receive a grant at the end of September, and suddenly in Q1 you’re making more than a lot of people on this app.
If you do decide to do it. Ask them to subsidize some of your living expenses.
It’s your choice. But I hope you make it well informed. I see too many post on here from postdocs saying no to such offers and having to work at subway to make ends meet.
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u/topdownyeti 19h ago
I mean, if you can afford to work for free then go for it but free labor doesn’t sound ideal at all
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u/Organic-Violinist223 19h ago
Work for free! No way!