(This is a guest blog by Dr. John Ankers. Dr Ankers has a PhD in cell biology and mathematics (Systems biology), and is now a specialist biology tutor and academic coach at Woolton Tutors. You can read more about John's career journey in our case study here, published in collaboration with Research Careers at the University of Oxford.)

“So, what do you do?” is a question I used to dread. The job of a postdoctoral researcher often defines a transition rather than a role. The danger is we become defined by a position that isn’t really defined at all. The secret, I was told, is “hard work”. But telling a people-pleaser to work harder is like telling someone hoping for gold to walk faster to the end of a rainbow. Staying on track, defining who you are and what you want, needs balance.

And this is where a solid stepping stone outside can help.

So, what might your stepping stone be? Maybe a part time job (tutoring, writing, consulting) or a voluntary role, or something else entirely. In truth, it may not actually matter - let’s look at the some of the benefits in general:

Financial independence

Obviously, there may be a financial boost from some part-time roles outside of your research position, which may be enough of a reason on its own. But this also raises an important question: If you knew financial security and autonomy were guaranteed elsewhere, would that influence your next move?

Whatever your answer, you’ll probably learn something important. I started tutoring and science writing as a “job for now” during my postdoc. The irony is, it was the postdoc that was always temporary – and the stepping stones that provided something reliable and safe.

Perspective and time to think

Taking time away (physical or mental) from "the bench" allowed me to reflect. Are there any other ways of solving this research problem? What next? Distraction seemed to make the ideas flow more freely (there is research to back up such “Eureka! moments”).

One of the reasons universities like staff to have moved around, to have experience of "industry", is the fresh perspectives they bring back. Similarly, experience teaching, consulting, extracting DNA from tomatoes, bartending… can give you a surprising “out of postdoc” experience – a viewpoint on the issues from a few steps back.

New experiences

Depending on the position you choose, you might gain experience in public engagement, teaching/ tutoring, business management. Maybe all of these. A blend of experiences is useful for the well-rounded, impactful CV (which you’ve now had practice writing); feeling relevant outside of my project also boosted my confidence.  

The stepping stone might not even be a job – it might be something you’ve always wanted to do – joining a club or society, volunteering work, or setting up your own business. The important thing is that it’s completely different to whatever you do with a swipe card around your neck.

A change is as good as a rest

A mental break from research gives you the chance to see that the world doesn't cave in if you take some time away or stop thinking about your project for a few evenings a week. You may even get better at saying “No”.

Finding or adjusting your work/life balance can be a huge boost to mental well-being. A “rest”, in whatever form you take it, helps with focus, allowing postdocs to think about their lives, and their projects, separately and healthily.

Finding your stepping stone

Like all PhDs, you’re resourceful. Opportunities taken outside of your postdoc may free up your thinking, but they can also open new doors - contacts, career paths and options. But you still have to ask. Get used to putting yourself forward. Asking if your skills are useful elsewhere (they are) will be part of any career path you choose from now on.

There is no substitute for being proactive, assertive and polite. Academia is a broad church; people know people, but they aren’t’ always great at publicising opportunities. So, ask contacts in areas that interest you – ask friends, ask friends of friends - use LinkedIn, Facebook. See Prosper’s extensive list of case studies to inspire you.

About the author

Dr John Ankers has a PhD in cell biology and mathematics (Systems biology). He’s now a specialist biology tutor and academic coach at Woolton Tutors.