Published online 26 November 2008
Postdoc journal
Calm before the storm
Jon Yearsley
Jon Yearsley is a lecturer at University College Dublin's school of biology and environmental science.
Postdoc-turned-lecturer enjoys calm before the storm.
When I started, I wasn't sure what my new department was expecting of me. Would I immediately be asked to perform like the other permanent academic staff, deftly juggling teaching and research commitments while simultaneously balancing administrative responsibilities? Day one did begin with the inevitable admin, but with secretaries' help it was quickly done, causing minimal stress.
I braced myself for the second wave of work. Instead, I received more time — time I used to think about my research. I pinched myself, but the free time didn't go away. I had time to plan how I'm going to teach maths-phobic students about mathematical modelling and time to apply for funding. There might even have been time for a cup of tea, if our common room wasn't due for demolition.
I think this initial calm is the opportunity to set my research direction within the department for the next few years. I do not expect it to last. So I am using the time to foster local collaborations, submit funding proposals, advertise myself to seminar organizers and even plan the lectures that will eventually compete with my research for time and attention.
Perhaps I should feel guilty when I see Paul scurrying to another lecture, or Carl looking exhausted after a night of proofreading his student's thesis. But I don't. Because I know my time will come.
Postdoc Journal Keepers 2008
-
Jon YearsleyJon Yearsley is a senior postdoc in evolutionary genetics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
-
Zachary LippmanZachary Lippman is a postdoctoral fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's faculty of agriculture.
-
Amanda GohAmanda Goh is a postdoctoral fellow in cell biology under the Agency of Science, Technology and Research in Singapore.
-
Aliza le RouxAliza le Roux is a postdoctoral fellow in animal behaviour at the University of Michigan.
