Hey all,
I am currently at University of Alberta and have had most of my research career extended in the UK and in Canada. In my field, suddenly things exploded in Europe and I have a good offer (~37kp) from MMU. My current lab and my supervisor is great, but thinking to get a bit more exposure in the UK. Also, everyone tells me academic market in Canada is going to be loaded in new few years with big influx from the US. To add, my field is environment, climate change..so you get the picture. I have an offer to start in August. I will move there with my husband, who is yet to find a job there…but has a good position in Canada at the moment. We have families in Asia and Europe so thought would be a good move to make for family reasons also…
So, all was well until now..but I found that I am pregnant this week and I am kind of panicking. It is first time and though we were trying for a while, it wasn’t working super well and finally it happens at the same time with new job/new move across continent, etc. It makes me a bit nervous. First, I am not sure how stringent are pregnancy leaves in the UK for postdocs. Is there a certain number of weeks before which I won’t qualify for the leave? How long are maternity leaves? I tried looking at the Uni policy but it was not very clear, and I thought I would hear from someone that might have gone through similar stuff? My new employers seem kind and reasonable, but I am honestly very afraid that the first big thing I will have to announce once I join is that I am going on a mat leave. Addition things are finances as well as of now I will be the only one with a job in Manchester..
So, is it rational to take a new job at this point? Advices in academic culture in Canada vs UK as well as finances and maternity leaves. I am sorry its a lot and thank you in advance.