Hi, I have a huge dilemma: I’m a postdoc in Europe (and from Europe) with a PhD from a very well known U.S. university. I finished in 2022 and have been on the market in Europe since then. It’s been rough, have only gotten a few first interviews and two job talks at American universities in Europe. It seems the latter was successful BUT it’s in a small, private, American style university that’s not known. Teaching load is very heavy.
The gig is in a capital city, but not one where I have much of a life nor speak the language. I’m super hesitant.
My CV is otherwise very good (salve for few publications…) with ivy schools for bachelor and masters and quasi ivy for PhD.
My postdoc, which is at a top uni, is only for another 1.5 years. I am not considering moving back to the U.S. for obvious reasons so the dilemma is either sticking with the postdoc while hoping for smthg better or going for this TT job but VERY worried I won’t be able to be taken seriously in better/bigger unis later.
I
What to do?
Comments
Depends on your career goal. One thing about teaching at a smaller school is that your research output would be significantly impacted due to the work load and the lack of resources. The positive side is you have less pressure on publications and grants. If you go for the postdoc route, I assume your long term goal is to land a professor position at a research institution. I had colleagues that worked as a postdoc for over 15 years and never landed a professor position as well. Some end up staying as career research scientists.
If your desire is for a strong research-based career, the a stint at a small (unknown) teaching university will be unlikely to help. Major research institutions do not set much weight on teaching, and you will have spend time almost certainly cut off from doing research, as well as the sort of interaction with others in your field needed to stay at the cutting edge.