How long would you wait? - (Mar/22/2010 )

My boss has about 1 more year worth of funding. He has applied for several grants; one last year whose outcome is still pending.
Assuming he doesn't get the money for the pending grant. How long would you wait before starting to apply for a new position? Would you let your boss know beforehand or apply behind his/her back and have a chat when you have been offered a new job?

Background info:
1. Have a MS degree
2. Currently in a Research Assistant position
3. Been working for my current boss for 4 years now

chicho on Mar 22 2010, 02:16 PM said:

dont you think its easier to just do a TA for a year and try gettin out? You've spent four years! You dont want to start fresh do you?

Well, I would start looking now. Funding doesn't always come through. The decision about whether to inform your boss depends on the relationship you have with him.

jangajarn on Mar 22 2010, 04:20 PM said:

Oh, I am not doing a PhD. I am currently a Research Assistant, as in a technician. I can go work wherever I want without no barriers. My dilemma is simply one of ethics. I have been working in my current job for the last 4 years. I love working for my boss. I am currently involved in projects that I find very interesting. If I were to leave, my boss will have a hard time filling my position. Thus, the projects might come to a halt. I will like to finish my work. But, I would also like to have a job next year.
People have told me to just look for a job and once I get it just put in my two weeks notice. Stating "this is the normal protocol when it comes to leaving a job". But, I feel that two weeks seems like not nearly enough time - in the case he wants to find someone to finish my projects.
What would be the downside of talking to him before starting to apply? He could make my life a living hell while I stay working for him? Not willing to give a good reference? Seems doubtful that he would do such things; but, by expressing my will to leave, I leave myself open to such possibilities.

If you still have funding for one more year and your boss handed in several grants and you would like to stay with your boss I would wait some time before applying for new jobs (besides you find one you think you will love and is made for you), considering the decision date for the grants.

Maybe you can talk to your boss about your thoughts as you seem to have a good relationship towards him? Probably he can give you advice where you can find a good job (if he cannot fund you anymore).

Hi chicho,

I think that you can always scope out other potential labs/professors, it’s a kind of survival strategy anyhow, but for official inquiries or applications, perhaps it’s better to wait, (you’ve still got a year, right?) or if you really think you can’t wait any longer and definitely intend to start sending out your CV to prospective employers then perhaps it’s better to have an informal chat with your boss about your intention first. And why…because he’s gonna find out anyways . He’d probably rather get the news from you rather than receive an e-mail or a phone call from another professor asking about you.

If he’s fair and ethical, then he’d give you the same consideration… he’d inform you himself about the possibility of closing the lab and he might even help you look for another lab to transfer to or at the very least, he'd give you a good recommendation….it’s still not crunch time and with a masters degree, the likelihood of finding another job is a lot better, you probably don’t even need to move far…so don’t give up on him just yet….

also...

how is your boss' funding history? if he has a good history of funding then you have reason to believe that he will get a grant funded and your job will be as secure as it had been.

if not then keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground.

if your relationship is as good as you say then you can expect him to inform you of impending disaster and to assist you in finding another job.

Thank you all for the replies.

I just got word today that the grant my boss had applied for did not go through. With stress setting in now, I see now that the most likely thing is that I won't be able to stay here. The way I understand things are (please correct me if I am wrong): my boss can still apply for grants during this summer and october - both of which we wont see any money until next year. But, next year his money is already running out. Thus, even if he gets it, there is a gap in time of 1- 3 months in which there will be no money. Unless I am wrong and grants you apply this summer, if approved, you can get funding this year? (I think this is not right)

chicho on Apr 19 2010, 12:51 PM said:

sometimes, if you know a grant is going to be funded but there is a gap, another investigator or the research foundation can pick up salaries for a short time.

so, what are the chances that your pi's other proposals will be funded?

mdfenko on Apr 19 2010, 10:00 AM said:

To be honest I am unsure. He has to improve his score alot in order to get funded. He got a score of 19 this time around. Thinking that he qualified under first time RO-1., we felt confident. Later, we found that the criteria for first time RO-1 was changed. People who have been P.I.s for a certain period of time cannot qualify. Thus, his score would have to improve to about a 12 to be sure that we will get funded.

I have no clue how easy or hard such an improvement might be.