It would be very appreciated if someone can share some experience.
I have been doing postdoc (informatics direction) in Swizerland for 4 years. My contract is reaching its end, and since 3 months ago I have been looking for new jobs. As I am a "trailing spouse", I focus only in Switzerland. I was looking for positions such as assistant/associate professor, or more experienced researchers in Universities or in the industry (not necessarily permanent research position, but one step further than postdoc). However my experience is not so promising.
First, there are very few available positions in Switzerland. Over the past 3 months I only found one assistant professor opening in a cantonal university in my domain. I applied, and got negative answers recently which says that they received 300+ applications for this single position!
This gives me an impression that the competition is extremely tough in Switzerland for academic positions.
I also applied for another postdoc position, and got the offer within days. Well this does not surprise me too much, as I already have 4 years experience as postdoc and the new project matches well my expertise.
So now I am in a kind of dilemma: whether sign the contract for a new postdoc, or keep searching. After reasonable thinking, I think I will sign the new contract. It's much better than to be unemployed!
But the dilemma is not finished, as the same story will happen in the future, and I cannot stay forever as postdoc. I was thinking that 4 years was already enough but not it seems that it will be longer.
I do not know if someone having experience can shed some light on this topic. I know that I am restricting myself too much by positions only in Switzerland. But on the other hand I do not want to be away from my spouse and our common life already established here with friends and family. Lack of mobility and academic development seems incompatible, isn't it?
If locally-based jobs are very limited in your field, I would take the other post-doc job, but make sure that you get a salary bump to show that you are progressing.
If you haven't done so already, this would give you more time to network, either in your own university, or through other Swiss academic networks (e.g. if you are female, through the REGARD program ).
In some cases, part-time lecturing and research positions are not advertised, so this would be a good way to find out about them, and for more senior people in your field to know about you whent the time is right!
Life in academia is extremely harsh. Opportunities are scarce, and competition for a permanent position is fierce. If you manage to get one, then you have an excellent salary and great work facilities. But everything is in the IF...
I'm giving it up and going back to real life, as far as I'm concerned....
Yes, recently I do see how fierce the competition is in academia.
I'm also considering other ways, such as non-research local jobs. I thought as I speak good French I should have some chances. But then when I scroll up and down the job categories at jobs.ch I am lost and I'm not sure what job I can do...
May I ask you what do you mean that you are going back to "real life"? You left the academic path?
My contract is finishing, and I'm prospecting for jobs out of academia, yes.
It's a very special little world, and I don't think I'm cut for it, honestly. My kids and my family are an important part of my life, and I'm not ready to sacrifice everything and work 18 hours a day, like those who manage to thrive in academia.
Interesting. I recently left the "real world" (well... the UN world) for academia and actually have a work-life balance now! I guess it depends on the field, and in my case, not having a daily 3h commute to Geneva also helps!
Especially in academia, one competes with applicants from all over the world. It all boils down to one's track record and publications. A good way to figure out the required credentials is to look at the websites of newly hired assistant professors at different Universities. Also one could apply for SNSF professorships, ERC starting grants - these grants can help with a time-limited position for up to 5 years.
Good luck
I don't know how it is in your field but I think it is widespread that getting a permanent position after "only" 4 years of postdoc in this age you would have to be really very, very good.
The situation appears to be that you have to be very good to get one after 6 or 8 years anyway...
Starting now: I think you should take the position. That is an easy decision because it keeps you employed and you don't seem to have alternatives right away!
Just because you sign on another postdoc you do not have to stop applying for other jobs (academic or not). There was a fairly recent thread where someone else was considering leaving academia and was also asking whether to continue to another postdoc. The consensus there was also to take the position (and apply outside during that contract).
Looking to the future: You should really consider what are your future prospects, and evaluating whether you should switch outside earlier or not.
I don't have personal experience here but I think there is some consensus that employers outside academia are a bit reluctant to pick up an "older" (35+?) scientist with no "real life experience" - as you are in IT maybe that problem is not as significant but it is something to keep in mind.
This is not meant to dissuade you from staying in academia, but it is important to be realistic.
You have at least one extremely significant handicap because due to your significant other, you are limiting yourself to a small geographical area so I think in your case you really must consider positions outside academia sooner rather than later. On the other hand, presumably your significant other is well employed so perhaps you can afford the "risk" that you will have to get an "early retirement" after several temporary positions and eventually not getting a permanent one.
Positions in Switzerland must be extremely competitive compared to many other countries in Europe: the universities are well known and the salaries are high(er).
There are some options already pointed out, there are SNSF positions that give you "advanced postdoc" options, and the same goes for EU-funded ones (provided Switzerland is still in Horizon 2020 - if not maybe you can apply to an EU-country institution close to the border if that is acceptable). These are also very competitive, but they are aimed at your experience level.