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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To quit my unhappy permanent, safe, academic job for a happy non-permanent post

28 replies

ShoeString1 · 01/02/2018 18:38

I am on a permanent contract in a university which I am really not very happy with, my career has taken a direction into admin/ management which takes me completely away from the research and teaching I really enjoy. I am unhappy at the institution overall, my workload is unsustainable and there is little joy left in the job. I have been approached by another institution (where I have formally worked so know it's strengths and weaknesses) to take up a dream post which feels like it was literally made for my research and teaching specialism... but, it is only funded for four years with a chance (quite a good chance in reality) of continued funding. Permanent posts are like gold dust in my area and leaving one is a risk and I'm not guaranteed of getting another. However four years is a long time and I'm confident I am very capable of the post, and a lot of things can change in that time. Head, heart, desire, ambition, aspiration, dreams, etc all tell me to jump and go for it - logic, lack of confidence and insecurities tell me stay put.... advice?

OP posts:
PotatoesOfTheCarribean · 01/02/2018 18:44

Similar sort of situation here, but without such a good option to go to. Given everything you've said, I would go for it.

I'm staying put, because I really really need the security at the moment, but if I had a 4 years funding in a similar depart I'd jump at the chance.

TheSnowFairy · 01/02/2018 18:46

4 years is a good length of time to put on your CV afterwards if for any reason you weren't made permanent.

Go for it!

oldfatandstressed · 01/02/2018 18:49

Do you have anyone depending on you long term? Are you able to work somewhere else in the same field? If you don't have to worry about dependants and you still have options later, go for it. Life is too short to hold yourself back, people mostly regret the things they didn't do more than they regret the things they did do. Good luck!

Chathamhouserules · 01/02/2018 18:51

Go for it! 4 years is quite a long time and if your contract isn't renewed I'm sure you'll find something else. Life is too short!

FittonTower · 01/02/2018 18:54

4 years is forever. That's a "permanent" job in most industries. Go for it, don't stay in a job that makes you miserable when you have options.

niccyb · 01/02/2018 18:56

Take a risk. Go for it. You may live to regret it as you may never get another chance. Research is always temporary but I’m sure you would know that. Good luck xx

Callamia · 01/02/2018 18:58

At our place, four year continuous service wins you the right to a permanent contract anyway. I have no idea if this is true at all HEIs?

Yellowbird54321 · 01/02/2018 18:58

Definitely go for it!

FluffyWuffy100 · 01/02/2018 18:59

Take it. 100%

UmmKultum · 01/02/2018 19:07

I gave up a permanent job for one where I'm on fixed term contracts. Same as you, these permanent posts are really hard to get but it's the best move i ever did. Love my work and performing much better because it's what i really want to be doing.

Original poster
ShoeString1 · 01/02/2018 19:07

I do have people depending on me - sorry should have made that clear - as that's my biggest cause for the dilemma! I am the main earner in our family and have two small children and a rather large mortgage!

OP posts:
Hefzi · 01/02/2018 19:28

I'd jump in a heartbeat in your position, OP - I despise my institution and going in to work is utterly soul-destroying most days : sadly, no other fucker wants me any more Grin

With four years of funding, there's a reasonable chance of an extension/more funding/translation to permanency. Plus, by then we'll be into the next REF cycle and who knows what will then be available. I'd only not take the move if your new institution is having or has recently had money issues - otherwise, go for it!

mindutopia · 01/02/2018 19:29

Yes, I'd take it. I'm an academic (without a permanent post). I would never take a post, permanent or not, that made me miserable, at least certainly not in the long-term. Four years is actually quite a long contract. My last one was a year! And I had a 3 hour commute the 3 days a week I had to be in the office (so 6 hours total each day, if I wanted to come home at night to see my dd before she went to bed). You will almost certainly be able to apply for a more permanent post by the end of four years or will go onto another project or can apply for further funding to carry on your work. Do it. Academia is hard. There's no reason to be miserable.

jay55 · 01/02/2018 20:54

Four years gives you a lot of time to come up with plan b.
Will you last more than 4 in your current role with the workload and stress so high?

WhyteKnyght · 01/02/2018 21:36

Any chance your DH/DP can take on more of the financial burden, or at least be in a position where he can increase his earnings should the worst happen and you be out of a job in 4 years, to tide the family over until you find another position? If you can have that or something similar as an emergency backup plan should the worst happen and your contract finish after the 4 years, then I would definitely take it.

Els1e · 01/02/2018 23:14

Imagine yourself in 5 years. Will you regret where you are currently are or that you did not try to change.

grumpy4squash · 01/02/2018 23:28

Definitely go! Four years is fine.
If you don't, you'll talk yourself into staying until retirement, just because it's a permanent job.

FWIW, my career went: PhD, postdoc1 4.5 years, postdoc2 3.5 years (had 2 babies in that time), postdoc3 4 years (made redundant). Then: stopgap job 1.5 years, move into industry 2.5 years, move into current role (biotech) been here 5 years. All the postdocs were fixed term. Industry/biotech theoretically permanent, but only as long as the project lasts......

Anyway, my point is really why would you spend your life doing something you don't like, when something you do like is on offer? By the end of 4 years, the landscape may well be different, and you will have a different perspective and some different experience to add in.

RampantRegina · 02/02/2018 08:16

I would go for it. Life is short, you may never get another chance at a job that is such a good fit for you.

Plus, it will look great on your CV if the role isn’t made permanent. We are all probably going to be working until we’re 70 so do something that will make you happy and that you can find real satisfaction in! Good luck.

Alanna1 · 02/02/2018 08:21

I’d go for it in your shoes but I’d also be careful with money given your dependents in your new job. Plus in 4 years thr children will be older, your partner may be able to work more / get a promotion, etc.

museumum · 02/02/2018 08:24

Four more years where you are and you’ll be desperate to leave anyway.

So in 2022 will you be better placed to find a new job with the temp job on your cv or with four more years of the same in the current job?

HoHoHoHo · 02/02/2018 09:44

I thought this was going to be a 6 month contract or something. 4 years ia longer than most people stay in a permanent job. Definitely go for it.

Tatiannatomasina · 02/02/2018 10:25

I have just left a permanent role for an 11 month contract with the hope it will lead to long term employment. My old job made me feel like totally miserable and i adore my new job. We just picked up the keys for our new house today so its a bit of a risk, but i have to live in hope. I say go for it ( i only have 8.5 months left in post )

parietal · 02/02/2018 10:27

go for it. said as an academic.

mashpot · 02/02/2018 10:29

Seriously - take it! A lot could happen / change in 4 years. Or you could just be miserable, treading water in your current job.

PoisonousSmurf · 02/02/2018 10:31

Life's too short to be miserable. Be a lion and seize the moment!