Hiring post-doc using start up funds

[kerprof]

I had a post doc (based on my start up fund) who is supposed to start on Feb 1. Yesterday he is sending an email requesting to revise the job start date of March 1, 2021.

I have replied and asked him what would be a  good time for me to talk to him. He did not reply to my email.

This is the first time I am hiring a post-doc. I am thinking not to bring him and use that money to support graduate students or look out for another post-doc

I also have the pressure to spend 70% of  start up money by middle of next year otherwise I will lose the startup funds.


Please advise how to handle this.

[soccer]

It sounds like an offer was made and the postdoc accepted that offer with a start date of Feb 1. Now, a couple of days before the start date, the postdoc is requesting a change of start date.

Rescinding an offer is a big deal. It has a huge impact on the incoming postdoc. He may not have time to find another job before becoming unemployed. Delaying by one month isn't that big of a deal. I wouldn't rescind the offer solely because of this request for a change of start date.

This said, it is a bit alarming that this person waited until this late to make such a request. This could be an indicator of a bigger problem. If you get to talk to him in the coming week, you should try to figure out if the underlying cause was unforeseen and urgent. You should not grant an extension before you get a chance to talk to some of his references to see if there is a pattern of such behavior. 

[Ruralguy]

Wait to see what is going on. If you feel after your due diligence that it's worth waiting, see if you are able to, based on what was told. My guess is that the money will be considered more or less spent once the person is present for a while, but I could be wrong, so ask the relevant administrators.

[Katrina Gulliver]

I had a post doc (based on my start up fund) who is supposed to start on Feb 1. Yesterday he is sending an email requesting to revise the job start date of March 1, 2021.

Unless this was due to something completely unforeseen (sudden illness, for example), this is a huge redflag. Saying "btw I'm not showing up" ONE DAY before a job starts, then ignoring follow-up emails, I'd be very concerned this person is going to be more trouble than it's worth. Are they a grad student? Do you know their advisor?

[kerprof]

I had chance to talk to the potential post-doc over the phone and he says he could not come as planned because he has the work to complete at his current place.

He also says he would prefer to email rather than talking over the phone...

[Puget]

I had chance to talk to the potential post-doc over the phone and he says he could not come as planned because he has the work to complete at his current place.

He also says he would prefer to email rather than talking over the phone...

And he couldn't anticipate this more than a day in advance? I agree this is a red flag.

Has the student maybe failed to defend/complete revisions on their dissertation on time and so can't start the postdoc but doesn't want to admit it?

[Katrina Gulliver]

I had chance to talk to the potential post-doc over the phone and he says he could not come as planned because he has the work to complete at his current place.

He also says he would prefer to email rather than talking over the phone...

Smells like bullshit. He's stalling on you, hoping for a better job.

[kerprof]

I had chance to talk to the potential post-doc over the phone and he says he could not come as planned because he has the work to complete at his current place.

He also says he would prefer to email rather than talking over the phone...

And he couldn't anticipate this more than a day in advance? I agree this is a red flag.

Has the student maybe failed to defend/complete revisions on their dissertation on time and so can't start the postdoc but doesn't want to admit it?

He completed his PhD in 2019.

[research_prof]

I had chance to talk to the potential post-doc over the phone and he says he could not come as planned because he has the work to complete at his current place.

He also says he would prefer to email rather than talking over the phone...

And he couldn't anticipate this more than a day in advance? I agree this is a red flag.

Has the student maybe failed to defend/complete revisions on their dissertation on time and so can't start the postdoc but doesn't want to admit it?

He completed his PhD in 2019.

Sounds like your potential postdoc is taking interviews for other jobs or for tenure track Assistant Prof. positions and they are waiting to see if they will get an offer by the end of February (which could be likely).

[Hibush]

Unless this was due to something completely unforeseen (sudden illness, for example),

Quarantine, travel restrictions, family members getting ill, canceled flights or truck rentals. There are quite a few things that commonly get in the way of moving these days, so it's worth getting the whole story.

We still need a couple embassies and a couple border to open before getting our full Fall 2020 entering grad students to arrive.

[Katrina Gulliver]

Unless this was due to something completely unforeseen (sudden illness, for example),

Quarantine, travel restrictions, family members getting ill, canceled flights or truck rentals. There are quite a few things that commonly get in the way of moving these days, so it's worth getting the whole story.

If it was one of those things, hu would have told kerprof.

[kerprof]

Unless this was due to something completely unforeseen (sudden illness, for example),

Quarantine, travel restrictions, family members getting ill, canceled flights or truck rentals. There are quite a few things that commonly get in the way of moving these days, so it's worth getting the whole story.

I was also thinking may be one of those things and that is the reason he is not joining as scheduled... 

But over the phone he was blunt and says that he has to complete the work in his current place...

[Kron3007]

Unless this was due to something completely unforeseen (sudden illness, for example),

Quarantine, travel restrictions, family members getting ill, canceled flights or truck rentals. There are quite a few things that commonly get in the way of moving these days, so it's worth getting the whole story.

I was also thinking may be one of those things and that is the reason he is not joining as scheduled... 

But over the phone he was blunt and says that he has to complete the work in his current place...

I respect someone wanting to finish things up, but I would be concerned that they didn't give you any notice, and agree that this may not be the whole story. 

[Ruralguy]

Just get the details, then figure out after that if you can still work it out to have this person.

[fizzycist]

I'd be pissed. He just tells you this matter-of-factly last minute without at least apologizing? And won't discuss by phone? I'm a total softy and never fire anyone, but I'd be strongly considering it here.

I think what I'd do is tell him that I need to speak by Videocon and sorry but can't take no for an answer. If he refused, that's it. If he gets on the call, I'd explain to him how I feel and the situation his last-minute change is putting me in. If there is some humanity and attempt for reconciliation on his side, I'd be ok. If he were terse and disrespectful I'd be done.

Attitude and disrespect problems are the number one most difficult thing to mentor through and I don't have the energy.