Appropriate to seek Instructor postition as a research associate?

[pyrimidamn]

Hi,

 

Maybe a little strange, but I'm wanting to start teaching one class a semster, but am unable to do so at the University I work at. I'm curious though whether my boss will appreciate this 'diversion' from his research - as a research associate.

 

I plan to ask him before I start sending my CV around, but just curious, anyone have insight on whether this is offensive to ask? I almost feel like if I was in his position, I'd be like "Is there not enough work to do here?".

 

Anyway, just wondering....any thougts?

[ajb]

You want to gain more experience in teaching. I don't think that is an unreasonable state to be in.

 

You will have to judge for yourself if you felt your boss would be offended by this.

[Ophiolite]

How much teaching does he do, or is he almost entirely engaged in research? Either way if he enjoys teaching your task is simple. Explain that you wish to share your enthusiasm for the subject , as exhibited by your passion for research, with others, through the medium of teaching. What would he recommend you do? Can he help you in this goal? He may very well have contacts with other institutions and be willing to speak on your behalf.

[pyrimidamn]

You want to gain more experience in teaching. I don't think that is an unreasonable state to be in.

 

You will have to judge for yourself if you felt your boss would be offended by this.

 

Maybe offended was too strong -- I may be overthinking this, and I should probably just ask him...

 

But since I brought it up, he's close to retirement, and does no teaching. The part that makes this tricky to me is that I am not in the same specialty as him (he's an MD, I'm a chemist), so my teaching would be a completely independent endeavor from the work i was hired to do. This also means I'd have to teach a class in a different dept. than where we work -- and likely a different University. It seems to me like this might be perceived as an unwelcome distraction from his research.

[Phi for All]

I almost feel like if I was in his position, I'd be like "Is there not enough work to do here?"

You said the teaching was something you couldn't get from your current program or school. If you've already asked your boss about teaching and he has nothing for you, why should you feel guilty seeking it elsewhere?

 

The work he has you doing isn't the same as teaching. It's not like you're doing research for him and now you also want to go do research for someone else at a different school. It's not apples and apples, you can't justify a phrase like, "Is there not enough work to do here?"

[pyrimidamn]

You said the teaching was something you couldn't get from your current program or school. If you've already asked your boss about teaching and he has nothing for you, why should you feel guilty seeking it elsewhere?

 

The work he has you doing isn't the same as teaching. It's not like you're doing research for him and now you also want to go do research for someone else at a different school. It's not apples and apples, you can't justify a phrase like, "Is there not enough work to do here?"

 

That's my initial stance, but the expectation is that I spend the necessary time to get the project done (and it's not going particularly well) - whether that's 80 hours a week or 40. Though I typically work 40, the culture of postdocs/research associates (not as much now as in earlier days?) comes with an expectation of being able to work unlimited overtime.

 

All that said, each PI is probably different enough to warrant asking, I just needed some internet confidence to back me up.

 

After all, I am really just trying to advance my career - and rationally, it's hard to be worried about asking for that.

 

Thanks everyone.