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Applying for postdocs from a TT job for the sake of a spouse’s/partner’s career?

In our new “how can we help you?” thread, a reader writes:

Suppose someone is already in a TT assistant professor position but is considering applying for a two-year postdoc at another university. Why? One reason is that their spouse is up for a much better administrative position at that university, and it feels unfair to hold back their career because of the TT job. Of course, it’ would be good to have a job rather than no job, and particularly since a postdoc means far more research time than a TT, so that seems like a positive.

While I’d be okay with giving up the TT position for a two-year postdoc, and also knowing that getting another TT position afterward is unlikely, I’m wondering if it’s frowned upon to even apply for a postdoc when you’re already a TT. Would it be viewed negatively? Are there other issues I’m not considering? Any advice would be appreciated.

Any helpful insights from readers, particularly those who have served on postdoc search committees or who have applied out of TT jobs like the OP describes?

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3 responses to “Applying for postdocs from a TT job for the sake of a spouse’s/partner’s career?”

  1. Anonymous

    having been on postdoc search committees, I would not consider someone with a TT position already – a postdoc is a trainee job, with a lower salary in part because there is a benefit of mentorship/training. These jobs come with a mentoring structure of some kind in almost all cases. If the candidate already has the level of intellectual/professional skill to be a professor, they are not right for a postdoc in my opinion (unless the area/methods of the postdoc are *very* different than their experience)

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  2. Anonymous

    I think it very much depends on the particular post doc and what your current position looks like. Especially if you are in a teaching heavy TT position, we would not look askance at your applying for a post doc with us. Already having a TT position would not help you in our case, but also wouldn’t hurt you.

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  3. Anonymous

    As a graduating PhD student, I *hope* this would be viewed negatively by search committees. Sorry if that sounds mean. I do sympathize with OP. But isn’t a postdoc supposed to be a stepping stone into the career? People like me are trying desperately to keep our careers from withering on the vine, and we rely on these positions to have any chance at all.

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