Is it OK to work on projects from research proposal before position starts?











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There is considerable gap in time between submitting applications for academic positions and the time the postitions start. I'm wondering about the status of the problems listed in the research proposal during this gap. Are they off-limits and should be avoided, or is it OK to work on/think about them in the meantime? Suppose that I show up at the new institution already with a preprint on arXiv solving one of the problems from my research proposal - would it be considered inappropriate?



[My field is pure mathematics, meaning that the research tends to be relatively unpredictable and does not require external resuorces.]










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    As long as there is no conflict of interest with your current position (e.g. you are paid to do A for X and not B for Y) I cannot see how starting early on a research topic can be a problem. (Cases of ethical approval or restricted data may be a problem, but else?)
    – DetlevCM
    Nov 17 at 14:21















up vote
11
down vote

favorite
1












There is considerable gap in time between submitting applications for academic positions and the time the postitions start. I'm wondering about the status of the problems listed in the research proposal during this gap. Are they off-limits and should be avoided, or is it OK to work on/think about them in the meantime? Suppose that I show up at the new institution already with a preprint on arXiv solving one of the problems from my research proposal - would it be considered inappropriate?



[My field is pure mathematics, meaning that the research tends to be relatively unpredictable and does not require external resuorces.]










share|improve this question


















  • 2




    As long as there is no conflict of interest with your current position (e.g. you are paid to do A for X and not B for Y) I cannot see how starting early on a research topic can be a problem. (Cases of ethical approval or restricted data may be a problem, but else?)
    – DetlevCM
    Nov 17 at 14:21













up vote
11
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
11
down vote

favorite
1






1





There is considerable gap in time between submitting applications for academic positions and the time the postitions start. I'm wondering about the status of the problems listed in the research proposal during this gap. Are they off-limits and should be avoided, or is it OK to work on/think about them in the meantime? Suppose that I show up at the new institution already with a preprint on arXiv solving one of the problems from my research proposal - would it be considered inappropriate?



[My field is pure mathematics, meaning that the research tends to be relatively unpredictable and does not require external resuorces.]










share|improve this question













There is considerable gap in time between submitting applications for academic positions and the time the postitions start. I'm wondering about the status of the problems listed in the research proposal during this gap. Are they off-limits and should be avoided, or is it OK to work on/think about them in the meantime? Suppose that I show up at the new institution already with a preprint on arXiv solving one of the problems from my research proposal - would it be considered inappropriate?



[My field is pure mathematics, meaning that the research tends to be relatively unpredictable and does not require external resuorces.]







application job-search research-proposal






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asked Nov 17 at 11:05









Jakub Konieczny

2,64311935




2,64311935








  • 2




    As long as there is no conflict of interest with your current position (e.g. you are paid to do A for X and not B for Y) I cannot see how starting early on a research topic can be a problem. (Cases of ethical approval or restricted data may be a problem, but else?)
    – DetlevCM
    Nov 17 at 14:21














  • 2




    As long as there is no conflict of interest with your current position (e.g. you are paid to do A for X and not B for Y) I cannot see how starting early on a research topic can be a problem. (Cases of ethical approval or restricted data may be a problem, but else?)
    – DetlevCM
    Nov 17 at 14:21








2




2




As long as there is no conflict of interest with your current position (e.g. you are paid to do A for X and not B for Y) I cannot see how starting early on a research topic can be a problem. (Cases of ethical approval or restricted data may be a problem, but else?)
– DetlevCM
Nov 17 at 14:21




As long as there is no conflict of interest with your current position (e.g. you are paid to do A for X and not B for Y) I cannot see how starting early on a research topic can be a problem. (Cases of ethical approval or restricted data may be a problem, but else?)
– DetlevCM
Nov 17 at 14:21










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I don't think you should ever delay work, especially in mathematics. It is like trying to turn off your brain. Work away. I'd even say publish all you want. You aren't being hired for specific pieces of work unless you are a consultant or such. But academic positions are nothing like that.



The "worst" case is that you show up with everything completed and have to - horrors - work on something else that extends it or is otherwise "interesting."



Kidding aside, nothing is off limits in advancing mathematics. You will only be praised for working in the interim. Your research proposal just assured the hiring group that you have ideas and will be productive.






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    active

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    up vote
    21
    down vote



    accepted










    I don't think you should ever delay work, especially in mathematics. It is like trying to turn off your brain. Work away. I'd even say publish all you want. You aren't being hired for specific pieces of work unless you are a consultant or such. But academic positions are nothing like that.



    The "worst" case is that you show up with everything completed and have to - horrors - work on something else that extends it or is otherwise "interesting."



    Kidding aside, nothing is off limits in advancing mathematics. You will only be praised for working in the interim. Your research proposal just assured the hiring group that you have ideas and will be productive.






    share|improve this answer

























      up vote
      21
      down vote



      accepted










      I don't think you should ever delay work, especially in mathematics. It is like trying to turn off your brain. Work away. I'd even say publish all you want. You aren't being hired for specific pieces of work unless you are a consultant or such. But academic positions are nothing like that.



      The "worst" case is that you show up with everything completed and have to - horrors - work on something else that extends it or is otherwise "interesting."



      Kidding aside, nothing is off limits in advancing mathematics. You will only be praised for working in the interim. Your research proposal just assured the hiring group that you have ideas and will be productive.






      share|improve this answer























        up vote
        21
        down vote



        accepted







        up vote
        21
        down vote



        accepted






        I don't think you should ever delay work, especially in mathematics. It is like trying to turn off your brain. Work away. I'd even say publish all you want. You aren't being hired for specific pieces of work unless you are a consultant or such. But academic positions are nothing like that.



        The "worst" case is that you show up with everything completed and have to - horrors - work on something else that extends it or is otherwise "interesting."



        Kidding aside, nothing is off limits in advancing mathematics. You will only be praised for working in the interim. Your research proposal just assured the hiring group that you have ideas and will be productive.






        share|improve this answer












        I don't think you should ever delay work, especially in mathematics. It is like trying to turn off your brain. Work away. I'd even say publish all you want. You aren't being hired for specific pieces of work unless you are a consultant or such. But academic positions are nothing like that.



        The "worst" case is that you show up with everything completed and have to - horrors - work on something else that extends it or is otherwise "interesting."



        Kidding aside, nothing is off limits in advancing mathematics. You will only be praised for working in the interim. Your research proposal just assured the hiring group that you have ideas and will be productive.







        share|improve this answer












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        answered Nov 17 at 11:18









        Buffy

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        31.2k698163






























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