Is it ethical to apply for this position?

Anonymous

August 1,2022 at 10:44PM UTC

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Is it ethical to apply for this position? I work in a small specialized field. About a week ago, a position came across my desk through my networks that piqued my interest. I have some major gripes with my current position but have seen slow improvement in some areas in the last year that give me some hope for a future with my company. But I am often tempted by the thought of jobs that are less chaotic and have more administrative support. I'm considering applying for the position.

The program that the position works for has a ton of crossover with one of my current programs and could provide some valuable capacity we lack. I reached out to the PI on the project with the open position about some of the work I'm doing that seemed synergistic and we had a really productive meeting that may result in a partnership between our organizations with both contributing funding to the development of some deliverables that are of mutual interest. I think it could be a great partnership for both of us.

I am interested in the position, but I am also interested in the partnership if I were not able to get the job. Considering I've already had a conversation about partnerships, how should I approach the job application if I choose to apply for it? From a hiring manager perspective, are there red flags of someone offering a partnership and then jumping ship on their current organization? Do I risk jeopardizing the partnership if I apply for the job and don't get it?

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AnonymousAugust 1,2022 at 10:48PM UTC
OP here: re-reading this, all the vague jargon reads horribly! basically the question boils down to how do I balance applying for a position at a new organization while trying to build a potential partnership with the new organization at my current organization at the same time?
JenniferAugust 1,2022 at 11:39PM UTC
You used the word ethical in your OP title, but do you mean ethical in the sense of a specific Code of Ethics/Conflict of Interest policy (which could result in penalties to you if you violate), or more along the lines whether it's "right" (stemming from discomfort around how to professionally navigate the situation)?
Cyndi RosenblattAugust 2,2022 at 1:34AM UTC
LOL I'm in research administration and understood it just fine, but get where others might not. Multiple questions here.
On the side of what's best for you personally and career-wise, a new position is always something to consider. Is your current job and/or the new one on hard money or a grant? With the randomness of grants, hard money is an attractive option even when there's less of it, but there's a balance and that's different for everyone.
We see people jump ship for collaborators all the time. I've poached my last two hires from our sister department because they have the right sort of background to hit the ground running and already know our PIs and lab managers. If anything, it's usually a win-win because they understand aspects of the work that I don't and provide valuable insight that improves our service.
I don't really see a downside to applying for the position. Tell them your discussion made an impression and you can see ways you can uniquely contribute due to your background and relationships.
AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 2:56PM UTC
You can flatter them by saying they're such a great organization you'd be honored to work for them, but if not you want to work with them.
I don't see an ethical breach here.
DL NewmanAugust 2,2022 at 6:21PM UTC
Yeah. Cool question. The kind of real questions we all want to know the answers to are the ones that are just to intricate to ask easily…Navigate carefully but toughen your hide. If it backfires, learn to “care” less (c’est la vie business), if it results in a new offer, consider it carefully. Remember you actually only work for yourself in this world.