Is it common to attend to conference of past postdoc during a new postdoc?

Question

Summary: I have finished postdoc #1 (it was negative experience) and started postdoc #2. I have been invited to present work performed during postdoc #1. Is it normal and expected, since it will take away time from my current job?

I have finished a postdoc a few months ago. It wasn't a pleasant experience both from a perspective of human relationship with my supervisor (a fake, hypocrite, toxic and stressful person/experience, nothing like I had faced before in my whole life) and from a research project (too little challenged mentally, left alone most of the time, and badly managed: set to work on non priority tasks most of the time). I will start another postdoc in a few months, in another research group, in another city, in another topic (which I personally find much more interesting).

However, I have been contacted by the 1st postdoc research group, asking me whether I would attend to a conference, to present some of our work. This would be for a few days during the 1st month of my 2nd postdoc, which would start in a few months from now. On a personal level, I do not think it would help me much to present this work (I am not involved in this topic anymore), I would rather work in the new laboratory (every working day will be extremely precious and valuable, since there aren't many). If I were to attend the conference, it would mean the 2nd postdoc would have to pay me a full salary while I would be "working" for the other laboratory.

I would rather not give more details, at least for now. I am wondering whether it is common for people doing several postdocs, to "work" for previous postdocs, or attend to conferences related to previous postdocs, while it removes working time in the new postdoc.

Answer 1

Yes, it is common to publish or present previous work while employed at a new position. Usually, the new academic supervisor supports and even encourages this. But you should of course discuss with them.

If you don't want to do this, it is common practice to say something like "I'm sorry, I'm too busy with my new job and I just don't have the time."

Answer 2

If there is a chance you would be interested in presenting at the conference, consider discussing it with your 2nd postdoc supervisor. One of the goals of a postdoc position is career development, which is not limited to the specific project you were hired for. Even if the 1st postdoc topic is different, the experience of giving the talk may be useful (and also could be noted on your CV, although this may be minor if you have several other publications).

If I were to attend the conference, it would mean the 2nd postdoc would have to pay me a full salary while I would be "working" for the other laboratory.

This is not necessarily a problem. Again, your 2nd postdoc supervisor can provide guidance, and may be more than willing to support this as part of contributing to the academic community and developing you as a "whole researcher". It is routine that some "mopping up" from a previous position is done early in a new position; supervisors are often fine with this (within reason) because it enhances your general record/reputation and maintains useful connections/goodwill.