I am currently a postdoc in a research group and I would like to move to another group and leave the current one. I would like to ask my current PI for a recommendation letter since another PI is requesting one. I am not sure how to approach and ask him especially if he is willing to extend the contract. We didn't discuss whether we will extended the contract 4 months from now but I am not sure if he is going to do so. I know this may seem trivial and the answer would just simply be to ask him to send a letter on my behalf, but I am trying to keep my current position as a second option. To be more specific, in case I am not successful with the ongoing interviews or with the postdoc search, I want to discuss with him to extend the contract later on. So I have two questions on my mind:
- Is there a way I can ask him for a recommendation letter and at the same time don't ruin the possibility of extending the postdoc contract 4 months from now?
- Another option would be not to ask him in the first place. Do you think is it okay not to provide a recommendation letter from my current PI? May be I can arrange three recommendations from my past referees. Is it a weak point in my submitted applications? Thank you so much for suggestions so I can make the right move...