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[saintannie]

I am a successful asst prof with a "two body" problem- my spouse and I are on the TT at schools 2 hours apart.

We thought we were just on the verge of solving it as I've been advanced to the campus visit/interview round for 2 great jobs. If I landed either of them, it would solve our commute issues. We have kids and our lives would be so much better/easier.

BUT... I have just been placed on medical disability and have to stay in bed for now, and a hospitalization is likely to be upcoming.

Have I just lost every chance for either of these jobs? I've never experienced or heard of this situation in job-hunting.

I'm really devastated, jobs in my area don't open up often and to get two invites in the same geographical area, near spouse, was just wonderful.

Ideas/suggestions/shoulders to cry on?

[busyslinky]

How long is the expected hospitalization? 

What is the time frame that the schools gave for interviews and/or decisions?

Sometimes the interview cycle can take weeks (or months).

[larryc]

Yikes, what bad luck. I guess you contact HR at the interviewing institutions and describe your dilemma. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[saintannie]

Thank you both for replying.

The campus visits are supposed to be scheduled sometime in Feb. If I had to guess, I will be in the hospital most of Feb/March. Awful.

And before that, I am on extremely limited activity. I've done many academic job interviews and am only too aware of the grueling schedule and energy required; no way could I get through it.

So larryc, you suggest I talk to HR, rather than the search committee?

[helpful]

So larryc, you suggest I talk to HR, rather than the search committee?

It depends. At our place, HR is not involved at all in hiring until the offer is made. So at our place, the contact should be made with the Search Committee Chair.

See if there is any flexibility. Perhaps you could do a skype interview?

You really need to judge by who you have been talking to up to now. If it is the SC Chair, then a conversation (not an email!) with them would be useful now .

Without revealing anything about your medical condition, can you say to the SC whether there will be any medium or long term effects on your ability to do the job? This would be an important consideration in any hire.

[_touchedbyanoodle_]

How awful and unfair! I'm sorry for all of this.

I agree that you will need to simply call the person you have been in communication with and ask them what you can do. If you're not sure how incapacitated you will be when in the hospital, you may want to talk to your doctor first to get more information and clarification on what you will be able to do.

I once missed an inside search for an ideal position because I was being treated for cancer and had to take that semester off from adjuncting, so I can empathize. The universe can be such an a-hole at times.