How much time to wait for answer after postdoc negotiations I was wondering about a case I lived before two weeks. I have applied to a postdoc position even 10 months before getting my PhD degree. After couple of days, a professor from the institution emailed me and showed a lot of interest in my CV. He offered me to go there and write my thesis there. I refused that because of many issues regarding family, supervisor, etc. 
I offered him that I can come just after finishing my dissertation writing, and would stay there till the defense day, taking couple of days off for the PhD degree and going back to them.

Anyway, he said they will study my case but they showed potential of acceptance.
They gave me a scientific paper as a task and I did it on time. He finally told me we will keep you updated. So I waited 10 days and never heard back from him. I sent him an email, and did not reply. I resend a new email after another 5 days.

What do you think? Have you been in such case? I am already have the feel they don't want me anymore, but come on where is all their interest in me gone? And why he does not reply to my emails? Never know the answer.

PS. The university is prestigious and worth to think and dream of it.

Thanks for your comments.
It is not clear from your question what you are waiting for. Based on your description of the conversation, you should continue to look for post doc opportunities until you have a firm offer. Do not wait to hear anything more before sending out more applications. It is probably worth noting that 10 months prior to defending seems very early to be actively looking for a post doc.

If you are talking about how long you should wait before giving up hope, then you should wait as long as possible. Right now you do not have another offer, so there is no reason to move on. 

If you are talking about how long you should wait until contacting the PI again, I would say generally 1 or 2 weeks between attempts. You might be better off making a phone call next time.