I didn't hear back after a postdoc interview. Can I set a deadline for a response? I was invited for an interview for a postdoc position at a research institution in another country. At the end, the panel told me that the HR will reach out early next week. I didn't hear back from the HR and decided to follow up the next week, in which the HR told me that &quot;the panel are yet to confirm their decision&quot; and I should expect an update in the next three days maximum.
Today was the last day of that deadline. The issue is that in a few weeks from now, I might start other activities in other universities (teaching and research on another project). I didn't confirm anything until I receive a response for that postdoc position. Can I follow up again and told them that I might have another engagement next week?
I am afraid that this might backfire, because they're asking me to wait and this gives me the impression that I'm plan B or something.
You should let them know that you have other opportunities at other universities that you need to respond to, and what those deadlines are.
If they can, they will try to avoid the situation where they can not hire you because you have been forced to agree to another job. That does not mean they can.
Generally speaking, people being informed is good.  Setting deadlines that look arbitrary is not.