system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
New Postdoc supervisor says I can do whatever I want and I'm lost

Hello, I know this sounds strange, in theory, anyone would like to be in this position but I just finished my PhD, applied for this role based on the description given thinking it would be similar to my PhD, having a good idea where it's going and what the deliverables are then zig zagging my way to them while learning new things. 

But this is my first week and they just gave me an office and left, I was confused and didn't know what to do for a few days then finally spoke to the supervisor and he just said I can do whatever I want and that he is very busy most of the time, this is in France by the way, the description mentioned working on a project to validate an exisisting design and create an optimized chip for it,  but the supervisor said that task is trivial and better stuited for an engineer and that I can use the time for something more interesting.

So I found my self wondering where did the funding come from and what was it for exactly? how are they going to keep track of my work or progress for the duration of the contract, I find my self worried I'd be lost and not do much, I tend to lean towards slacking these days because of how burnt out I felt from the PhD, there is also the worry that by the end I wouldn't have much to show for whatever next position I go for.

Any insights from people who are experienced or just have advice in general?
gpt
A good starting point would probably to be to get up to speed on the work your PI and the group/lab has been doing so far, so that you can start to think of where you might fit in. It would at least give you a sense of direction if he won't.