AnonymousScholar

@Wrzlprmft thanks, I have edited slightly. As you point out, it is a bit difficult to elaborate.

@NateEldredge yes, I felt sorry for him. In my case the offer is private at the moment.

@NateEldredge external, but probably a close colleague at my institution nominated me.

@Wrzlprmft thanks. The problem is I worry that accepting might shine a light on my research not being quite there just yet and people would look at my bibliometrics and think poorly of me, if I hadn't accepted then I'd just be yet another researcher, if that makes sense. I'm not using the bibliometrics as a yard stick for research quality, but rather perceived research quality. The actual research quality comparison I am basing on papers published.

@Henrik that's the cruz of my question, what are the negative consequences of declining? If I were to explain, I'd simply say that I don't think I'm a good fit.