Postdoctoral researcher

Postdoctoral researcher
Occupation
Occupation type
Profession
Activity sectors
Academia, Industry
Description
Competencies
Education required
PhD or equivalent
Fields of
employment
Academics, Industry

Post-doctoral researchers by discipline (United States, 2012)[1]

  Life sciences (65%)
  Physical sciences (13%)
  Engineering (11%)
  Math and computer sciences (3%)
  Geosciences (3%)
  Psychology, social sciences and others (5%)

A postdoctoral fellow, postdoctoral researcher, or simply postdoc, is a person professionally conducting research after the completion of their doctoral studies (typically a PhD). Postdocs most commonly, but not always, have a temporary academic appointment, sometimes in preparation for an academic faculty position. According to data from the US National Science Foundation, the number of holders of PhD in biological sciences who end up in tenure track has consistently dropped from over 50% in 1973 to less than 20% in 2006.[2] They continue their studies or carry out research and further increase expertise in a specialist subject, including integrating a team and acquiring novel skills and research methods. Postdoctoral research is often considered essential while advancing the scholarly mission of the host institution; it is expected to produce relevant publications in peer-reviewed academic journals or conferences. In some countries, postdoctoral research may lead to further formal qualifications or certification, while in other countries, it does not.[3][4]

Postdoctoral research may be funded through an appointment with a salary or an appointment with a stipend or sponsorship award. Appointments for such a research position may be called postdoctoral research fellow, postdoctoral research associate, or postdoctoral research assistant. Postdoctoral researchers typically work under the supervision of a principal investigator. In many English-speaking countries, postdoctoral researchers are colloquially referred to as "postdocs".[5]

  1. ^ Powell, Kendall (1 April 2015). "The future of the postdoc". Nature. 520 (7546): 144–147. Bibcode:2015Natur.520..144P. doi:10.1038/520144a. ISSN 1476-4687. PMID 25855437.
  2. ^ Weissmann, Jordan (20 February 2013). "The Ph.D Bust: America's Awful Market for Young Scientists—in 7 Charts". The Atlantic. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference whatisapostdoc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference kendall was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "National Postdoctoral Association: Career Development Resources". NationalPostDoc.org. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015.