To be or not to be a Postdoc

1
To be or not to be a Postdoc?
Kathleen H. Berecek, Ph.D., Professor of
Physiology and Biophysics, University of Alabama
at Birmingham
Women in Physiology Workshop EB 2004
2
Options Upon Graduation

• Three options on graduation
• Find a position which directly or indirectly
  relates to your field of research.
• Find a position which will attach some value to
  the knowledge and practical skills you have
  acquired but may not apply them directly.
• Go for something completely different.

Real success is finding your lifework in the work
that you love. David McCullough (1933 - )
3
The Postdoctoral Experience

• Concept of a postdoctoral scholar began over a
  century ago.
• Total number in the U.S. has grown to an
  estimated 52,000.
• The postdoctoral experience is first and foremost
  a period of apprenticeship for the purpose of
  gaining scientific technical skills that advance
  the career.

4
TYPES OF POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS

• Universities
• Industry
• National facilities
• Each type of postdoctoral position differs in
• terms of sources of funding, salary, benefits,
• institutional standing, career development
• opportunities, and ability to take ownership
• of a project.

5
Defining the Postdoctoral Position

• Criteria
• The appointee has received a Ph.D. or doctorate
  equivalent.
• The appointment is viewed as an apprenticeship
  a training or transitional period preparatory to
  a long-term academic, industrial, governmental,
  or other full-time research career.
• The appointment involves full-time research or
  scholarship.
• The appointment is temporary.
• The appointee is expected to publish (and receive
  credit for) research or other activities
  performed during the period of the appointment.

6
Responsibilities Of A Postdoc

• Dual responsibilities
• (1) Acquire experiences needed to advance their
  careers.
• (2) Contribute to the program of their advisor
• through research accomplishments and
  interactions with others.

7
Advantages of Postdoctoral Experience

• Opportunity to enhance ones research experience.
• Work towards greater independence and
  self-direction.
• Become known to the research community through
  publications and presenting at scientific
  meetings.
• Advance career by networking with colleagues.
• Develop and/or advance teaching leadership and
  mentoring skills.

8
Disadvantages of Postdoctoral Experience

• Nebulous status not quite student, not quite
  faculty or staff.
• Work hours routinely 12 hrs/day, gt50 hrs/wk.
• Little time for life outside of the lab.
• Independence.
• Pay and benefits.
• Strain on personal lives for both sexes
  starting and maintaining families.
• Financial strain.

9
Key Steps in Preparation For A Postdoctoral
Position

• Choosing a field
• Selection of the research area the postdoctoral
  research project should be more than an extension
  of thesis research it should lead to new skills
  and a broader outlook.
• Postdoc should understand in advance what portion
  of the work is likely to be transportable to his
  or her next job.
• Finding a postdoctoral position
• Personal contacts advisors, contacts from
  professional meetings.
• Ads in journals and on websites.
• Choosing an advisor
• Prestige vs. mentoring ability
• Professor vs. newer Assistant Professor.
• In any case, it is desirable to (a) arrange a
  personal meeting and (b) talk
• with current and former postdocs who have worked
  with that investigator
• or organization.

10
Finding a Postdoctoral Position

• Be creative. Start by determining your best
  skills and favorite subjects. Learn all you can
  about any employer that interests you. Use
  contacts to seek out people who have the power to
  hire you and arrange to talk to them. Seek a
  faculty advisor. Attend as many job fairs and
  meetings that you can.
• Start thinking as early as you can about where
  you might work. Email a prospective mentor.
• Look before you have your degree. It may take
  several months to secure a position.
• Make use of and keep as many contacts as
  possible. You will need them for future
  positions.
• Take charge. Although you seek help from many
  sources, the job search is in your hands.

11
Explore the Organizations Postdoctoral Personnel
Policies

• (1) 1st year stipend/salary for biomedical
  postdocs.
• (2) Employee benefits available to postdocs.
  Many institutions are establishing salary policy
  structures similar to those in government labs
  and at the NIH.
• (3) Institutional support and source of funding.
• (4) How postdocs are catagorized as faculty or
  students?
• (5) Postdoctoral development programs.

12
Questions To Be Asked Of And About A Prospective
Advisor

• What are the advisors expectations of the
  postdoc?
• Will the advisor or the postdoc determine the
  research program?
• How many postdocs has the advisor had and where
  did they go afterwards?
• What do current and past lab members think about
  their experiences?
• How many papers are being published and where?

13
Questions To Be Asked Of And About A Prospective
Advisor, Contd.

• What is the advisors policy on travel to
  meetings? Authorship? Ownership of ideas?
• Will you have practice in grant writing,
  teaching/mentoring, oral presentations,
  manuscript reviews?
• How long is financial support guaranteed and on
  what does renewal depend?
• Can you count on help in finding a position?
• Adapted from Enhancing the postdoctoral
  experience for
• scientists and engineers, 2000.

14
Is A Postdoc For You?

• Decision to undertake a posdoctoral position is
  never easy. You should consult with your
  advisor, other mentors, experienced contacts and
  a career counselor.
• Issues which need to be addressed are
• -- How much one enjoys doing research
• -- Ones level of research skills
• -- The kind of career that seems most attractive
• -- Will the experience raise ones employment
  status?
• -- Is the experience obligatory in your field?
• Zest for research should be the first criterion
  in choosing a postdoctoral opportunity.

15
Is A Postdoc For You?

• Do you think research will be a rewarding and
  enjoyable career choice for you or might science
  policy management, consulting or undergraduate
  teaching make you happier?
• The process of career development and career
  change begins on a foundation of self-awareness.

This above all to thine own self be true.
William Shakespeare
16
Questions To Ask Yourself

• Why you did this degree in the first place?
• What has made you consider alternatives?
• What motivates and interests you?
• What would you do if you had complete freedom?
• What are your personal values?
• What do you hope to get out of a career in the
  long term?
• What factors are restricting your choice?