How to find a science postdoctoral position Carol Thornber, PhD Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences University of Rhode Island [email protected].

How to find a science How to find a science postdoctoral positionpostdoctoral position

Carol Thornber, PhDCarol Thornber, PhDAssistant Professor, Biological SciencesAssistant Professor, Biological Sciences

University of Rhode IslandUniversity of Rhode [email protected]@uri.edu

Talk OutlineTalk Outline

What is a postdoc?What is a postdoc?

How do you find postdoc openings?How do you find postdoc openings?

Getting the most out of your postdocGetting the most out of your postdoc


Need PhD or equivalent (e.g. MD)Need PhD or equivalent (e.g. MD) Full time research/teachingFull time research/teaching Appointment from 1-5 yearsAppointment from 1-5 years Supervised by mentor/advisorSupervised by mentor/advisor Prep. for professional/academic career Prep. for professional/academic career

Independent or on someone’s grantIndependent or on someone’s grant

History of postdocsHistory of postdocs

First postdocs-- 1876-- at Johns Hopkins U.First postdocs-- 1876-- at Johns Hopkins U. Recent increase in postdocsRecent increase in postdocs

In 1975: 16,000 postdocsIn 1975: 16,000 postdocs In 1995: 35,00 postdocsIn 1995: 35,00 postdocs Today: over 50,000 postdocsToday: over 50,000 postdocs Out of 350 doctorate-granting institutions Out of 350 doctorate-granting institutions

surveyed, more than two-thirds from 50 surveyed, more than two-thirds from 50 institutionsinstitutions

What types of postdocs exist?What types of postdocs exist?

AcademiaAcademia

GovernmentGovernment

Industry/NonprofitsIndustry/Nonprofits

The good & the bad of postdocsThe good & the bad of postdocs

Good: Good: Opportunity to develop new, independent research Opportunity to develop new, independent research

projectproject Form new collaborationsForm new collaborations FlexibilityFlexibility

Bad: Bad: Low payLow pay Nebulous statusNebulous status

Do YOU need to do a postdoc?Do YOU need to do a postdoc?

Determine your ULTIMATE career goalDetermine your ULTIMATE career goal Is a postdoc needed/useful for career goal?Is a postdoc needed/useful for career goal?

Pitfalls: Postdocs may…Pitfalls: Postdocs may… Fail to find full time employment afterwardsFail to find full time employment afterwards Receive insufficient mentoring/supportReceive insufficient mentoring/support Not have enough independence to establish Not have enough independence to establish

themselves as scientiststhemselves as scientists





How to find a postdocHow to find a postdoc

Biggest resource::: networkingBiggest resource::: networking

Go to lots of meetings, talk with PIs whose Go to lots of meetings, talk with PIs whose research you likeresearch you like

Ask your colleagues/advisorsAsk your colleagues/advisors

Email potential mentorsEmail potential mentors

How to find a postdoc: specificHow to find a postdoc: specific

Science Science http://nextwave.sciencemag.org/http://nextwave.sciencemag.org/ Nature Nature http://www.naturejobs.comhttp://www.naturejobs.com The Chronicle of Higher Education The Chronicle of Higher Education

http://www.chronicle.comhttp://www.chronicle.com

How to find a postdoc: specificHow to find a postdoc: specific

Major funding agency Major funding agency websites:websites: NSFNSF NIHNIH NOAANOAA ……and others!and others!

Professional societies:Professional societies:

WebsitesWebsites ListserversListservers MeetingsMeetings

Individual university websitesIndividual university websites

How to find a postdoc: specificHow to find a postdoc: specific Research organizations (examples):Research organizations (examples):

Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoriesLawrence Livermore National Laboratories Los Alamos National LaboratoriesLos Alamos National Laboratories Monterey Bay Aquarium Research InstituteMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Professional websites:Professional websites: www.findapostdoc.comwww.findapostdoc.com (Europe only) (Europe only) www.postdocjobs.comwww.postdocjobs.com http://www7.nationalacademies.org/postdoc/http://www7.nationalacademies.org/postdoc/

Things to consider…Things to consider…

Different fields - will broaden your CVDifferent fields - will broaden your CV New “hot” topics with more fundingNew “hot” topics with more funding Geography: where to live?Geography: where to live?

United StatesUnited States InternationalInternational

Postdocs At UC DavisPostdocs At UC Davis

UCD Office of Grad Studies’ website UCD Office of Grad Studies’ website http://gradstudies.ucdavis.eduhttp://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu

PROF (Professors of the Future, PROF (Professors of the Future, http://prof.ucdavis.eduhttp://prof.ucdavis.edu))

UC President’s Postdoctoral FellowshipUC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship

What to look for in your mentorWhat to look for in your mentor

Is this person active in their field? Is this person active in their field? (publications, grants, etc)(publications, grants, etc)

What are his/her grad students, postdocs What are his/her grad students, postdocs working on?working on?

Will this person be a good colleague?Will this person be a good colleague? What is the funding situation?What is the funding situation?

Before you accept an offer….Before you accept an offer….

Is this what you want??Is this what you want?? Confirm in an offer letter:Confirm in an offer letter:

SalarySalary Benefits (family coverage?)Benefits (family coverage?) Starting, ending datesStarting, ending dates Expectations of your researchExpectations of your research

Evaluate the institutionEvaluate the institution

Before you accept an offer….Before you accept an offer….

Make sure you will be done with your PhD Make sure you will be done with your PhD PRIOR to the starting datePRIOR to the starting date

Take time off!Take time off!





What to expect when you startWhat to expect when you start

Ability to get a new project up and running Ability to get a new project up and running QUICKLYQUICKLY

Different dynamics than grad studentsDifferent dynamics than grad students

What to expect when you startWhat to expect when you start

Ability to get a new project up and running Ability to get a new project up and running QUICKLYQUICKLY

Different dynamics than grad studentsDifferent dynamics than grad students Advise, mentor grads and undergradsAdvise, mentor grads and undergrads

And/OrAnd/Or Run the labRun the lab Look for local postdoc network for infoLook for local postdoc network for info

Make the most of your time!Make the most of your time!

Meet, network with range of Meet, network with range of faculty/colleaguesfaculty/colleagues NOT just your mentor(s)!NOT just your mentor(s)!

Participate in seminars, group research Participate in seminars, group research projectsprojects

Publish like madPublish like mad

Make the most of your time!Make the most of your time!

Go to meetings and more meetings, even if you have Go to meetings and more meetings, even if you have to pay for themto pay for them

Look for supplemental (funding) opportunitiesLook for supplemental (funding) opportunities

TEACH A COURSE, if you want to become a TEACH A COURSE, if you want to become a professorprofessor

Start looking for “real” jobs….Start looking for “real” jobs….

Develop your careerDevelop your career Make your research independent of your grad, Make your research independent of your grad,

postdoc mentors postdoc mentors Network, network, networkNetwork, network, network Realize that a postdoc is not a permanent Realize that a postdoc is not a permanent

positionposition

For more information….For more information….

UCD Postdoctoral Scholars’ AssociationUCD Postdoctoral Scholars’ Associationhttp://postdocs.ucdavis.eduhttp://postdocs.ucdavis.edu

Postdoc Network (Science’s Nextwave) Postdoc Network (Science’s Nextwave) http://nextwave.sciencemag.org/pdn/index.shtml

Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineers: A Guide for Postdoctoral Scholars, Advisers, Institutions,Funding Organizations, and Disciplinary Societies

http://books.nap.edu/catalog/9831.html (under $12)

THANK YOU:THANK YOU:

Joanne BookmeyerJoanne Bookmeyer Tom PeavyTom Peavy

How to find a science postdoctoral position Carol Thornber, PhD Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences University of Rhode Island [email protected].

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