Postdocs: What are they and how do I find one? Dr. Nicole Michel (Nicole.Michel@ usask.ca ) and Dr. Lori Bradford ( [email protected]), PDFs, School of Environment & Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan Dr. Alex Bond ([email protected]), VRF, Environment Canada and University of Saskatchewan
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Postdocs: What are they and how do I find one? Dr. Nicole Michel ([email protected]) and Dr. Lori Bradford ([email protected]), PDFs, School.
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Postdocs: What are they and how do I find one?
Dr. Nicole Michel ([email protected]) and Dr. Lori Bradford ([email protected]), PDFs, School of Environment & Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Alex Bond ([email protected]), VRF, Environment Canada and University of Saskatchewan
I. IntroductionII. General advice for selecting a postdocIII. Writing your own postdoc IV. Applying for existing postdocsV. Networking to find a postdoc VI. Is a postdoc for me? VII. Group discussion of any other postdoc-
related issues, questions, and concerns.
Who are we?
Dr. Nicole Michel, SENS Ph.D., Tulane University, May 2012 Lecturer, Tulane University, Fall 2012 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, U Sask, Jan 2013 –
Dr. Alex Bond, Environment Canada Ph.D., Memorial University of Newfoundland, August 2011 Postdoc, University of Saskatchewan Biology, 2011 - 2013 Visiting Research Fellow, Environment Canada, 2013 –
Dr. Lori Bradford, SENS Ph.D., Lincoln University, Dec 2009 Part-time Professor and Lecturer, Jan 2010 – Apr 2011 Postdoctoral Fellow, Lakehead University, Aug - Oct 2011 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, USask, Oct 2012 – Mother and wife
I. Introduction
A. What is a postdoc?
B. What kinds of postdocs are there?
C. Who are postdocs?
What is a postdoc?
“Postdoc” refers both to a type of employment, and the person who does that work
Typically short-term (1-5 year) teaching and/or research positions held shortly after the PhD
Preparation for professional/academic career First postdoc: 1876 at Johns Hopkins Number of postdocs increasing
1975: 16,000 1995: 35,000 Today: >50,000
What kinds of postdocs are there? Postdocs available in:
Academia Industry/Non-profits Government
Postdocs may consist of: Research
Independent Existing
Teaching Service
Oregon State University
Postdoc job titles
The Canadian postdoc stratigraphy:
• ½ men, ½ women (53:47%)• ½ completed highest degree outside of Canada• Average postdoc is in their 30’s and married (69%)• Most expect to hold postdoc positions for 3-5
years (70%)• 1 in 3 have dependent children• 2/3 earn less than $45000 and have no access to
benefits• 46% Life Science, 32% in Physical Sciences or
Engineering, 14% in Social Sciences• Most are happy with work environment and
independence, but most are concerned with salary, career development, professional training, benefits
• More than half not exposed to career opportunities outside academia, 87% have no access to career counselling
• Can be labelled “employee, student, trainee, intern, independent contractor”
*2013 The Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars/L'Association Canadienne de Stagiaires Post-doctoraux (CAPS-ACSP) and Mitacs.
GENERAL ADVICE FOR SELECTING A POSTDOC
Dr. Nicole Michel, PDF, SENS
Ten Simple Rules for Selecting a Postdoctoral Position (Bourne & Friedberg 2006)1. Select a position that excites you2. Select a laboratory that suits your work
and lifestyle3. Select a laboratory and project that
develop new skills – diversify!4. Have a backup plan(s)5. Choose a project with tangible
Killam Postdoctoral Fellowships UBC, University of Calgary,
University of Alberta, Dalhousie University Each university runs their own competition $44,000-50,000/year for 2 years Application deadlines vary by university
(some in the fall, others in winter) Generally require a proposal, CV, letters of
support, … ~2-4 awarded by each university each year
Canadian Northern Studies Trust $50,000/year for 2 years + $10,000 for travel Research in the Canadian North (defined as
the permafrost line) Canadian citizens & permanent residents only PhD within 2 years of the application deadline Letters of support from supervisor, university;
transcripts; research proposal Deadline: 31 January 2014
At least 12-18 months before you want to start a postdoc
Account for application deadlines E.g., NSF applications due in autumn the
year before you want to start, many private apps. in Jan/Feb
Identify a potential supervisor early on and develop a proposal together
One proposal can be easily modified for several competitions (recycle!)
Making your own postdoc in the US Using existing pools of money Some funds go with you, not your
supervisor/lab, but most funds are linked to specific labs & projects
Highly competitive Few sources
more than in Canada, but there are also more applicants
National Science Foundation Independent Federal agency created by
the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 “to promote the progress of science; [and] to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of science and engineering.”
Multiple divisions, funding sources
NSF Postdoctoral research fellowships
Programs are subdivided by research area Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS-PRF) Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF) East Asia & Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI)* Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research (MSPRF) Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability
Fellows (SEES) Ocean Sciences Research Fellowships (OCE-PRF) Postdoctoral Fellowships in Polar Regions Research (PRR-
PRF)† Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE-PRF) Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
* For graduate students, must be enrolled at time of application† Suspended April 2013, may be reinstated
Programs are subdivided by research area Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS-PRF) Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF) East Asia & Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI)* Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research (MSPRF) Science, Engineering, and Education for
Sustainability Fellows (SEES) Ocean Sciences Research Fellowships (OCE-PRF) Postdoctoral Fellowships in Polar Regions Research (PRR-
PRF)† Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE-PRF) Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
* For graduate students, must be enrolled at time of application† Suspended April 2013, may be reinstated
Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability Fellows (SEES) “Seeks to advance science, engineering, and education to inform the
societal actions needed for environmental and economic sustainability and human well-being while creating the necessary workforce to address these challenges”
Who can apply: US citizen, national, or permanent resident; have the PhD by the start date; <36 months post-PhD. Others may apply through affiliation with universities, colleges, or non-profits.
Stipend: $88,000/yr including benefits Research funds: $60,000 over 3 years Indirect: none Funds transportable: yes if applying as unaffiliated individual Duration: 3 years Due dates: November 26, 2013 Number of awards annually: 15-20 Application limits: 1 per applicant, no limits per university
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) Four areas: (1) Broadening Participation in Biology; (2) Intersections of
Biology and Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Engineering; (3) National Plant Genome Initiative Postdoctoral Research Fellowships; and (4) International Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology
Who can apply: US citizen, national, or permanent resident; have PhD in science, math, or engineering by the start date; <12 months full-time employed post-PhD; have not accepted academic appointment; have received <$20,000 federal funding (not counting GRFP, DDIG)
Stipend: $54,000/yr Research funds: $15,000/year (no foreign travel) Indirect: none Funds transportable: Yes. May work in US or internationally Duration: Area 1: 3 yrs + 1 yr teaching (optional); Area 2: 2 yrs + 1 yr
abroad (optional) + 1 yr teaching (optional); Area 3: 3 years; Area 4: 2 years
Due dates: October 8, 2013 Number of awards annually: 15 per competitive area Application limits: 1/year, 2 consecutive per applicant, no limits per
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE-PRF) Two tracks: (1) Broadening Participation, (2) Interdisciplinary
Research in Behavioral and Social Sciences Who can apply: US citizen, national, or permanent resident;
obtained PhD <24 mos. before application or within 10 mos after deadline; no full-time tenure-track position. Must be affiliated with university or non-profit through which proposal is submitted.
Stipend: $45,000/yr + fringe benefits per institutional rates Research funds: $10,000/year Indirect: included at institution’s indirect rate, in addition to
stipend & research funds Funds transportable: No Duration: 2 years Due dates: Last Monday in October Number of awards annually: 15 Application limits: 1/year, 2 consecutive per applicant, no limits
Science, Technology, and Society (STS) Research into the interface between science (including
engineering) or technology, and society, using social science, historical, and philosophical methods
Who can apply: US citizen, national, or permanent resident; obtained PhD <5 years before start; no full-time tenure-track position. Can not work at Ph.D. institution
Stipend: $75,000/yr including indirect Research funds: none Indirect: included at institution’s indirect rate, deducted from
stipend Funds transportable: Yes if made to individual Duration: 2 years Due dates: February 1, August 1 Number of awards annually: 15 Application limits: none
Population and Community Ecology, Systematics & Biodiversity Science
SBE: Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Social and Economic Sciences, Office of Multidisciplinary Activities BCS: Anthropological Sciences, Geography &
Environmental Sciences, Psychological & Language Sciences, Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Science Research
Application process (DEB)
Pre-proposal (5 pgs.): January 23 Full proposal (if invited): August 4 May only be PI, Co-PI, or lead senior investigator on
2 proposals/year Budget: flexible. In 2014 $72M for ~200 awards May be submitted by:
Universities and colleges (typical) Non-profits or for-profit (rare) organizations Unaffiliated individuals (rare, must be US citizens)
PI typically a senior scientist. Postdoc helps write the grant, may or may not be listed as Co-PI
Awards for junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through research & education.
Who can apply: US universities, colleges, or non-profits; PI must hold PhD; be on tenure-track but untenured until 1 Oct after deadline; have not received CAREER award
Application date: late July Budget: $500,000 BIO & Polar, $400,000 other Indirect: included in budget Duration: 5 years Number of awards: 600/year Application limits: 1 per competition Highly competitive: <10% funding rate
Early-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) Funding mechanism used to support exploratory
work in early stages on untested research ideas High risk / high payoff Must contact NSF program officer pre-submission Project description 5-8 pages Internal merit review only Budget: up to $300,000 Duration: up to 2 years Extensions and supplemental funding available
Special solicitations provide opportunities for funding on selected topics, often cross-cutting Assembling the Tree of Life Dimensions of Biodiversity Dynamics of Coupled Natural & Human
Systems Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease
s Long-Term Ecological Research MacroSystems Biology
American Philosophical Society Franklin Research Grants (small funds - up to $6,000 - for research)
Columbia Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Earth, Environmental, and Ocean Sciences
Columbia University Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellowships
Harvard University Environmental Fellows Program Life Sciences Research Foundation Michigan Society of Fellows National Academy of the Sciences National Institutes of Health Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences
• Aims to “attract and retain top-tier postdoctoral talent, both nationally and internationally, to develop their leadership potential and to position them for success as research leaders of tomorrow, positively contributing to Canada’s economic, social and research-based growth through a research-intensive career.”
• Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are valued at $70,000 per year (taxable) for two years.
• IDRC – International Development Research Center – opportunities for researchers you know to write you into their budgets http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Pages/default.aspx
• United Nations University: http://www.ias.unu.edu/sub_page.aspx?catID=6&ddlID=127
• Other agencies – AgCanada, Environment Canada, Matched funding with Mitacs – Mitacs Elevate program:
Upsides of applying for existing postdocs The money already exists => lower risk Quicker turn-around (often 1-6 months) Good as a backup plan
Downsides of applying for existing postdocs Lower risk = lower reward. May not be as
prestigious as writing your own (depending on who you work with)
You’re working on someone else’s project Study area, and perhaps project design, already chosen May have less independence and freedom
Job search sites
AGU (American Geophysical Union) APECS (Assoc. of Polar Early Career Scientists) CAGLIST (Canadian Assoc. of Geographers) Chronicle of Higher Education (postdoc, academia) Conservation Job Board Duke University Physiological Ecology Job Board Ecolog (Ecology listserv) Environmental Career Opportunities ESA Physiological Ecology Section Evol postdoc job board (McMaster University) HigherEd Jobs (postdoc, lecturer and faculty jobs) HigherEdSpace
NASA (NASA Postdoctoral Program opportunities) Nature Jobs Ornithological Jobs (birds) PAGES (Past Global Changes) PhDs.org Postdoc Jobs Science Careers Jobs Society for Conservation Biology Job Board Texas A&M Wildlife & Fisheries Job Board USAJobs (government jobs, mostly US citizens) The Wildlife Society Job Board