Finding a Good Postdoc: Tips & Resources

WHAT IS A POSTDOCTORAL ASSIGNMENT (POSTDOC):

  • An opportunity to develop additional skills and experience while under the supervision of an experienced researcher
  • It doesn’t need to be in the same field as PhD, but will be longer if requires becoming proficient in new field

PREPARING FOR A POSTDOC WHILE STILL IN GRADUATE SCHOOL:

  • Present your work through departmental seminars and professional association meetings
  • Supervise research of undergraduate students and technicians
  • Participate in drafting research grant proposals
  • Join professional associations and apply for honor societies in your field

SEARCHING FOR A POSTDOC:

  • Network! Go to scientific meetings, talk with PIs whose research you like, make contacts
  • Present at and attend conferences and meetings, read professional association websites and newsletters
  • Ask advisors and mentors for ideas, some may be willing to advocate for you
  • Email advisors or PIs early to express interest in postions

SELECTING A POSTDOC THAT EXCITES YOU:

Choice of a Postdoc Mentor: Consider special skills, rank, reputation, previous trainees, and funding status

  • Established New Principal Investigator (PI): Established PI has rank and influence, while new PI is likely to spend a lot of time in lab and can give more direct training
  • Training Record: Are past trainees in high-level positions? Are current trainees getting quality training?
  • Funding: Does PI have funding to pay postdoc for 3-5 years? Does PI have good extramural funding record?
  • Management Style: Does the PI give postdocs freedom to work independently? What kind of schedule are postdocs expected to follow? Is the lab collaborative or competitive? Does PI supply up-to-date equipment?

Salary and Cost of Living

  • Many Postdocs in academia have roughly same salary nationwide due to federal funding guidelines
  • Postdocs in industry generally pay more, but may not be best choice for those pursuing academic careers because of potential limits on publishing and applying for funding

Select a Laboratory that Suits Your Work and Lifestyle

  • If at all possible, visit the lab before making a decision; consider the reputation of the institution
  • Talk to other graduate students and postdocs in lab to determine work style
  • Think about how you like to work—as part of a team, individually, with what level of supervision?
  • Does lab location and surrounding environment satisfy your non-work interests?
  • Do people in lab work 9am – 5pm, only when experiments need to be done, or all of the time?
  • Do you prefer a lab with a lot of money and space or are tight spaces and budgets okay?
  • Do you want a lab that acts like a “family” and hangs out all the time or sticks to business?
  • How much attention do you want from mentor? More people means less time with mentor

Select a Project with Outcomes that Match Your Career Goals

  • Determine why you want to do a postdoc and what you want to do/where you want to be after completion
  • Avoid strictly continuing work you did in graduate school; a postdoc is an opportunity to diversify your expertise
  • Think carefully before extending your graduate work into a postdoc in same It is unlikely to maximize your gain of broader experience, but that can be offset by rapid and important publications
  • Does lab you are entering have a track record producing high-quality publications?
  • Understand the expectations around publication records in your field, and set goals for yourself
  • Have an understanding with your mentor on your likelihood of first authorship before you start projects
  • Find out about source and duration of funding before accepting position
  • Good mentors will understand that your horizon is independence—your own future lab, group leader,
  • Strive to get your own money—plan ahead for this, as most funds come from joint application with mentor

MAXIMIZING YOUR POSTDOC EXPERIENCE:

Plan for Your Future

  • Have at least two projects underway. Include one that is guaranteed to generate good (if not exciting) results
  • Network and meet other postdocs on campus, serve on campus committees; attend and present at seminars, regional, and national scientific meetings

LIST OF RESOURCES:

MIT Postdoc Resources

Finding and Securing Postdoctoral Positions

General Postdoc Resources and Opportunities

Maximizing the Postdoctoral Experience

Funding Sources

(awardee institutions, government agencies: NIH, NSF, NASA, EPA, USDA; & private organizations)