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Choosing a Postdoctoral Position

Up to Postdoctoral Life
Advice on finding the best postdoc for you.
Choosing an Advisor / PI / Boss



Going In With Eyes Open
"A checklist of questions has been written by the International Postdoctoral Committee (IPC) of the NPA to aid prospective postdocs in search of positions that will give them a fulfilling experience. By reading through these questions, by understanding the reasoning behind them, and by finding out the answers that are important for you, you will develop a much clearer idea of what a particular postdoctoral position has to offer. We hope that this checklist will empower those considering a postdoc, especially international candidates who are not acquainted with the US system, to find appointments that suit his/her needs."
Postdoc Survival Skills
Paige Gordon, Chronicle Careers. "As I've circled around the tracks of multiple fellowships in the social sciences, I've picked up some insights. For anyone embarking upon a similar path, I humbly offer the following lessons on the postdoctoral race"
Advice on Choosing a Successful Post-doctoral Position
ASCB Women in Cell Biology. "Choosing the right post-doctoral position can be one of the most important decisions of a scientist's professional life. But some post-docs are unhappily surprised to discover that their chosen lab seems to be totally different when they arrive than it did the day they interviewed. How can a prospective post-doc make a solid choice that is good for her or him and good for the lab?"
Know how to beat the odds
New Scientist, March, 2006. "An aspiring postdoctoral scholar could be forgiven for feeling some anxiety about the next few years of their career. Open any science magazine and you'll be told that life as a postdoc can be fraught with perils such as low pay, few benefits and, worst of all, a lack of career prospects. It doesn't have to be like that. If you know how to navigate the system, you can emerge with the skills needed to progress to the next stage."
From industry to academia - Naturejobs 20 May 2004)
A postdoc stint in industry can mean better pay and superior facilities. But will doing such a fellowship jeopardize your academic aspirations? Beth Martin investigates.
In Pursuit of a Postdoc
Chronicle Careers, Dec 14, 2004. "My mentors have told me that as a postdoc candidate, I will be a 'slam-dunk.' However, my early experiences searching for an appointment have suggested otherwise."
Stacking the deck - Naturejobs Postdocs & Students | 17th April 2003 |
Without doing the homework, choosing a postdoc position is a bit like picking a playing card at random. Karen Kreeger advises on how to come up trumps.
Finding the Perfect Postdoc for You
Advice from Carol Manahan. "Since finding a good postdoctoral position (postdoc) is vital for your career aspirations, you should approach the postdoc search professionally. I would like to share with you what I have learned, defining 12 steps that I used to find my perfect postdoc position."
Getting into good company, Naturejobs 25th April 2002
New PhDs used to approach industrial postdoctorates with some trepidation. Such positions had a reputation for allowing little, if any, publication. PhDs who accepted them felt that they were sealing off their options of any future academic career. But although these issues warrant consideration, they are not true in every case.
The "Right" Postdoc Mentor
by Robert J. Dooling. "What should a new trainee look for in identifying a postdoc mentor?"
Location, Location, Location - Naturejobs Feb 13 2003
When a postdoc has a choice about where to go for a fellowship, how much do non-scientific factors like cost of living weigh on the final decision?
Plan for a Positive Postdoc
NatureJobs, April 27, 2005. Something you can do to improve the odds you will have a positive postdoctoral experience.
Frequently Asked Questions from sci.research.careers
The collected wisdom of sci.research.careers on going to graduate school, doing a postdoc, and alternative careers.