Choosing a Postdoctoral Position
Resources
PLoS Computational Biology: Ten Simple Rules for Selecting a Postdoctoral Position
"You are a PhD candidate and your thesis defense is already in sight. You have decided you would
like to continue with a postdoctoral position rather than moving into industry as the next
step in your career (that decision should be the subject of another “Ten Simple Rules”).
Further, you already have ideas for the type of research you wish to pursue and perhaps some
ideas for specific projects. Here are ten simple rules to help you make the best decisions on a
research project and the laboratory in which to carry it out."
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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"
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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?"
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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."
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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?
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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."
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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.
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The "Right" Postdoc Mentor
by Robert J. Dooling. "What should a new trainee look for in identifying a postdoc mentor?"
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Plan for a Positive Postdoc
NatureJobs, April 27, 2005. Something you can do to improve the odds you will have a positive postdoctoral experience.
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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.
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