The concept of postdoctoral training came to science and engineering about a century ago. Since the 1960s, the performance of research in the United States has increasingly relied on these recent PhDs who work on a full-time, but on a temporary basis, to gain additional research experience in preparation for a professional research career. Such experiences are increasingly seen as central to careers in research, but for many, the postdoctoral experience falls short of expectations. Some postdocs indicate that they have not received the recognition, standing or compensation that is commensurate with their experience and skills. Is this the case? If so, how can the postdoctoral experience be enhanced for the over 40,000 individuals who hold these positions at university, government, and industry laboratories? This new book offers its assessment of the postdoctoral experience and provides principles, action points, and recommendations for enhancing that experience.

Contents

• The National Academies
• Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy
• Project Guidance Group
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• A Note on Using This Guide
• Executive Summary
  • Guiding Principles
  • Ten Action Points
• 1. Postdoctoral Scholars in US Institutions
  • Population growth
  • A changing pattern
  • The importance of postdocs to research
  • Postdoctoral terms
  • Multiple postdoctoral positions
  • Unmet expectations
  • Variations by field and sector
  • Increasing age
  • A debate over responsibility
• 2. Features of the Postdoctoral Population
  • Postdocs in Different Disciplines
  • Sources of Funding for Postdocs
  • Postdocs in Different Sectors
  • Sub-Populations of Postdocs
• 3. Rights, Opportunities, and Responsibilities of the Postdoc
  • Rights of a Postdoc
  • Opportunities of Postdoctoral Experience
  • Responsibilities of a Postdoc
  • Shaping a Career
• 4. The Postdoc and the Adviser
  • The Adviser as Mentor
  • Responsibilities of the Adviser
• 5. The Postdoc and the Institution
  • The Institutional Status of the Postdoc
  • Incorporating the Postdoc into the Institution
  • Other Responsibilities of the Institution
• 6. The Postdoc and the Funding Organization
  • Levels of Funding
  • Sources of Funding
  • Opportunities of Funding Organizations
• 7. The Postdoc and the Disciplinary Societies
• 8. Principles, Action Points, and Recommendations for Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience
  • Principles
  • Action Points
  • Recommendations
  • Looking toward the Future
• Bibliography
• Appendixes
  • Appendix A. Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy: Member and Staff Biographical Information
  • Appendix B. Analysis of Quantitative Data on Postdocs
  • Appendix C. Results of Survey of Organizations with Postdoctoral Scholars
  • Appendix D. Summary of Workshop on Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience
  • Appendix E. Summary of Results from Institutional Focus Groups

Suggested citation:

National Academy of Engineering 2000. Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineers: A Guide for Postdoctoral Scholars, Advisers, Institutions, Funding Organizations, and Disciplinary Societies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/9831.

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NOTICE: This volume was produced as part of a project approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. It is a result of work done by the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (COSEPUP) as augmented, which has authorized its release to the public. This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by COSEPUP and the Report Review Committee.

The Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (COSEPUP) is a joint committee of the NAS, the NAE, and the IOM. It includes members of the councils of all three bodies.

Financial Support: The development of this report was supported by the National Research Council, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Sloan Foundation. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute does not assume responsibility for activities supported by the grant, for project results, or for their interpretation.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 00-106115

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Cover illustration by Leigh Coriale.

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