Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineers A Guide for Postdoctoral Scholars, Advisers, Institutions, Funding Organizations, and Disciplinary Societies (2000) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix E: Summary of Results from Institutional Focus Groups
Appendix E: Summary of Results from Institutional Focus Groups
Pages 175-184
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From page 175... ...
The following institutions assisted the staff in this process: Universities: Caltech, University of Chicago, Howard University, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, North Carolina State University, Stanford University, University of Maryland at Baltimore. National labs and agencies: Argonne National Laboratory, Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA)
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From page 176... ...
Attaining full professional status may occur slowly, if the postdoc seldom leaves the research facility, or more quickly, if the adviser provides opportunities to interact with others, to take on new responsibilities, and to understand the context and traditions of research.
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From page 177... ...
· Few institutions have centralized offices or officers designated to address issues of concern to postdocs, clarify policies, or answer questions. Many foreign postdocs receive little or no orientation before or after arrival, and waste considerable time and energy searching for answers to relatively straightforward questions about visa requirements and American culture.
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From page 178... ...
The 40 percent or so of postdocs who are supported by federal fellowships, federal traineeships, and nonfederal (including foreign) sources may or may not receive benefits, while the 60 percent or so of postdocs who are supported on research grants usually receive standard institutional benefits.
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From page 179... ...
Some postdocs described a need for a national postdoctoral association. Foreign National and Minority Postdocs · Postdocs who are non-US citizens often have poor postdoctoral experiences characterized by difficulties with language, funding, visa status, mentoring, and/or acculturation.
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From page 180... ...
OTHER OPINIONS From postdocs · There was much discussion of how many job classifications exist, and how important they can be. "Fellows," in particular, complained about their lack of benefits, vis-a-vis "research associates." There were also many stories about the inequities of salaries and stipends, such as instances where lab directories gave very different amounts to equally qualified people for no apparent reason.
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From page 181... ...
· Many felt they were being used as technicians and not really encouraged to learn new skills and areas. · Postdocs at a leading industry lab felt they were more than trainees: "We're proving ourselves, and learning new skills." Some postdocs at industrial labs felt they had a greater variety of stimulating research opportunities than postdocs at universities and more freedom to choose their research areas, although their work still had to support the theme of their mentor' s work.
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From page 182... ...
· Some advisers warned that if universities don't treat postdocs more "humanely," they will not be able to attract the "best and brightest" to academia. Other advisers favor a more "free market" approach, whereby researchers follow the most interesting opportunities, including those in the private sector.
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From page 183... ...
· In the view of some funding organizations, the variability in classification is not a bad thing: "The system needs flexibility to operate." Some officials at federal funding organizations are reluctant to specify the status of postdocs at various institutions, or otherwise dictate how grant money should be used. "We don't want to be seen as intrusive." The NSF has begun a more explicit effort to encourage good mentoring in recent years, primarily through the general tone and specific requirements of its research grant application forms.
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From page 184... ...
Many postdocs, especially at universities, expressed dissatisfaction with established practices of mentoring, compensation, recognition, and career development, and were pessimistic about their job prospects. Faculty, while often sympathetic, tended to say that a good postdoctoral experience is the responsibility of the postdoc, and that those who are qualified and do their work will find the right jobs.
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