Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineers A Guide for Postdoctoral Scholars, Advisers, Institutions, Funding Organizations, and Disciplinary Societies (2000) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
The Postdoc and the Adviser
The Postdoc and the Adviser
Pages 57-69
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From page 57... ...
Creating a productive mentoring relationship takes considerable time and effort on both sides, however, it is important for advisers and postdocs alike to appreciate its unique tensions and potential benefits. The tensions are, to some extent, built in: The investigator's lack of time or inclination for mentoring leaves ample room for misunderstandings or neglect.
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From page 58... ...
From the postdoc's point of view, advisers can contribute to a varied learning experience that comprises many kinds of skills in addition to technical ones: developing a plan of research, managing time, supervising students and technicians, overall lab management, deciding when and where to publish, creating a network of professional contacts, acquiring "career" skills (such as communication and teamwork) , understanding ethical and proprietary issues, and, eventually, finding a regular job.
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From page 59... ...
The attempt may or may not succeed at the outset, but it serves the purposes of stimulating early communication, teaching the importance of thinking strategically, and moving the postdoc forward. Laying out research objectives should be a mutual responsibility until the postdoc is ready to conceive, plan, and execute his or her own research project.
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From page 60... ...
Advisers can help by reviewing and discussing the work and urging the postdoc toward publication. They should also take meticulous care to give the postdoc proper credit for authorship, seminars, disciplinary society presentations, and other achievements.
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From page 61... ...
Attending professional meetings is one of the most important ways a postdoc can enhance professional visibility, gain confidence, and build a network of contacts. An adviser can save time and share power with postdocs by asking them to present research results at meetings.
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From page 62... ...
to complete major projects, and postdocs need the freedom to find their own challenges. A postdoc is in the lab not only to make valuable scientific contributions but also to expand his or her accomplishments.
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From page 64... ...
Many postdocs, especially in universities, express concern that they seldom or never receive formal evaluations. Half the institutions responding to the COSEPUP survey required "no official performance reviews of any type" (see Box)
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From page 65... ...
Given the importance of responsible conduct to both the research enterprise and the careers of individual researchers, a mentor should ensure that postdocs are instructed about any ethical issues of relevance to a particular program. Such issues may include data management, the use of human subjects, experiments on animals, conflicts of interest, resolving ethical dilemmas, whistle blowing, and handling research sponsored by a for-profit entity.2 Resolving disputes.
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From page 66... ...
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From page 67... ...
Foreign postdocs may suffer disproportionately from lab disputes, especially if they depend on their adviser to maintain their visa status. Finding a regular job.
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From page 68... ...
Scientists and engineers change positions often, and advisers can be invaluable allies in helping with the next step along the career path, whenever it comes.
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