Striving Transition for University Academics: The Academic Role Identity of Young Postdocs at Universities in China

Abstract

Since implementing the postdoctoral system in China, the number and quality of postdocs have improved greatly. Under the policy of creating world-class universities, most universities have focused unprecedentedly on recruiting postdoctoral fellows, and the management regulations for postdocs have become increasingly diverse. Through in-depth interviews with postdoctoral fellows at three universities in a metropolitan city, we found that postdoctoral roles have been multidimensional and sometimes conflicting, including the quasi-role of university teacher, the rigid role of independent researcher, the inertial role of student and the unofficial role of associate supervisor. Sociocultural norms, institutional contexts, and professional community shape these role identities.

Precarious careers: Postdoctoral Researchers and Wellbeing at work

“…This resonated with other international research findings (e.g. Pitt, Alp & Shell, 2021;Ysseldyk et al, 2019;Song & Yang, 2023). Whereas on one hand the respondents experienced high stress levels, on the other hand we found several compensating factors, which resulted in an ambivalent, more balanced situation.…”

“…Our literature overview (re)confirms the dual controversy, since several of the studies (Van Bethem et al, 2019, Ysseldyk et al, 2019, Song & Yang, 2023 confirm the link between lack of (clarity about) career prospective and the mental health of the postdocs. In addition, it seems that Morin et al ( 2022) & Pitt et al (2021) reconfirm the link between the invisibility and weak connection with the organization of the postdocs and their mental health.…”