The changing postdoc and key predictors of satisfaction with professional training

Abstract

Purpose The postdoctoral position was originally created as a short training period for PhD holders on the path to becoming university professors; however, the single-purpose paradigm of training has evolved considerably over time. The purpose of this paper is to report on the opportunities and challenges faced by postdocs as they navigate this complex training period. Design/methodology/approach To better understand the changes in postdoctoral training the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars – l’Association Canadienne des Stagiaires Postdoctoraux (CAPS-ACSP) conducted three professional national surveys of postdocs working in Canada and Canadian postdocs working internationally. Using the data from each survey, the authors investigated demographics, career goals and mental health and developed a theory-based path model for predicting postdoctoral training satisfaction, using structural equation modeling. Findings The analysis revealed that during their training postdocs face mental health symptoms, which play a role in job satisfaction. Additionally, predictors of satisfaction with career training were opportunities for skills development and encouragement from supervisors. Predictors of satisfaction with compensation were salary, skills training, mental health and encouragement from supervisors. Originality/value This first in-depth analysis of mental health symptoms illuminates the postdoc experience in academia. The study highlights the need for substantive changes to address the challenges facing postdoctoral training in the current research model in North America.

Professorial fit: perceptions of engineering postdoctoral scholars

“…While autonomy certainly is a component of the professoriate, some postdoctoral scholars possess an unrealistic view of how autonomy plays out in practice. It is often coupled with managing a heavy workload and chronic stress, with intense pressures to secure external funding and publish to make successful progress toward tenure (Eddy and Gaston-Gayles, 2008; Hudson et al , 2018; Kachchaf et al , 2015; Van Benthem et al , 2020).…”

“…Although some aspiring professors may face negative career outlooks, postdoctoral positions that boost confidence and self-efficacy predict one’s desire to remain in academia (van der Weijden et al , 2016). Encouraging relationships with supervisors and other colleagues also tend to buffer postdoctoral scholars from the stress and burnout that push hopeful academics to turn to industry or governmental employment opportunities (Kim et al , 2019; Van Benthem et al , 2020). Other factors found to draw individuals to the professoriate include an attraction to the life of an academic (Lindholm, 2004); the perception of research autonomy, independence and individual expression (Gibbs and Griffin, 2013; Lindholm, 2004); and a desire to help others (Gibbs and Griffin, 2013; Mendez et al , 2021).…”

“…For instance, researchers have found postdoctoral scholars of color often feel discouraged from pursuing the professoriate because marginalization, microaggressions and outright discrimination have marked their Engineering postdoctoral scholars academic experiences (Jaeger et al, 2017;Mendez et al, 2021;Robinson et al, 2016;Yadav et al, 2020). Other factors that have dissuaded hopeful academics include the norms and pressures associated with academia, a general disdain for grant writing, work-life imbalance, inadequate financial compensation, the political climate of higher education and poor supervisorial relationships (Hudson et al, 2018;Kachchaf et al, 2015;Kim et al, 2019;Van Benthem et al, 2020;Yadav et al, 2020). Possessing a greater understanding of perceptions of professorial fit during the postdoctoral career stage can heighten awareness of the relationship between the postdoctoral experience and the intent to pursue a career as a professor, as well as influence broadening participation efforts in engineering academia.…”

Challenges that Early Career Researchers Face in Academic Research and Publishing

“…Boeren et al, drawing on 23 papers related to ECRs, summarily defined an ECR as an individual 'with less than 10 years of experience from the start of their PhD ' (2015: 69). This group thus includes postdocs who are simultaneously attempting to build their professional research profile, gain recognition, establish networks, obtain funding, and earn a salary within a narrow time frame (van Benthem et al, 2020). Both Boeren et al (2015) and Forbrig (2020) claimed that their definition was the same as that indicated by the European Commission (EC, 2011).…”

“…Generally, in such laboratories, the success of publication output tends to be assigned to the supervisor or PI, who would likely not have achieved this success had there not been a formidable team, engendering a Matthew Effect (Teixeira da Silva, 2021a). Even though some postdocs perform a disproportional amount of work that accounts for the productivity of a laboratory, their careers might still be at risk, especially if there are more postdocs than there are available positions, causing a 'postdoc pile-up' (van Benthem et al, 2020). With an amplified publication curriculum vitae and prestige, funding may be amplified (Bol et al, 2018), but funding tends to be received by the supervisor rather than the ECR.…”