What Every Postdoc Needs to Know

Abstract

Thinking of starting a postdoc? Want to know how to move on from a postdoc? Or simply want to make the best of your postdoc years? Being a postdoc is not a career ... but it can be the pivotal point in the making of one. This friendly, practical, and occasionally humorous guide to all things postdoc combines the three authors’ vast experience of postdoc careers and personal development. This is a guide to developing, advancing and furthering yourself and your career. In working through exercises, learning from the experience of others (including the trials and tribulations of the authors), and seeking out information, we hope you will consider what success means on your own terms. In its pages you will find advice on: Choosing the right postdoc for you Maximising your postdoc contract for personal and professional goals Selecting and attaining your next career step (academic or otherwise) Your postdoc is part of the journey towards a range of career destinations; from an industrial R&D specialist to politician, from lecturer to spin-out Chief Executive, and this book is designed to help you get there. Providing indispensable advice on UK-based postdocs for national and international students, it is perfect for those making exciting transitions (student to postdoc, postdoc to the wide world of careers beyond) or for those who simply want to take their postdoc up a gear

What supervisors and universities can do to enhance doctoral student experience (and how they can help themselves)

“… 2015 ). Critically, this lack of understanding of employability skills and opportunity continues throughout postdoctoral stages (junior researchers) (Gibbs, McGready and Griffin 2015 ; Elvidge, Spencely and Williams 2017 ). Furthermore, even those who successfully acquire an academic career have reported feeling the doctorate did not adequately prepare them for the range of activities the role now entails (Sinclair, Barnacle and Cuthbert 2014 ).…”

“… 2014 ). This postdoctoral period remains a critical period wherein high-quality careers advice is necessary (Elvidge, Spencely and Williams 2017 ). Within each university, there should be careers support that is able to provide tailored guidance to doctoral researchers and postdoctoral fellows.…”

“…This extends the ideas presented by Denicolo and Reeves ( 2013 ) about how transferable skills, marketed effectively, can enhance employability. Drawing on this work and on Elvidge, Spencely and Williams ( 2017 ) work that bridges the gap between the doctoral and postdoctoral research, the following recommendations for prospective and active doctoral researchers emerge. Anyone taking the bold leap into doctoral research should prepare well by investigating for goodness of fit of their needs and expectations with the available supervisory arrangements, the doctoral programme structure(s), the research culture of the potential venue (university) and the training opportunities provided.…”