What does a postdoctoral researcher do?
A postdoc is primarily a researcher who works under the supervision of a mentor as part of a larger research group. As such, they conduct research, either on a pre-specified project or one of their own design and publish that research.
What is a postdoc scholar?
In the US, a postdoctoral scholar is an individual holding a doctoral degree who is engaged in mentored research or scholarly training for the purpose of acquiring the professional skills needed to pursue a career path of his or her choosing.
What is the purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship?
The main goal of a postdoctoral fellowship is to develop your professional and academic skills while still under the mentorship of an experienced researcher. You will likely have more flexibility in terms of the funding you apply for and the direction of your research.
Can you do a postdoc without a PhD?
As an aside, by definition you cannot hold a postdoctoral position without having a doctorate. The term literally means “after doctorate” and therefore requiress first gaining a doctorate. Any position you hold before obtaining a doctorate is by definition a pre-doctoral position.
Is doing a postdoc worth it?
Academia has perpetuated the myth that doing a postdoc increases your chances of getting hired in industry and other non-academic career tracks. But this simply isn’t true. The truth is that doing or staying in a postdoc hurts your chances of being hired. Doing or staying in a postdoc reduces your career trajectory.
What is a postdoc salary?
The average postdoc salary in the USA is $54,399 per year or $27.90 per hour. Entry level positions start at $50,000 per year while most experienced workers make up to $76,500 per year. $54,399.
Where do Harvard postdocs live?
Many FAS employeees and postdocs live in the neighborhoods closest to the Cambridge campus, namely Cambridge, Arlington, Allston, Watertown, and Somerville, but obviously cost and transportation are significant limiting factors.
Is being a postdoc stressful?
There is little doubt, though, that being a postdoc is stressful. Most postdocs work extremely hard, often for long hours and at low pay. Faced with the pressures of work, they may not take time for healthy diversions and exercise, which could help mitigate stress and reduce its health effects.
Is postdoc bad for your career?
But the bottom line is, an academic postdoc is bad for your career and no one is talking about why. (If you have already done a postdoc or are already doing a postdoc, you can still use your postdoc experience to become a top job candidate, so don’t stress out.) It’s not a secret that postdocs are undervalued.