Postdoctoral researchers are those who have a PhD and have embarked on an academic path that will eventually lead to a full time permanent position as a principal investigator. Most postdocs are in their 20’s or 30’s and some even 40’s and have recently completed their PhD in subject of interest. After completion, several of these new PhD’s take up postdoctoral positions within their own department as they have are familiar with the surroundings. Some even take a Postdoctoral job outside their country even though the Postdoctoral salary in some countries is bad including Europe and the United States.
Some of the duties involving a postdoctoral researcher include;
1. Carry out research and publish papers
2. Supervise PhD students and design experiments for them and read their reports
3. Help the mentor/principal investigator in preparing for grants
4. Be a manager to the mentor/principal investigator
Interestingly about 50% of postdocs in the United States are of foreign origin. Most of these postdocs dream of becoming a principal investigator and leading a team of their own. As a postdoc myself, I have realised that some no longer want to stay in science at all. Some of my ex-colleagues have either taken up scientific non-lab work such as medical writing and sales repping while some have completely left research for good.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Dear sir/Ma’am,
I am currently pursuing PhD in parasitology (effect of anthelmintic plants) and I want to do a post doc in this field (not with plants) with work at the molecular level at some good institute. My problem is that I have no knowledge of it and am only involved in very primitive and classical work here in North-east India.
Is there any institute where I can learn molecular level stuff and work for my post-doc at the same time? Or do I have to do another PhD altogether in molecular biology and biotechnology? But then again, I have not studied these subjects in M.sc!!
December 28th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I am a doctorate in Analytical chemistry. Presently i am working as a post doctoral research associate in south korea. I need a post doc position as soon as possible in my related field.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Dear sir
If there is any chance i will send my CV also for your consideration