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As you are beginning to think about life after graduate school, most people will go on to one or two postdoctoral positions. These can last from 2-4 years, depending on funding and the position itself.

There are many ways to find a postdoctoral position. First, you need to decide what you want to get out of a postdoc. Do you want to learn a new technique? Do you want to continue the type of research you were doing for your graduate degree or start a new line of investigation? Once you’ve decided that, you can begin contacting various labs to see whether there is a position available and searching various web sites or professional journals for positions being advertised. Again, your graduate advisor and your mentor are good people to talk with and get advice from.

Here are some other articles with tips for finding the right postdoctoral position.*

The Postdoc Experience: Not Always What You Expect
Laura Bonetta, ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
Aug. 2008

Selecting Your First Post-Doctoral Position
Catherine M. Fuller, APS Mentoring Forum
Feb. 2008

Best Places to Work: Postdocs
The Scientist (free access to article with registration)
March 2008

How to Apply for a Postdoctoral
Suzanne Pfeffer, American Society for Cell Biology

Life After the Ph.D: Finding a Postdoctoral Fellowship
APS/ASPET Women in Physiology and Pharmacology Committees 2004 mentoring workshop

Planning A Successful Postdoctoral Experience: A Proactive Approach
APS Career Opportunities in Physiology Committee 2004 symposium

Before You get your PhD, Start the Postdoc Search
Arthur E. Sowers, Ph.D.
Contemporary Problems in Science Jobs (2nd ed.)

Careers in Science and Engineering: A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and Beyond
National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine

Life After Graduate School: Tips on Finding a Postdoctoral Appointment
Marsha Lakes Matyas, Ph.D., The American Physiological Society

ScienceCareers.org
AAAS

*APS does not endorse or assume responsibility for the information posted on these web sites.

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