Life After Graduate School: 
Tips on Finding a Postdoctoral Appointment

A postdoctoral appointment provides an opportunity for you to develop additional skills and experience while still under the supervision of an experienced researcher. These skills will not only increase your attractiveness to future employers but will also increase your chances of success in your first independent position.

Postdoctoral work is not equally common to all science and engineering fields. According to the National Science Foundation, 1988 doctoral recipients were most likely to take a postdoctoral appointment following graduation in life sciences and physical sciences and least likely to do a postdoc after earning degrees in computer science, social science, and engineering.

Preparing for a Postdoctoral Appointment

In order to prepare for a postdoctoral appointment ("postdoc"), there are a number of things to do during your graduate school years. As early as possible, you should encourage your mentor/advisor to give you some research freedom. After working in the research group for a while, you should have the opportunity to propose experiments. Your graduate school work should not consist entirely of acting as a laboratory or research technician to carry out someone else's work. Capitalize on opportunities to present your work through departmental seminars and annual meetings of professional associations, and use these opportunities to meet colleagues in your area. Attending seminars at your institution will help you to learn about the research of colleagues from your own and from other institutions.

Supervise the research of undergraduate students and technicians and become proficient in the use of both laboratory equipment and personal computers. Also gain at least a working knowledge of statistics because you will need it for work in most fields. Make sure to participate in drafting research papers, abstracts for posters/sessions, and grant proposals. You should have one or more publications published or submitted when you finish graduate school. In addition, discuss the "how-to's" of the grant funding process with your mentor/advisor. If at all possible, help your advisor in preparing grant proposals. At a minimum, ask to read previously funded proposals so you have an idea of what a "good" proposal looks like.

Develop your communications skills, because you will need to present yourself well during both formal seminars and informal conversations when you apply for a position. Be able to demonstrate your writing abilities via papers and presentations. Join professional associations in your field; remember -- student memberships in the APS are free for the first year and only $15/year for up to four more years. Apply for honor societies in your field such as Sigma Xi. Develop your knowledge of active and successful researchers in your field by reading current research publications. Finally, cultivate friendships with a number of faculty members in your department.

Letters of Recommendation

Do not underestimate the importance of your letters of recommendation. They typically are very influential in a potential employer's decision and you should be absolutely sure that those you ask to write them will describe you in very positive terms. Dr. William Lester of the University of California at Berkeley emphasized this point when he said, "How do you get hired in an institution -- academic, industrial, research, or government?...first of all, your presence -- what you bring to the table, and secondly, and very importantly, what people say about you. This aspect of knowing that you are appreciated by those who are writing letters for you is an essential dimension. Bear in mind, of course, that you don't see those letters. So you do have to ascertain what others think of you" (AAAS, 1989). The status of the letter writer is also important: a wonderful letter from your lab technician won't carry much weight.

Where to Apply

Postdocs are typically advertised in professional magazines and journals, at annual meetings of professional associations, and via personal communication with mentors/advisors. Check each of these sources for possible positions. First, however, go to your advisor. Discuss the role he/she wants to play in helping you find a postdoctoral position and ask how this has worked for graduate students in the group in the past. Don't assume your advisor will find a postdoc for you, but don't assume he/she does not want to be involved in helping you find one! You should have this discussion long before you are ready to defend your dissertation -- depending upon current funding levels and position openings, it can sometimes take six months or more to secure a position.

When beginning your search, write letters to those in your particular field with whom you would most like to work. In some fields this may mean 6-10 persons; in other fields, there may be 30 or more outstanding research groups you should contact. You should send individual letters (not form letters) detailing your specific qualifications and what you would hope to accomplish as a member of his/her research group. There is no guarantee that they will have a position for you, but it is worth the effort. Be sure that you do not carry this strategy too far. Dr. Howard Adams of the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities warns against sending general letters to every possible research group. "No faculty member responds to some general solicitation of that sort" (AAAS, 1989). Utilize resources available through professional societies as well. For example, contact the Career Resources Office of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.

What Are They Looking For?

What will potential employers want? Do some work ahead of time -- learn what type of research the group has been doing and/or know the current situation of the university or company. Also, be ready to sell yourself. Most research groups are not only looking for someone who can do the research, but also for someone who can: work collaboratively with persons both in and outside of the group; communicate well during seminars and informal discussions; write clearly and succinctly in papers, grant proposals, and abstracts; and convey the work of the research group at professional meetings.

Be prepared to discuss your research plans for the next few years and your ultimate career goals (for example, academic institutions or industry). Above all, be yourself and enjoy the interview process...after all, you have a lot to offer!