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Secrets of postdocs: How do they struggle to survive in academia?
With the popularity of postgraduate education, the position of postdoctoral researchers (often called postdocs) in academia has gradually become important. However, these scientists face increasing challenges as they pursue their academic careers. In the United States, less than 20% of postdoctoral researchers in the biological sciences receive tenure, down from more than 50%. The data illustrates the changing landscape of today's academic world and the crowded competitive workplace.
Postdoctoral research is not only a continuation of academic tasks, but also an important opportunity to grow professional skills, but finding a suitable position has become increasingly difficult.
Postdoctoral research is usually supervised by a principal investigator (Principal Investigator), who publishes academic papers during this period to cope with the rigorous requirements for publication and research results in academia. However, according to a 2018 study from Virginia Tech and MIT, only about 17% of postdocs eventually receive tenure, which is in sharp contrast to the situation in the 1970s.
In many English-speaking countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, postdoctoral researchers are considered an important part of the academic community. However, one glaring question is, does this role actually provide a stable career path? Long-term fixed contracts prevent many postdoctoral fellows from obtaining ideal academic positions after several years of academic training.
According to surveys, postdocs’ careers in academia appear to be less promising than expected based on their academic achievements.
This phenomenon is not limited to the United States. In the UK, 25% of PhD holders have chosen to pursue postdoctoral research since 2003, and this proportion does not appear to have increased significantly over time. Even in some cases, postdoc remuneration and job stability remain sluggish. This has left many researchers wondering whether it is worth continuing on this path in the future.
In the university workplace environment, postdocs face a variety of challenges, including salary pressure and a lack of recognition of their needs. According to the National Science Foundation, the median salary for a postdoc one to five years after earning a Ph.D. is $42,000, a significant gap from the expected academic position. With the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, postdoctoral positions in some disciplines have not even been filled due to a lack of applicants.
The working environment of postdocs has, in part, created a need for unionization to enhance their working conditions and benefits.
For example, postdoctoral researchers in California formed the union UAW Local 5810 to safeguard their rights and fight for better working conditions while facing career challenges. They want improved pay, equal opportunities and basic job security. Such organizational actions reflect the positive attitude of postdocs in seeking to solve institutional problems.
In addition, in countries such as India and China, postdoctoral research is also gradually developing. Top institutions of higher learning in India such as Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) also have postdoctoral positions with salary ranging from INR 40,000 to INR 70,000 per month. At the same time, China’s postdoctoral system emphasizes the evaluation and assessment of researchers, which also raises doubts about their ability to innovate.
Although postdoctoral research environments vary from country to country, common challenges can be expected. As academia gradually develops in a more competitive direction, whether postdoctoral researchers can find their own position in the face of uncertainties will become a key issue in shaping the future of academia.
Whether postdoctoral researchers can truly achieve the success they crave in the academic world may depend on whether they can break away from traditional ideas and explore the possibility of other career paths?
