Postdocs

Postdocs, or postdoctoral researchers, are individuals who have earned a doctoral degree and pursue further training and research to deepen expertise, publish findings, and develop professional independence. The position is typically temporary and project-based, funded by grants, fellowships, or institutional support, and aims to broaden skills and prepare for an autonomous career in research.

Duties vary by field but commonly include planning and conducting experiments or analyses, collecting and interpreting data, writing manuscripts, presenting results, and applying for competitive funding. Postdocs may also mentor graduate or undergraduate students and, in some disciplines, teach or supervise laboratories.

Durations usually range from one to three years, though extensions to five years occur in some programs. In the United States, two to three years is common; in Europe, fixed-term fellowships often last similar spans. Humanities postdocs may focus on completing a monograph or research project.

Funding sources include national grants, institutional funds, and external fellowships. Compensation and benefits vary by country and field, but postdocs are typically paid researchers rather than students.

Outcomes vary: many postdocs aim for tenure-track faculty roles, while others move into industry, government, or non-profit research. The postdoc period is often transformative but can involve uncertain job prospects and intense publishing and grant-writing. Institutions increasingly offer mentorship, career development, and structured pathways to independent positions.