For many prestigious academic facilities postdoctoral research work is a pre-requisite for faculty tenure positions. Postdoctoral research work is most commonly undertaken by a person who has achieved a doctoral degree and within five years of graduation. Because oftentimes the degree will be undertaken soon after doctorate graduation the research is often related to the specialization or subject of a persons doctoral thesis.
Postdoctoral research work is important to academic facilities in terms of maintaining credibility, stature, the ability to regularly publish and often funding. Postdoctoral research is usually funded as an appointment with a salary, as an appointment with a stipend or alternatively, as a sponsorship award. People who undertake postdoctoral research work for an academic facility may be appointed as research fellows, associates or assistants and may either work independently or under the supervision of a principal investigator. When a postdoctoral graduate, or his or her research, is deemed to be particularly valuable an appointment is sometimes created especially for that person or research.
There is usually ongoing research work happening in fields of expertise specific to an institution. The trick for those wishing to acquire a research position is getting a foot in the door in what has become an extremely competitive arena.
Many postdoctoral graduates obtain membership with organizations like the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) in order to maintain contemporary information about ongoing research. The NPA is based in Washington, and in its mission statement the NPA specifically states that it aims to provide:
•Provide resources for all stakeholders in the postdoctoral community to foster increased accountability.
•Develop and advocate for implementation of policies that promote positive change in the postdoctoral experience.
•Promote collection, analysis and dissemination of data on postdoctoral scholars.
•Develop a self-sustaining, democratic organization to empower all stakeholders in the postdoctoral community.
In Europe an organization called the European federation of national organizations of young researchers, provides similar advocacy and support for both doctoral research students and postdoctoral graduates. These advocacy groups are undoubtedly important in assisting graduates with advocacy, information and support but for those wishing to undertake paid research, there remains a gap. While the NPA and Eurodoc programs include facilitation of advocacy, community building and resource development, they are not focused on job acquisition for their membership as a primary concern.
Finding postdoctoral research work has many unique problems for job seekers. Specialized research by its very nature limits the number of facilities interested in further study so these can be hard to find. ReseachNetwork.com seeks to connect research employers with graduates and also to connect specialized research facilities with the appropriate people. ResearchNetwork.com has identified a gap in postdoctoral research work prospect providers and has sought to fill it. So far they are experiencing very positive results. In addition to providing networking opportunities to its membership, ResearchNetwork.com also provides a job bank specifically for those involved in postdoctoral research work.
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