Postdoc best practices
Paul Smaglik
Thursday, 18 September 2008 20:25 UTC
While researching a piece on the power of postdoc organizations to change policy , I came across this NIH Powerpoint presentation
On the 12th page, in the 4th bullet point, the presentation asks for “best practices for predoc and postdoc training.” As far as I know (and according to the extramural NIH officials I interviewed for the policy piece) this has not yet formally happened. So, I am wondering what readers think should be “best practices”? Please share! Meanwhile, I will search PDA recommendations nationwide, and throw in my own 2 cents (tuppence, in England) about what SHOULD constitute best practices.
Also, please let us know if universities with ‘best practices’ practice what they preach.
Updated 18 September 2008 20:30 UTC
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Replies
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Hi Paul,
The University of Pennsylvania has one of the longest running postdoc offices. They have an extensive training program. I believe they have created a best practices document. If you like, I can contact them or connect you with them. Just let me know…lisa[AT]lisabmarshall[DOT]com. – lisa
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Before we compile a meta-list of best practices, let’s look at the timeline toward this trend. In 2000, the National Academy of Sciences raised the concept in a report about enhancing the postdoctoral experience. The next year, the Chronicle of Higher Educ ation reported on how and why making such ‘enhancements’ can be so difficult.
After that, the US National Postdoctoral Association formed and solicited members for their own takes, then compiled that information.
Sigma Xi commissioned a report to see whether implementing such changes have an empirical effect (the short answer? Yes) on improving fellows’ lives.
Those developments seem to have spurred some scientific societies to push for more change. The American Physical Society sought recommendations from its own members.
Some state university systems then sought their own data. For example, the University of Texas launched a task force that issued this report. There’s some evidence that the recommendations ‘took’, at least at the University of Texas, Southwestern, which issued this survival guide
Now, more and more institutions are issuing clearer statements about the rights and responsibilities of postodcs, like this from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and in this informational sheet by the University of Virginia.
The movement is spreading to other countries, like Canada and the UK.
Still, questions remain whether there is any consensus on postdoc best practices—and whether these practices will be taken up by most major universities and research institutions. Please share your take.
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