Preparing for a Postdoc role

Are you considering applying for a postdoc role after your PhD?

Do you wonder if a postdoc role could be the right option for you and how you should apply? This article explores some key questions to ask yourself and helps you decide if this may be the right career option for you.

What is a postdoc?

Working as a postdoc would prepare you for an academic path and help you gain valuable research experience in the field of academia. Vacancies may be advertised as Postdoctoral Research Assistants, Postdoctoral Research Associates or Postdoctoral Fellows.

Many people mistakenly believe that a postdoc is an advanced doctoral degree. However, this is not correct. A postdoc can be undertaken after successfully completing your doctorate studies. Many postdoc positions are offered on a temporary basis, and most postdocs stay in their position for 2-4 years.

What are some of the responsibilities?

As a postdoc, you would work under the guidance of a more senior research staff member. You could assist in writing funding applications/ grants. You could be involved in preparing data for analysis, interpreting data, managing large data sets and disseminating research findings. You could take on projects on your own. You may also be asked to work with partners within academia and industry. You may undertake some teaching, and administrative tasks or supervise academic students. You might be involved in communicating research findings to non-academic audiences.

Is this the right option for you?

You would need to be genuinely interested in your chosen field and enjoy examining data. Writing skills are important as you could be writing for publications. To thrive in this role, you would be a strongly organised and detail-oriented person. At times, you will be working under pressure to meet set deadlines and to achieve milestone targets. You should have strong analytical and critical thinking skills as you will be involved in collecting, analysing and interpreting data, and examining it from different angles. As a postdoc, you would be confident at giving presentations and talking about your research to both small and large audiences. When taking part in conferences, you would network with other academics. If you aspire to pursue a career in academia however you have slightly limited experience in teaching and publishing, a postdoc may be an excellent role for you.

How to make the right decision

If you are currently completing your doctorate studies, you could discuss the option of a postdoc with your supervisor. Ask your supervisor about their recommendations and whether they think this career path would align with your skills. Your supervisor should understand your key academic strengths and give you some helpful guidance based on their experience and observations. Your supervisor may be able to make professional connections and introduce you to others who could help further your career.  It is essential that you do not hurry and make quick decisions. Do avoid following your peers without considering your skills, strengths, and future aspirations. Choosing your next career step is a significant decision which might require lots of reflection, research, and discussions. The more you take the time to explore different avenues, the better decision you are likely to make.

You could ask yourself the following reflective questions:

• To what extent do I envisage myself to work in academia in the long term?
• Where do I see myself in two/ five/ ten years’ time?
• What are some of my strengths which could be helpful?
• What could hold me back from progressing in academia?
• Are there any gaps in terms of my skills or experience which could hinder my progress?
• If so, what actions could I take to fill those gaps?
• Who could provide me with some support (personal, professional, academic)?
• Do I have a backup plan in case I need to change my career direction?

How to apply for a postdoc?

Applying for a postdoc is in many ways similar to applying for any other job in general. You would need to devote time at least once a week to carry out online job searches. When you have identified a suitable vacancy, you should make your CV, cover letter and other application materials bespoke to the role. Keeping accurate records of your job search will help you with monitoring your progress. You will be able to easily identify which online platforms work best for you. Instead of focusing desperately on the end result of getting a job, you will do well to put your attention on the process. Process thinking means that you plan your search as if you were a project manager. It means that you have an organised approach. And it includes celebrating small wins such as crafting well-written applications. You can use a spreadsheet or a notepad to keep records of the below:

• Where you find specific vacancies e.g. jobs.ac.uk
• When you apply
• What is the application deadline date
• Planned interview date (if known)
• Name of the university, role and salary expectations
• Web link to the job advert
• Key search words you use

Consider networking

If you are a doctoral student, it is never too early to start networking. You should think about it as an investment of your time and energy.  You can network at conferences, workshops, seminars, courses, industry events and of course via social media. LinkedIn, one of the largest social networking sites, is designed for individuals to make meaningful connections. If you have never really dipped your toe into the area of professional networking, LinkedIn could be a great place to start. Depending on your career aspirations, you could find research and educational conferences helpful. At these events, you could meet other scholars, learn about their research fields, and create collaborations with academics from all over the world.

Where to apply

jobs.ac.uk have hundreds of post-doc vacancies and new ones are added daily. You can also want to set up an e-mail alert and have the latest vacancies sent to you.

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