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U.S. postdoctoral careers in life sciences, physical sciences and engineering: Government, industry, and academia

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  • Maya Denton
  • Maura Borrego
  • David B Knight

Abstract

Discussions about science and engineering postdoctoral researchers focus almost exclusively on academic postdocs and their chances of eventually securing tenure-track faculty positions. Further, biological sciences dominate policy research and published advice for new PhDs regarding postdoctoral employment. Our analysis uses the Survey of Earned Doctorates and Survey of Doctorate Recipients to understand employment implications for physical sciences and engineering (PSE) and life sciences (LS) graduates who took postdoctoral positions in government, industry, and academic sectors. We examine postdoc duration, reasons for staying in a postdoc, movement between sectors, and salary implications. There is considerable movement between employment sectors within the first six years post-PhD. Additionally, postdocs in PSE are shorter, better paid, and more often in nonacademic sectors than postdocs in LS. These results can help science and engineering faculty discuss a broader range of career pathways with doctoral students and help new PhDs make better informed early career decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Maya Denton & Maura Borrego & David B Knight, 2022. "U.S. postdoctoral careers in life sciences, physical sciences and engineering: Government, industry, and academia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0263185
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263185
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    1. Hayter, Christopher S. & Parker, Marla A., 2019. "Factors that influence the transition of university postdocs to non-academic scientific careers: An exploratory study," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 556-570.
    2. Dietz, James S. & Bozeman, Barry, 2005. "Academic careers, patents, and productivity: industry experience as scientific and technical human capital," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 349-367, April.
    3. Jennifer M. Miller & Maryann P. Feldman, 2015. "Isolated in the Lab: Examining Dissatisfaction with Postdoctoral Appointments," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 86(5), pages 697-724, September.
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