A Guide for Graduate Students Interested in Postdoctoral Positions in Biology Education Research

Abstract

Intended as a resource for life sciences graduate students, this essay discusses the diversity of postdoctoral positions in biology education and the careers to which they lead. The authors also provide advice to help graduate students develop the skills necessary to obtain a biology education research postdoctoral position.

Experiences of postdocs and principal investigators in physics education research postdoc hiring

“…The only literature that we could find that addresses postdoc hiring is a guide from biology education research (BER). The authors are PIs themselves and interviewed an unspecified number of PIs to inform their guide [13]. According to the authors, hiring BER postdocs is similar to hiring traditional biology postdocs in that the candidate should have research and communication skills along with general skills, such as being organized and being able to work both in a group and independently [13].…”

“…The authors are PIs themselves and interviewed an unspecified number of PIs to inform their guide [13]. According to the authors, hiring BER postdocs is similar to hiring traditional biology postdocs in that the candidate should have research and communication skills along with general skills, such as being organized and being able to work both in a group and independently [13]. The authors value seeing at least one publication, regardless of the publication's content: "We placed equal value on publications in biology research and BER" [13].…”

“…According to the authors, hiring BER postdocs is similar to hiring traditional biology postdocs in that the candidate should have research and communication skills along with general skills, such as being organized and being able to work both in a group and independently [13]. The authors value seeing at least one publication, regardless of the publication's content: "We placed equal value on publications in biology research and BER" [13]. They advise that candidates have strong letters of recommendation and that a "strong commitment to education is a distinct and highly important consideration in the hiring of BER postdoc" [13].…”

“…The authors value seeing at least one publication, regardless of the publication's content: "We placed equal value on publications in biology research and BER" [13]. They advise that candidates have strong letters of recommendation and that a "strong commitment to education is a distinct and highly important consideration in the hiring of BER postdoc" [13]. Demonstrating a commitment includes engaging in BER via research projects or being well read in the literature, although the authors also believe that having research experience in BER will become more important as the number of BER Ph.D. recipients increases [13].…”

“…They advise that candidates have strong letters of recommendation and that a "strong commitment to education is a distinct and highly important consideration in the hiring of BER postdoc" [13]. Demonstrating a commitment includes engaging in BER via research projects or being well read in the literature, although the authors also believe that having research experience in BER will become more important as the number of BER Ph.D. recipients increases [13]. In terms of finding a position, suggestions include using one's professional network, introducing oneself to researchers in the BER community, and subscribing to relevant list-servs.…”