A positive postdoctoral experience is related to quality supervision and career mentoring, collaborations, networking and a nurturing research environment

Abstract

For postdocs to have the best chances of achieving their career goals they need to not only acquire discipline-specific research experience, but also additional generic skills vital for future employment inside or outside academia. They also require access to information and mentoring that will help them strategically plan and make informed decisions about their future. Few studies have examined the variables that impact the postdoctoral experience or research productivity. Thus, a comprehensive survey was conducted to determine whether quality supervision, career mentoring, collaboration, networking and a nurturing research environment makes a positive difference in the experiences and productivity of postdoctoral researchers. Unsurprisingly, the survey revealed that job insecurity and lack of a career structure are ongoing concerns for postdocs. However, a clear association was shown between quality supervision, for example, in conveying the importance of taking responsibility for their future academic career by strengthening their track record, and the number of peer-reviewed publications produced. The findings also suggest that mentoring in non-academic career paths can be greatly improved. The results of this study have guided a research-intensive Australian University to implement initiatives and programs which enhance the postdoctoral experience. Finally this work raises awareness of the crucial contributions postdocs make to the research output and environment of universities.

Career satisfaction of postdoctoral researchers in relation to their expectations for the future

“…Studies focusing on academic careers are increasingly available, but only a few (see Table 1 for an overview) deal explicitly with the career prospects of postdocs (e.g., Bessudnov et al 2014;Davis 2009;De Goede et al 2013;Felisberti and Sear 2014;Fitzenberger and Schulze 2013;Mitchell et al 2013;NISTEP 2008NISTEP , 2009Scaffidi and Berman 2011;Stanford et al 2009). The Australian study by Scaffidi and Berman (2011) examined the variables that impact the postdoctoral experience or research productivity to determine whether quality of supervision, career mentoring, collaboration, networking, and a nurturing research environment made positive differences in the experiences and productivity of postdoctoral researchers. They confirmed that job insecurity and a lack of career structure continue to be ongoing concerns for postdocs, but they also revealed a clear link between the quality of supervision and a positive postdoc experience, particularly when supervisors take responsibility for their postdocs' future career prospects.…”

What makes academic careers less insecure? The role of individual-level antecedents

“…Moreover, it was not possible to identify the supervisors of the respondents. As a consequence, this study draws an incomplete picture of the antecedents of academic career insecurity, since the number of job vacancies, individual performance, and the supervisor's capabilities and reputation affect career opportunities (Scaffidi and Berman 2011;van der Weijden et al 2016). Thus, future research taking these factors into account is needed.…”

Moving up the ladder: heterogeneity influencing academic careers through research orientation, gender, and mentors

“…McEvily, Jaffee, and Tortoriello 2012), which then affect academics long-term career paths as well. Third, the access to the mentors' networks proves important for the career development of mentees, because mentees become visible in the mentors' network of colleagues and gain access to their social capital (Johnson 2007;Scaffidi and Berman 2011;Lutter and Schröder 2016).…”