Guidance on Choosing a Postdoctoral Position
As an essential phase in the academic journey, postdoctoral positions offer a unique opportunity for scholars to further hone their expertise, cultivate their research skills and make significant contributions to their chosen fields.
Choosing the Right Postdoc
The National Postdoctoral Association has developed A Prospective Postdoc's Guide to Choosing a Postdoc to assist graduate students in their decision to do a postdoc. This PDF includes resources to decide if a postdoc is right for you, choosing the right postdoc, creating your niche as a postdoc, how to apply for a postdoc, what to send in your postdoc application/letter, and acing your postdoc interview.
You must first define what kind of postdoc you need to reach your career goals and identify research areas/labs that excite you and will help you develop your career.
Additional resources to help you choose the right postdoc that are mentioned in the PDF include:
- PLOS Biology article on Ten Simple Rules for Selecting a Postdoctoral Position.
- National Postdoctoral Association's Going in with Your Eyes Open: What to ask before you accept a U.S. Postdoc Position.
- National Postdoctoral Association's Finding the "Perfect Postdoc" For You by Carol L. Manahan, PhD.
- The Addgene blog post, Choosing a Good Mentor for Scientists by Joanne Kamens.
- If your career objective is to go into industry, consider a postdoc in industry or in a region with biotech/pharm companies. Read the Industrial postdocs: The road less traveled article at ScienceCareers.
- Recovering from postdoc mistakes by ScienceCareers for tips on taking charge of your career with your postdoc.
The University at Buffalo offers many postdoctoral opportunities through UBJobs, the University's online jobs database and application portal.