Next month a group of students will launch their bid to set up a national association for postdocs in Britain (see page 546). A worthy plan — although it does raise the question of why this hasn't been done before. The most likely reason is that starting a postdoc organization means taking time away from work. It isn't easy trying to run an organization to improve your working conditions and prospects when the time it takes can have a detrimental effect on the very things you're trying to make better. Fortunately, creating such an organization need not be difficult, especially as both the European Union and the United States have established models in the shape of EURODOC and the US National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).

Why are these organizations so important? Because without them, myriad postdoc complaints — such as low stipends, a lack of benefits and a dearth of career advice — go, if not unheard, then largely ignored. Having a national presence gives a voice and a face to these concerns.

But the key to better treatment for UK postdocs lies not just with the fledgling national organization — it also rests in the hands of smaller organizations at each of the country's research institutions. As part of its success, the NPA has encouraged the foundation of local postdoc organizations and offices (see Nature 441, 249; 2006). The fledgling UK association would do well to follow this model. National organizations provide a unified voice and can spearhead drives to collect data on salaries, benefits and long-term career prospects. But it is the local organizations that can address specific problems at individual institutions and help individual postdocs feel less isolated.

Yes, establishing these local organizations takes time. But thanks to the NPA and EURODOC, fellows in Britain or any other country don't need to reinvent the wheel. Rising to the challenge will prove to be more than worthwhile — especially if it means that students have better postdoc experiences and find it easier to make the transition to permanent employment.