Career resources for postdoctoral researchers

Temporary contracts, low salaries and cost-of-living hikes force many researchers to put off parenthood and other big decisions.

Around one in three respondents to Nature’s global postdoc survey are using AI chatbots to help to refine text, generate or edit code, wrangle the literature in their field and more.

Postdoctoral researchers still feel as though they are academia’s drudge labourers, but have more confidence about job prospects in a post-pandemic world.

Cost-of-living pressures, a dismal job market and stagnant US federal budgets are leaving lab leaders scrambling to balance the books.

Biased hiring practices are limiting efforts to attract and retain researchers of colour.

Allison McClure describes how she secured her first postdoctoral position and shares her thoughts on how laboratories can attract candidates.

It’s worth waiting for the right postdoctoral researcher to come along, says Caroline Hill. But how do you choose the best candidate?

It’s not easy to demonstrate research impact, says Katherine Andrews — even when there’s a clear clinical need, as in malaria drug development.

Struggling with your principal investigator’s bias towards academia? Here are some workarounds.

Stefano Sandrone’s Nobel Life features interviews with 24 prizewinners on everything from handling rejection to seizing the moment.

Nearly 1,000 respondents to a US survey urge careful thought about future professional pathways.

I wasn’t getting enough experience at reviewing articles, so I took an unusual step — and learnt much more than I expected, says Theo van den Broek.

Most funders have no plans to provide postdoctoral researchers with additional pandemic funding. Society will pay a high price if this neglect continues.

Nature’s first-ever survey of this key segment of the scientific workforce uncovers anxiety and doubt about their professional pathway.

Long hours and a lack of job security, combined with workplace bullying and discrimination, are forcing many to consider leaving science, finds Nature’s inaugural survey of postdoctoral researchers.

The second article in a series on Nature’s inaugural survey of postdocs in academia worldwide uncovers a sense of instability among the research precariat.

The pandemic has worsened the plight of postdoctoral researchers. Funders need to be offering more than moral support.

Nature’s survey of this key segment of the scientific workforce paints a gloomy picture of job-loss fears, interrupted research and anxiety about the future.

Five international students and postdocs reflect on a turbulent year triggered by the Trump administration’s visa restrictions.

Academic administrators are mostly optimistic about the effects of COVID-19 on institutional finances, but others predict tough times.

Survey finds that standard metrics of success can’t completely explain why some candidates get offers and others don’t.

Crafting a useful letter takes time and effort, particularly with the many demands on an academic’s time.

The pandemic is prompting some early-career researchers to rethink their hopes for a university post.

With student enrolment projected to fall, some US and UK institutions have halted recruitment.

Staying at home is not an option for scientists working on potential vaccines or caring for research animals.

System built on short-term contracts and grants causes many to consider leaving.

Marc D. Mallet and Nikita Williams explain how they balanced their personal and professional lives during moves overseas and in and out of academia.

Three searchable databases provide information on global opportunities for graduate students, postdocs and junior faculty members.

Stress and long working hours are regrettably common among early-career researchers, reveals a survey by the Young Academy of Europe.

Be prepared for delays to start dates, unexpected fees — and even visa refusals — when moving abroad for career opportunities.

Bela Z. Schmidt’s quest to understand an all-too-familiar career setback can be distilled into eight pieces of advice.

Scientists with first-hand experience of rejection offer their advice.

Postdoctoral researchers still feel as though they are academia’s drudge labourers, but have more confidence about job prospects in a post-pandemic world.

What is a postdoc and why undertake one? Julie Gould gets some metaphorical answers to a complicated question.

Julie Gould investigates how brain drains and demographic time bombs are forcing some countries to rethink the postdoc.

Closed labs and rescinded job offers have snatched away opportunities. How can science bounce back? Julie Gould finds out.

Experience as a postdoctoral researcher might not fast-track your career outside academia, Julie Gould discovers.

Postdocs and other early-career researchers need better trained lab leaders, not just nicer ones, Julie Gould discovers.

Julie Gould explores professional identity and motivation by asking five researchers how they keep a childhood love of science alive, despite the setbacks.