BOX 3.4
Guidance for Developing Successful Postdoctoral Programs
In order to enhance the postdoctoral experience, advisers, institutions, funding organizations, and disciplinary societies should
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Award institutional recognition, status, and compensation commensurate with the contributions of postdocs to the research enterprise.
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Develop distinct policies and standards for postdocs, modeled on those available for graduate students and faculty.
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Develop mechanisms for frequent and regular communication between postdocs and their advisers, institutions, funding organizations, and disciplinary societies.
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Monitor and provide formal evaluations (at least annually) of the performance of postdocs.
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Ensure that all postdocs have access to health insurance, regardless of funding source, and to institutional services.
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Set limits for total time of a postdoc appointment (of approximately five years, summing time at all institutions), with clearly described exceptions as appropriate.
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Invite the participation of postdocs when creating standards, definitions, and conditions for appointments.
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Provide substantive career guidance to improve postdocs’ ability to prepare for regular employment.
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Improve the quality of data both for postdoctoral working conditions and for the population of postdocs in relation to employment prospects in research.
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Take steps to improve the transition of postdocs to regular career positions.
SOURCE: National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine (2000).
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