The PhD graduate from a US research academic institution who has worked 5-7 years to solve a combination of laboratory and computational problems after an in-depth classroom experience is likely superbly trained in at least a subset of the life sciences and the underlying methodology and thought processes required to perform high level research.…

Describes how some young scientists avoided getting stuck on the postdoc treadmill, what is expected of many postdocs, and what post-postdocs are doing with their lives. (ZWH)

The data presented in this summary (released in advance of their publication) are derived from four surveys of academic science and engineering (S/E) activities conducted anually by the National Science Foundation's Division of Science Resources Studies, Universities, and Nonprofit Institutions Studies Groups: (1) Survey of Scientific and…