This article reports on a study that investigated whether postdoctoral training contributes to scientists' and engineers' attainment of tenure and full professorship in research-extensive universities. It was found that training does not assist scientists in climbing the career ladder faster nor does it help them to secure more…

Academic libraries seek to play a central role in supporting the research enterprise on their campuses. Postdoctoral scholars ("postdocs") make substantial contributions to academic research and are an important group toward which services can be marketed. They are also difficult to find on many campuses, with some studies referring to…

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.…

Among the National Science Foundation's (NSF) postdoctoral programs, the International Research Fellowship Program (IRFP) is unique in its emphasis on providing postdoctoral fellows with international research experiences. Established in 1992, IRFP provides financial support to postdoctoral scientists for a research experience abroad lasting…

This dissertation considers three research questions. Why do scientists become postdoctoral scholars (postdocs)? What role do postdocs play relative to other categories of labor in research production? What factors are associated with a postdoc being dissatisfied? The literature review in Chapter 2 summarizes findings about which scientists are…

During its brief twenty-five-year history, and under the close management of the central government, the postdoctoral training system in China has grown rapidly into a permanent element of the Chinese science and technology research system. Although designed to be attractive to elite Chinese Ph.D. talent both living abroad and in China, it turned…

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)

Discusses the increasing interest in the unhappiness in academic research and questions management and mentoring problems, especially in laboratory environments. Suggests that the individual level of the problem depends on the environment. Lists tips for a productive team of managers. Differentiates between management and mentor goals and focus…

The rationale behind postdoctoral work for PhD chemists is discussed. Speculations concerning the decline in postdoctoral appointments since 1976 are advanced. (CP)

Studied the careers of 557 biochemists to investigate: (1) the effects of predoctoral research productivity on postdoctoral training opportunities; (2) how the location of postdoctoral training affects the prestige of subsequent jobs; and (3) the effects of postdoctoral training on publication rates. (GC)

The results seriously question whether achievement norms govern status attainment for female scientists and whether science is, in fact, unique in its normative structure. (Author/AM)

Provides a description of a method of updating biology curricula by using postdoctoral scientists to convey knowledge of biotechniques to broaden students' understanding of modern biological research. Describes the data collection methods used during the two-year project to assess its effectiveness. (DDR)

Two National Research Council studies investigate the growing number of postdoctoral trainees, particularly in the biomedical fields, and the implications of this postdoctoral pool growth for federal support of pre- and postdoctoral research training. (BB)

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…

Data presented in the tables of this document are derived from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering taken in the fall of 1996. All eligible institutions are included in the survey for the years 1988-96. From 1984-87, the survey design…