Academic ecosystems must evolve to support a sustainable postdoc workforce

Murielle Alund; Nathan Emery; Benjamin J. M. Jarrett; Kirsty J. MacLeod; Helen F. McCreery; Nadya Mamoozadeh; John G. Phillips; Jory Schossau; Andrew W. Thompson; Alexa R. Warwick; Kelsey M. Yule; Erin R. Zylstra; Eben Gering

doi:10.1038/s41559-020-1178-6

Academic ecosystems must evolve to support a sustainable postdoc workforce

Murielle Alund, Nathan Emery, Benjamin J. M. Jarrett, Kirsty J. MacLeod, Helen F. McCreery, Nadya Mamoozadeh, John G. Phillips, Jory Schossau, Andrew W. Thompson, Alexa R. Warwick, Kelsey M. Yule, Erin R. Zylstra, Eben Gering

School of Environmental & Natural Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The postdoctoral workforce comprises a growing proportion of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community, and plays a vital role in advancing science. Postdoc professional development, however, remains rooted in outdated realities. We propose enhancements to postdoc-centred policies and practices to better align this career stage with contemporary job markets and work life. By facilitating productivity, wellness and career advancement, the proposed changes will benefit all stakeholders in postdoc success—including research teams, institutions, professional societies and the scientific community as a whole. To catalyse reform, we outline recommendations for (1) skills-based training tailored to the current career landscape, and (2) supportive policies and tools outlined in postdoc handbooks. We also invite the ecology and evolution community to lead further progressive reform.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	777-781
Journal	Nature Ecology and Evolution
Volume	4
Issue number	6
Early online date	13 Apr 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-1178-6
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2020

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title = "Academic ecosystems must evolve to support a sustainable postdoc workforce",

abstract = "The postdoctoral workforce comprises a growing proportion of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community, and plays a vital role in advancing science. Postdoc professional development, however, remains rooted in outdated realities. We propose enhancements to postdoc-centred policies and practices to better align this career stage with contemporary job markets and work life. By facilitating productivity, wellness and career advancement, the proposed changes will benefit all stakeholders in postdoc success—including research teams, institutions, professional societies and the scientific community as a whole. To catalyse reform, we outline recommendations for (1) skills-based training tailored to the current career landscape, and (2) supportive policies and tools outlined in postdoc handbooks. We also invite the ecology and evolution community to lead further progressive reform.",

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AU - Alund, Murielle

AU - Emery, Nathan

AU - Jarrett, Benjamin J. M.

AU - MacLeod, Kirsty J.

AU - McCreery, Helen F.

AU - Mamoozadeh, Nadya

AU - Phillips, John G.

AU - Schossau, Jory

AU - Thompson, Andrew W.

AU - Warwick, Alexa R.

AU - Yule, Kelsey M.

AU - Zylstra, Erin R.

AU - Gering, Eben

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AB - The postdoctoral workforce comprises a growing proportion of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community, and plays a vital role in advancing science. Postdoc professional development, however, remains rooted in outdated realities. We propose enhancements to postdoc-centred policies and practices to better align this career stage with contemporary job markets and work life. By facilitating productivity, wellness and career advancement, the proposed changes will benefit all stakeholders in postdoc success—including research teams, institutions, professional societies and the scientific community as a whole. To catalyse reform, we outline recommendations for (1) skills-based training tailored to the current career landscape, and (2) supportive policies and tools outlined in postdoc handbooks. We also invite the ecology and evolution community to lead further progressive reform.

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Academic ecosystems must evolve to support a sustainable postdoc workforce

Abstract

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