Types of Postdocs “What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?” Laura K. Nisenbaum, Ph.D. Lilly Research Laboratories Women in Physiology Workshop – EB 2004

Goals for Postdoc “The postdoctoral years are a time to match one’s educational background, training, and interests with the changing world of employment and to acquire the skills necessary to enter that world” - Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineers, 2003

Goals for Postdoc Research experience Manuscript preparation Presentations at professional meetings Professional and ethical training Networking Goals not necessarily applicable to all types of postdocs Teaching experience Grant writing experience An understanding of the drug-development process Leadership/management experience Experience with a budget

Factors to Consider for All Types of Postdocs Advisor/Mentor MOST IMPORTANT! Interview the mentor as he/she interviews you. This HAS to be a good fit, or it’s going to be a long two+ years.

Factors to Consider for All Types of Postdocs Advisor/Mentor Environment Individual lab, department, institute Things to consider: Number of postdocs Commitment to postdocs Are the postdocs happy? Could you see these postdocs, or other scientists in the environment, as potential life-long professional colleagues? Where have the post-docs gone to after the post-doc?

Factors to Consider for All Types of Postdocs Advisor/Mentor Environment Resources Scientific (supplies, equipment, expertise) Individual lab, departmental, institute-wide Professional Training Departmental or institutional programs specific to or available to postdocs

Postdoctoral Options Academia Research Institute Industry Other internships fellowships in the government (e.g. scientific advisor to a Senator/ political committee; see www.aaas.org for examples) internship at a museum such as the Smithsonian

Postdoctoral Options - Academia University (Fine Arts) vs Medical School Teaching opportunities (responsibilities) more common in a Fine Arts environment; important for obtaining a job at a four year college Funding Sources – Implications for research, salary and benefits Research associates (paid from PI’s grant) Less project flexibility Standard benefits from lab or institution (e.g. medical, vacation, etc.) Fellowship or individual grant More project flexibility Fewer employee benefits Opportunities unique(?) to academia Teaching Mentoring Grant writing

Postdoctoral Options – Research Institute Type of Institution Government (e.g. NIH) Private (e.g. Cold Spring Harbor, Whitehead Institute) Salary, benefits, terms Salary tends to be somewhat higher Standard employee benefits 2-3 year terms Potential benefits Large research facilities with extensive collaborative network Opportunities not(?) available Teaching Grant writing

Postdoctoral Options – Industry Types of Institution Big Pharma Biotech Salary, benefits, terms Salaries/benefits tend to be better (although recent changes have decreased this disparity) Terms usually 2-3 years Opportunities unique(?) to industry Exposure to industrial culture, experience, and the drug-development process Opportunities for teamwork and collaboration Exposure to a broad range of scientific colleagues (regularly meet with medicinal chemists, toxicologists, etc) Future position in the company (varies considerably)

Postdoctoral Options – Industry (con’t) Potential drawbacks Mergers/layoffs (of you or your mentor) Health of company will fluctuate, and your opportunities (i.e. number of meetings you can attend, equipment you can buy) will fluctuate as well Restrictions on publication (should be explicitly discussed) Opportunities not(?) available Teaching, but experience in leadership/training others can be gained Grant writing, but you can get experience in writing other types of documents such as IND documents

Postdoctoral Options – Which is Right For You? Scientific goals (basic vs applied) Personality individual vs team-oriented internal vs external motivation Additional constraints Work/life balance Family obligations Dual Career Geography

Can I Change Directions? Yes, but… If you want to change directions, RESEARCH and ASK QUESTIONS Approach the problem of “what do I want to be when I grow up?” in the same way you approach scientific questions. Put your analytical skills/training to work! Potential use of 2nd postdoc Publish! Publish! Publish! Network!

“The Golden Years” "When I went from grad student to postdoc, I got a 20 percent increase--from 80 hours a week to 96." The Scientist 12[23]:2, Nov. 23, 1998