Building a postdoc system in South Africa National Research Foundation Bridging the Gap! Building a postdoc system in South Africa Dr Thandi Mgwebi National Research Foundation

Outline Definition of a postdoc Transition into and out of the postdoc period Global trends and issues Development of the postdoc system in South Africa Challenges and opportunities

What is a postdoc? "a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue his or her chosen career path." NPA, USA

The PhD as a “prelude” Providing technical skills Learning to ask and answer important questions Credentialling

A period of transition Moving into research leadership Building a record Work exposure opportunities Establishing relationships Communication skills development Building networks Learning to lead

Developing communication skills In area of specialty Beyond one’s area of specialty In adjacent and related areas All forms of communications

Having a mentor/role model Assuming responsibility for own personal development Learning to ask for assistance Discovering own strengths and weaknesses

Emerging trends Increase in inter- / multi-disciplinary work Increased interest in real world problems Cross-sectoral partnerships (university, college, industry, government, research institutes, entrepreneurship) Beyond the borders Teamwork

Challenges to the global system: the need for interdisciplinarity Financial Stability Political Food Security Food Crisis Economical Stability Financial Crisis Global System Energy crisis Natural resources Climate change

Global trends and issues Science, AAAS Publishing, 2012

Global trends and issues Science, AAAS Publishing, 2010

Postdoc challenges Funding Career pathing Professional development Status Alternatives

On the development of a postdoc culture in South Africa

The SA postgraduate system: challenges High attrition rates Funding Lack of supervisory capacity Training capacity for doctoral graduates Pile-up effects at postgraduate level Insufficient capacity to lead research Unattractive incentives for local and international postdocs Employment and career opportunities for PhD graduates Shortage of expertise in areas of national importance

Postdocs at South African institutions

Postdoc support: NRF data

Challenges Career pathing Programmes for support women with children Professional development Definition of a postdoc Funding Contracts with institutions Visas and work permits

Approach to developing the system Case of China Preliminary establishment stage (1985 – 1987) The rapid development stage (1988 – 1997) The steady development stage (1998 – 2005) The quality improvement stage (2006 - )

Approach to developing the system

Opportunities Government support Dedicated ministries Growing postgrad system Diaspora communities