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Celebrating postdocs
They do the heavy lifting all year long
in labs across the globe. The third
week of this month is dedicated to
showing our appreciation.
BY ROBERT BARRETT AND KATE M. SLEETH
National Postdoctoral Awareness Week runs from Sept. 19
through Sept. 23. Initiated by the National Postdoctoral
Association in 2009, the observance is intended to highlight
the contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to science
and to spur institutions to show their appreciation in various
ways. Here, Robert Barrett and Kate M. Sleeth of the National
Postdoctoral Association explain how the observance came to be
and how their organization can serve the postdocs that labs rely
on every day.
National Postdoctoral Awareness Week initially began
as a one-day event known as National Postdoc Appreciation
Day, which was held Sept. 24, 2009. The inaugural
observance was a great success, with more than 50 institutions
in the United States and others as far away as Australia
participating.
The one-day celebration subsequently was expanded to a
full week in September to allow institutions greater flexibility.
In 2010, more than 110 events were held in 30 U.S. states.
What happens during the observance
The events that are held vary widely depending on the needs
and resources of the participating institutions. Some host
symposia that allow postdocs to showcase their current
projects. Others invite noted speakers to give lectures. Still others
provide seminars on grant writing and careers outside of
academia. Seminars also are used to showcase the latest technology
available for use by postdocs. Almost all institutions
support networking events with free food and drinks.
Why postdocs deserve recognition
The NPA initiated the observance so that institutions collectively
could recognize the value of postdocs to campuses,
facilities and the scientific enterprise in general.
The number of postdocs has been increasing steadily in the
U.S., and the training has become the natural next career step
for newly minted Ph.D.s. The temporary period of mentored
research or scholarly training allows them to acquire the skills
needed to pursue independent careers.
In earlier years, there was no limit to how many years one
could remain in a postdoctoral position, but new rules for
National Institutes of Health grant eligibility have capped the
experience at five years for many institutions.
Postdoctoral scholars are responsible for the majority
of research output in the United States and drive the entire
research enterprise in both academic and industrial settings.
In 2008, the National Science Foundation’s Science and Engineering
Indicators report estimated that there were about 89,000
postdoctoral scholars involved in research in the United States.
In addition, although postdoctoral scholars often work up to 80
hours a week, they earn an average of only $38,000 a year.
Postdocs are motivated by their passion for discovery and
the scientific method and their wish to make a positive difference
in the world. To fulfill these desires, many sacrifice
financial security and often work in countries far from their
families.
The National Postdoctoral Association
The primary aim of the association is to advance the U.S.
research enterprise by maximizing the effectiveness of the
22 ASBMB Today September 2011