Ten simple rules to initiate and run a postdoctoral association.

Abstract

Postdoctoral researchers (postdocs) are individuals who have obtained a PhD degree and are working in a temporary, mentored research position [1,2]. A proper postdoctoral experience should provide the necessary training for these individuals to achieve scientific and professional independence. During this phase of researchers’ careers, they should develop new skillsets by working in research groups. At the same time, they are usually involved in multiple tasks, such as mentoring trainees, applying for grants, writing publications, and keeping up with the latest advances in their field [3,4]. As young researchers enter the late-PhD and post-PhD period, they apply for positions with mentors whose work interests them. Mentors help postdocs prepare to lead research groups and improve existing skills or develop new ones [5]. In science, the number of researchers holding a doctoral degree and looking for postdoc positions has doubled in less than 2 decades [4]. However, the number of new academic jobs has not kept pace with this increase. Despite their restricted career prospects, stemming from the highly competitive environment they face [4,6–9], most postdocs wish to remain in research, and nonacademic career paths are often seen as failure [8,10–14]. At the same time, specific training that emphasizes lab management or transferable skills, opportunities to transition into alternative career paths, and coaching on complementary skills are scarce [15,16]. As early-stage researchers are often encouraged to broaden their experience through a stay abroad [2], a postdoctoral position is frequently accompanied by a geographical transition, along with all the challenges of living in a different country and leaving circles of friends and networks of colleagues [17,18]. Postdoctoral associations can improve the quality of the postdoctoral experience and provide support for professional development and everyday working life. Unlike graduate students, postdocs do not have classmates to whom they can turn for support and networking; therefore, a structure that facilitates their integration into their institution can instantly improve their quality of life. As postdocs pay neither tuition nor student fees, institutions dedicate substantially fewer resources to them, even though they constitute a large fraction of the labor force and, together with PhD students, are the major engine driving research. Therefore, a postdoc association can contribute significantly to the professional development of postdoctoral researchers by organizing networking and career events, thus widening their prospects [19]. An established postdoctoral association can facilitate open communication with the host institution and administrative bodies while also helping to develop a nurturing research environment. Additionally, active participation in an association will help postdocs prepare for leadership roles outside the lab and strengthen their curricula vitae (CVs) [20]. At present, only a small number of postdocs spend time developing additional skills beyond research skills during their postdoctoral period. A postdoctoral association is beneficial not only for the postdocs but also for the hosting institution, as clear communication and representation of postdoc problems or needs leads to a better work environment. Top-level research is just a part of the puzzle that attracts talent to an institution. A positive work environment is self-reinforcing: open communication and internal networking support one another, and together, they create an environment that is creative, fun, hardworking, and highly productive [21]. In the United States, postdoctoral associations are present in many research institutes and universities, and the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) organizes an annual conference, besides providing resources for postdocs and (where present) for postdoctoral offices [1]. However, there is little central coordination of different local associations. In the rest of the world, postdoc associations are sporadic and even more isolated than in the US. By sharing our experience in starting and running a postdoc association, and the challenges and joys we encountered, we wish to encourage postdocs to start other postdoc associations. To start and run a postdoctoral association, we suggest the following 10 basic steps.