Definitions Research Conclusions
|
Multiple meanings for “postdoc”
The Definitions Project revealed that the term “postdoc” may be used to describe:
- An appointment
- An individual
- An experience
- A translational period
- A title
- A relationship (with employers, mentors, supervisors, etc)
This variety of meanings may play a role in the heterogeneous definitions observed by PDP.
Important definitional elements
Definition content analysis, qualitative studies, and list-assessment surveys suggest that the term “temporary position that provides training in research” may help distinguish postdocs from other researchers.
There are additional definitional elements that are important for defining a postdoc, including:
- ‘Research focus’
- ‘Training focus’
- ‘Transitional (to a full-time career in research)’
Understanding postdocs as a series of relationships
The Definitions Project situated postdocs at the center of a complex network of relationships intended to facilitate a transition to a full-time, independent research career.
These relationships often include
- The principal investigator
- The department, lab, or research center
- A mentor
- A funding agency
- Administration officials
- Postdoc associatons
|
|