What is a Postdoc?
In many fields, a postdoc is the next step on the academic career path after earning a PhD. A postdoc is a temporary position that allows a PhD to continue their training as a researcher and gain skills and experience that will prepare them for their academic career. Most postdoc positions are at a university or in industry. The vast majority of postdocs work in STEM fields, and these types of positions are becoming more common in social sciences and the humanities.
The purpose of these courses is to support young and talented researchers in promoting applied research at the university. These courses are for graduates of PhD clinical specialty or specialty in a field related to research activities, so that graduates coordinate with one of the professors (faculty member) in one of the research centers of the University. The duration of these courses is one to three years and the principal researcher must have a master's degree (H-index=15 or higher than 15). Post-doctoral research period is simply not leading to a degree. PhD students entering the postdoctoral course implement a research project and are paid a monthly post-doctoral fee in exchange for research fellowship.
What Does a Postdoc Do?
A postdoc is primarily a researcher who works under the supervision of a mentor as part of a larger research group. As such, they conduct research, either on a pre-specified project or one of their own proposals and publish the research. At the same time, a postdoc is meant to prepare young researchers to become principal investigators or junior faculty members, so they also take on senior responsibilities like mentoring, grant writing, and teaching.
How Long Are Postdoc Positions?
The length of a postdoc depends on a number of factors such as the university, country of research, PI, or funding. Most positions are one year and some can be extended. It is common to do more than one postdoc before applying for academic positions. Some countries do limit the total number of years a person can work as a postdoc. Postdoc positions can be funded in several ways. Some postdocs are salaried employees of a university, institution, or company. Other times they are paid a stipend from a grant, fellowship, or scholarship.