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	Postdocs Available

Intro | Positions Available | What Is a Postdoc? | Hints and More

Introduction

This page lists postdoctoral fellowships available in the area of organometallic chemistry. To post a free listing on this page simply submit this on-line form. This service is only for those with a position to offer, not those who are seeking a position for themselves.

Postings stay active for approximately three months from the date of receipt unless the poster specifies otherwise. I will consider postings in related areas as long as there is a reasonable tie to Organometallic and/or Inorganic chemistries.

Positions from all countries are accepted. The following exchange rate calculator may be of interest; more countries will be added as needed. The exchange rates were last updated April 18, 2018:

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Intro | Positions Available | What Is a Postdoc? | Hints and More

Positions Available

Intro | Positions Available | What Is a Postdoc? | Hints and More

What Is A Postdoc?

In the field of chemistry, postdoctoral fellowships ("postdocs") are temporary (1 to 2 years, typically) positions available to persons who have recently obtained their Ph.D. (doctoral) degree. These are paid positions at academic, government or industrial organizations, but the pay is typically one-third to one-half of that for a Ph.D. chemist with a "real" job. Most postdocs are purely research positions - there are no classes or grades.

"Teaching postdocs" are similar but afford the opportunity to teach one or two college or university courses as part of one's duties. Teaching postdocs are exceptionally valuable for those aspiring to academic careers at non-Ph.D.-granting institutions, however these types of postdocs are rather rare.

Postdocs are generally associated with a specific researcher rather than a university. They are designed to be mutually beneficial to the sponsor and the postdoctoral fellow. For example:

Benefits for sponsors	Benefits for fellows
A skilled set of lab hands to accelerate one's research program (very important for assistant professors trying to make tenure). A "second in command" who can supervise graduate students, especially when the sponsor is out of town. New skills, techniques, and perspectives that may expand or bolster the sponsor's current research. An opportunity to "test drive" a promising job candidate.	Valuable research experience, often involving new techniques or areas. An additional professional reference. Chance for additional research publications. The opportunity to demonstrate more independence/autonomy than a graduate student. Professional networking opportunities such as ACS meetings or (for a lucky few) Gordon Research Conferences.

Who should take a postdoc position? Most chemists who aspire to an acaedemic research career at a Ph.D. granting institution will take a postdoctoral position for the reasons outlined above. In addition, the competition for academic positions can be quite fierce - up to 100 applicants for a single faculty opening. Many of those in the applicant pool will already have postdoctoral experience under their belt and unless one's graduate research record is truly exceptional, one's chances of competing against these individuals is slim without comparable experience.

Those who wish to go directly into an industrial or government research position do not generally need a postdoc. However, if an employer is looking for a particular set of skills, a postdoctoral stint can give one extra training and experience. Some corporations and national laboratories offer postdoctoral positions, and these can be a terrific foot in the door if the organization has a full-time job open up during or shortly after the postdoc.

One common question for prospective fellows is whether they should seek a postdoc position with a leader in one's field. Such experience can definitely make the fellow much more attractive during a job search. However, do not be shy about selecting a postdoc with a young researcher - having a recommendation letter that says "this person's work is why I made tenure" can be more impressive than a mediocre recommendation from a big name researcher.

Some believe a postdoc should be in the same field as one's doctoral work while others see it as an opportunity to explore new areas or prepare for an interdisciplinary research career. Either extreme or somewhere in between may be true and/or successful depending on one's particular situation. When applying for a postdoc, do not send a generic application letter. Show that you have a thorough understanding of the sponsor's research program and make a clear case how your presence in his or her research group will be mutually beneficial.

Intro | Positions Available | What Is a Postdoc? | Hints and More

Hints and More

Looking for advice on how to land a Big Time academic job after your postdoc? Here are a couple of cheap paperbacks that you can get through Amazon.com that you may find useful:

Getting What You Came for : The Smart Student's Guide to Earning a Master's or a Ph.D.
Robert L. Peters / Paperback / Published 1997
Approximate Price: $11.66

The Academic Job Search Handbook, 5th Ed
Mary Morris Heiberger, Julia Miller Vick / Paperback / Published 2016 / 392 pages.
Approximate Price: $18.95

On the Market : Surviving the Academic Job Search (Serial)
Christina Boufis, Victoria C. Olsen (Editors) / Paperback / Published 1997 / 368 pages.
Approximate Price: $5.91

Lifting a Ton of Feathers : A Woman's Guide to Surviving in the Academic World
Paula J. Caplan / Paperback / Published 1993 / 273 pages.
Approximate Price: $27.48

How to Get a Phd : A Handbook for Students and Their Supervisors
Derek Salman Pugh, Estelle M. Phillips / Paperback / Published 2015 / 280 pages.
Approximate Price: $43.98

Some web-based articles you may find useful include:
• The Postdoc's Plight by Joanne P. Cavanaugh in Johns Hopkins Magazine.
• The Postdoctoral Program at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• Ron Azuma's graduate school survival guide.
• An excerpt from a book titled "Tomorrow's Professor: Preparing For Academic Careers in Science and Engineering".
• Resources and advice for students and postdocs at the Australian National University.
• Professional Tips for PhD Students at Online PhD.

Intro | Positions Available | What Is a Postdoc? | Hints and More

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This page was last updated Wednesday, April 18, 2018
This document and associated figures are copyright 1996-2024 by Rob Toreki or the contributing author (if any) noted above. Send comments, kudos and suggestions to us by email. All rights reserved.