Postdocs' perceptions of work environment and career prospects at a US academic institution

The data about postdoctoral researchers' careers are scarce. This study aims to characterize postdoctoral fellows (postdocs) at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern) and to understand how their training might be improved. A postdoctoral survey was performed at the UT Southwestern in April 2005 to generate more information about the profile, employment, training and career outlook of postdocs. Surveys were returned by 51% (301/586) of the postdocs. The survey revealed that individuals stay in postdoctoral positions longer than they would like because it is difficult to get a faculty position. The top priorities are job placement, salary and training opportunities, and majority of the postdocs would like to remain in science, despite the discouraging employment possibilities in academia. Results from this study indicate that the postdocs may not be provided with adequate training and employment opportunities, which is something that the academic institution should pay more attention to.