Postdoc Survey

SUNY-STONY BROOK POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR SURVEY

I. DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:

A TOTAL OF TWENTY FOUR PEOPLE ANSWERED THE SURVEY. SEVERAL PEOPLE SKIPPED SOME OF THE QUESTIONS. TWO PEOPLE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES ("BAD THINGS") AND REFUSED TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE.

1. Academic

(a). Twenty-three (23) of the respondents earned Ph.D. degrees and one (1) holds an MD degree

(b). Only six (6) are currently members of a scientific organization or society.

2. The population is split evenly; twelve females and twelve males.

3. The average age is 32

4. Citizenship: Nine (9) US citizens and fifteen (15) "aliens".

5. Three (3) of the aliens have permanent resident status.

6. Nine (9) of the foreigners are considering a professional career in the US; three (3) have not yet made up their minds and three (3) definitely are not considering a career in this country.

7. Geographical or Ethnic origin:

(A) Eight (8) are North American (Indian/native or Alaskan. Hispanic. Caucasian/white. Afro American/black . Canadian )

(B) Two (2) come from Latin America or the Caribbean: (Mexico to Argentina, including the non-Spanish speaking countries of the Caribbean)

(D) Two (2) come from the former Eastern Europe: (East Germany, Poland, Russia, etc.)

(E) Two (2) come from the Indian Subcontinent: (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan)

(F) Five (5) came from countries in East Asia: (Japan, Korea(s), China(s), Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines)

(G) One (1) comes from either Australia or New Zealand

8. Bench work vs. Brain work: (% of appointment time 40 hours = 100%)

A. working at the bench

Two (2) spend less than 50%

Five (5) spend between 50 and 74%

Twelve (12) spend between 75 and 99%

Five (5) are 100% of the time "at the piano"

B. attending academic seminars, courses or meetings or reading scientific publications

Ten (10) spend less than 10%

Eleven (11) spend between 10 and 25%

One (1) spends between 25 and 50%

9. Primary research area

(1) Biochemistry/Cell Biology = 13

(2) Molecular Biology/Genetics = 6

(3) Neurobiology = 1

(4) Signal transduction = 1

(5) Ecology/Evolution = 3

10. Length of current position

Seven (7) have been at USB as postdocs less than one year

Seven (7) have been here between one and two years

Four (4) have been here between two and three years

Five (5) have been here between three and four years

One (1) has been a postdoc at USB for more than four years

11. Total time as postdocs

Five (5) are finishing their first year as postdocs

Six (6) have been working between one and two years

Four (4) have been postdocs between two and three years

Five (5) have held a postdoc position between three and four years

One (1) is in the fifth year

Three (3) have held postdocs for more than five years

12. Primary source of support

Seventeen (17) are being supported through federal research grant or contracts. One (1) is supported by a nonfederal nationally awarded fellowship. Two (2) derive support from University or state funds . Two (2) are supported by foreign governments. One (1) is paid with money from industry. One (1) is supported by a nonprofit organization

13. The funds for the salaries of 18 of the postdocs were awarded to the project director. Six (6) of the postdocs received individual awards.

14. Salaries

Two (2) are being paid less than $19,600

Two (2) are being paid between $19,601 and 21,000

Six (6) are being paid between $21,001 and 25,000

Five (5) are being paid between $27,001 and 29,000

Two (2) are being paid between $29,001 and 31,000

Six (6) are being paid between $31,001 and 34,000

One (1) is being paid between $34,001 and 40,000

II. TRAINING

15-16. The postdoc/ student ratios fall all over the place; from 1/ 1 to 1/ 6 but including also a 4/ 1. The smallest group in training (postdocs plus students) has three people and the largest was twelve.

17. Frequency of meetings to discuss work

Daily, 2. Weekly, 12. One- two times per month, 7. Quarterly, 2. Less than quarterly, 2.

18. Performance evaluations in the most recent year?

No = 21 (twenty-one)

Yes = 3 (three). One written and two oral.

19. Nineteen (19) thought that evaluations are useful.

20. Number of evaluations per year: fifteen (15) think that once or twice a year would be O.K. Five (5) don't know what is the best. Two (2) think that a quarterly evaluation is appropriate and one (1) would like to have a monthly evaluation

21. Contribution of the principal investigator/ mentor to:

Score followed by the number of people that assigned the score

(a) Lab techniques. Very high = one (1). Somewhat important = five (5). Low = ten (10). None = seven (7)

(b) Lab management. Very high = two (2). Somewhat important = six (6). Low = eleven (11). None = four (4)

(d) Writing/publishing. Very high = eight (8). Somewhat important = eight (8). Low = five (5). None = two (2)

(e) Intellectual vigor of the lab. Very high = six (6). Somewhat important = nine (9). Low = six (6). None = two (2)

(f) Determining the direction research projects. Very high = three (3). Somewhat important = fifteen (15). Low = four (4). None = one (1)

22. To the question: How do you feel in your current position?, the answers were:

Eleven (11) as a scientist receiving advanced training. Four (4) as a highly qualified/low paid technician

Three (3) as a combination of the two kinds. Two (2) as semi-independent researchers. One (1) as independent researcher. Two (2) as other (not specific). One (1) did not answer

23. To the question: Would you recommend your current lab/boss to someone else (graduate student, postdoc) the answers were :

Yes = Thirteen (13). No = Four (4). Not sure = Two (2) . Don't know = Three (3). Students only = One (1).

Postdocs only = One (1)

24. Research presentation outside own group:

None = twelve (12). Once or twice = ten (10). Three or more = two (2)

25. Research presentation outside Stony Brook :

None = thirteen (13). Once or twice = seven (7). Three or more = four (4)

26. Fourteen (14) of the respondents would like to include teaching experience as part of the postdoc training. Eight (8) are not sure and two (20) answered NO.

27. Regarding teaching, nineteen (19) have had some teaching experience and five (5) none.

III. JOB /CAREER ISSUES

28. To the question: Did you take a postdoctoral appointment within a year after receiving your doctoral degree? Twenty-two (22) ansewered YES adn one (1) NO.

(In addition not a single one had to prolong the length of graduate student training just to wait for a postdoc position.)

29. Reasons for taking the FIRST postdoctoral appointment

To obtain additional research experience in your doctoral field = Twelve (12)

To work with a particular scientist or research group = Four (4)

To switch into a different field of research = Eight (8)

Couldn't obtain type of employment position you wanted = Three (3)

Other reason (not specified) = One (1)

30. To the question: Are you keeping your current postdoctoral appointment(s) because of difficulty in finding other employment you wanted?

Six (6) answered YES

31. Number of applications for permanent career positions (not a postdoc) submitted in the last year

Fifteen (15) people have not submitted any applications. Four (4) people sent out between 1 and 5 applications and another four (4) sent out up to ten applications. One person did send out at least 21 applications.

32. Number of interviews for a permanent career position

Of those that submitted applications five (5) have been interviewed (out of nine that were looking for jobs)

33. Only one (1) person has secured a permanent position .

34. Regarding immediate career plans the situation is as follows

Not actively seeking new position = eleven (11)

Actively seeking new position because present position terminates shortly = two (2)

Actively seeking new position because of dissatisfaction with present position = three (3)

Three (3) people expect to have a position abroad; one (1) person has landed a job and one (1) describes her/ his situation as "actively seeking to get professional and economic stability"

35. People who plan to pursue a career in scientific research

Only three (3) answered NO and one (1) is not totally sure

36. The areas different from basic research that people are looking into are: applied biotech, business, management and industry (perhaps production)

37. Usefulness of postdoctoral experience:

Eleven (11) people believe it has been (will be) very useful

Nine (9) think feel that the postdoctoral work has been somewhat useful

One (1) answered not too useful. One (1) answered not useful at all and another one (1) did not answer or is not sure

38. Rating of the sources for information about jobs.

Principal investigator/mentor = The majority thinks that they are not the best source. Nine (9) votes for NOT AT ALL; six (6) for NOT TOO USEFUL; six (6) for somewhat useful. Three (3) did not answer

Other members of your lab or group = This group didn't fare much better. Five (5) votes for Not at all; Nine (9) for not too useful; eight (8) for somewhat useful and one (1) for very useful. One didn't answer

The Internet is considered the best source of information overall. Fourteen (14) voted it as the most useful and seven (7) voted for somewhat useful. Ads in professional journals are the next best source with eight (8) votes for very useful and seven (7) as somewhat useful.

Posted announcements and Other scientists appear to fall right in the middle.

39. Regarding the usefulness of job-related functions, three are considered of top importance: maintenance of job listings for research or non-research positions, information about employers and seminars or courses on career related issues

40. Concerning potential employers and the most desired employer, the preferences are (listed in decreasing order)

(1) -Academic institutions/research-oriented position

(2) -Academic institutions/teaching-oriented position

(3) -Industry

(4) -Nonprofit/non-Government

(5) -Government

(6) -Clinical research

(7) -Other = Business, Publishing

41. Additional areas of interest are as follows (listed in decreasing order)

(1) Biotechnology

(2) Government research

(3) Pharmaceutical industry

(4) Education

(5) Scientific publishing

(6) Non profit organizations

(7) Health or technology policy

(8) Finance/venture capital

(9) Intellectual property/patent law

42. Perception of the job market for scientists now: Overall not to good

Poor = Ten (10). Fair = Eight (8). Good = Three (3). Don't know = Three (3)

43. Rating of own chances of finding a satisfying career

Fair = Ten (10). Good = Five (5), Poor = Four (4). Don't know = Four (4)

44. To the question: Do you think your mentor has a realistic view of the job market for scientists today.

Twelve (12) answered NO. Eight (8) answered YES and four (4) DON'T KNOW

45. Keeping track of people: The record is really bad. Only six people could tell ( or...guess )?

IV. BENEFITS

48. Every one of the respondents has health insurance (24). Twenty-three (23) are covered by the plans offered through the Research Foundation of SUNY; one (1) gets health coverage as part of family coverage outside SUNY. Sixteen (16) people have dental insurance; fifteen (15) of them get it through the Research Foundation and one (1) again as part of family coverage provided to her/ his spouse. Six (6) people do not have dental benefits.

49. Only six (6) people use the parking facilities at USB.

50. Seven (7) of the respondents have children. None of them had a child born while working as a postdoc at USB. Only two (2) of the respondents use childcare services.

51. Other benefits that people would like to have access to are: Retirement plans. Comprehensive health (medical, dental and optical) regardless of sources of funding.

V. ROLE OF POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS ASSOCIATION

52. According to the survey, the functions of PSA should be (in decreasing order):

(1) Help develop a careers office to serve postdocs/ students

(2) Provide information and referrals to postdocs for benefits and rights

(3) Provide postdoc representation to University administration and faculty groups

(4) Organize postdoc seminar series (research and career seminars)

(5) Provide an information manual to prospective or incoming postdoc)

(6) Organize social functions for interaction with other postdocs

53. The information that is considered to be useful in a "postdoc manual" is (in decreasing order)

(1) Medical/ Dental Benefits and rights

(2) Housing and Childcare

(3) Scientific resources and facilities on campus

(4) Rating of faculty and Departments (based on survey of current postdocs/ graduate students)

(5) University Administrative structure

(6) Campus organizations

(7) Career and employment referrals

(8) Arts and leisure activities

54. There were few additional comments here they are:

"This (survey) made me think about my career."

"It helps me think about my current status."

"Ranking of the labs is not appropriate at all."

"I've found myself competing with my 'mentor'. This person does need technicians instead of postdocs in the lab."