Academic Ecosystems Must Evolve to Support a Sustainable Postdoc Workforce

Authors

• Murielle Ålund, Michigan State University
• Nathan Emery, Michigan State University
• Benjamin J. M. Jarrett, Michigan State University
• Kirsty J. MacLeod, Lund University - Sweden
• Helen F. McCreery, Harvard University
• Nadya Mamoozadeh, Michigan State University
• John G. Phillips, Michigan State University; University of Idaho
• Jory Schossau, Michigan State University
• Andrew W. Thompson, Michigan State University
• Alexa R. Warwick, Michigan State University; Michigan State University
• Kelsey M. Yule, Arizona State University
• Erin R. Zylstra, Michigan State University
• Eben Gering, Michigan State University; Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

ORCID

0000-0002-1270-6727

ResearcherID

J-8619-2012

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Nature Ecology and Evolution

ISSN

2397-334X

Publication Date

4-13-2020

Keywords

Careers, Culture, Institutions

Abstract

The postdoctoral workforce comprises a growing proportion of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community, and plays a vital role in advancing science. Postdoc professional development, however, remains rooted in outdated realities. We propose enhancements to postdoc-centred policies and practices to better align this career stage with contemporary job markets and work life. By facilitating productivity, wellness and career advancement, the proposed changes will benefit all stakeholders in postdoc success—including research teams, institutions, professional societies and the scientific community as a whole. To catalyse reform, we outline recommendations for (1) skills-based training tailored to the current career landscape, and (2) supportive policies and tools outlined in postdoc handbooks. We also invite the ecology and evolution community to lead further progressive reform.

DOI

10.1038/s41559-020-1178-6

First Page

1

Last Page

7

Comments

©Springer Nature Limited 2020

Additional Comments

NSF grant #: DBI-0939454; Swiss NSF grant #: P2SKP3_184052; Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant #: 799025

NSUWorks Citation

Ålund, Murielle; Nathan Emery; Benjamin J. M. Jarrett; Kirsty J. MacLeod; Helen F. McCreery; Nadya Mamoozadeh; John G. Phillips; Jory Schossau; Andrew W. Thompson; Alexa R. Warwick; Kelsey M. Yule; Erin R. Zylstra; and Eben Gering. 2020. "Academic Ecosystems Must Evolve to Support a Sustainable Postdoc Workforce." Nature Ecology and Evolution , (): 1-7. doi:10.1038/s41559-020-1178-6.