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Introduction to Experimental Postdoctoral Positions
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Information and Opportunities
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Postdoctoral fellowships have become increasingly common for researchers with a Ph.D in psychology over the past several years. The advantages of a postdoc include gathering additional work experience, connecting with a field expert, expanding one’s professional network, gaining a new skill or specialization, filling in “gaps” in one’s CV (e.g., mentorship, independent data collection), and opportunities for publication. Postdoctoral fellows note that the experience gives them time to publish and add breadth to the scope of their research while applying to academic jobs. Indeed, a postdoctoral fellowship is often seen as an excellent stepping-stone to (or even a prerequisite for) competitive tenure-stream academic positions.
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What is a postdoc?
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Postdoctoral fellowships vary in their form, responsibilities, and duration. While some positions may last one year, others can be renewed for as many as five years. Often, the length and timing (e.g., start and end date) of a postdoctoral fellowship depend on the funding stream that supports the fellowship. Responsibilities may include preparing manuscripts for publication, analyzing data, gathering new data, teaching, mentoring graduate or undergraduate students, presenting data at conferences, managing research assistants, developing study materials, and writing grants. It is very important that you understand the expectations and responsibilities that are associated with a specific postdoctoral fellowship before accepting the position.
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Should I apply for a postdoc?
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As mentioned earlier, the struggle for academic positions in experimental psychology has become increasingly difficult over the years, and now graduate students feel as though they will not have a CV that is competitive enough on the job market right out of school. In these cases, looking for a post doctoral position is an excellent choice as you will gain more skills and experience, as well as flesh out your list of published empirical articles. Typically, after a post-doctoral position, people find they are much more competitive in both academic and industry job markets. However, the post-doctoral experience varies between supervisor and university, so to ensure that your experience is not a waste of time, applicant should be clear about what they will get out of a postdoctoral position, not just what they will give.
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There is an excellent essay that discusses the pros and cons of taking a post-doctoral position on the APA website, written by Dr. Brett Pelham: http://www.apa.org/careers/resources/academic/postdoc-work.aspx
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How do I apply for a postdoc?
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The application process may vary, but is often similar to applying for academic jobs. You may be asked to submit a cover letter, a statement summarizing your research experience, a description of your program of research and future goals, and contact information for letters of recommendation. Unlike academic jobs, postdoctoral fellowships do not have a “season”; they are posted throughout the year with varying deadlines and start date as funds become available. For this reason, it is prudent to look for postdoctoral fellowships throughout the year, rather than only in the fall. Furthermore, some positions are recurring (e.g., available every year) while others are a one-time opportunity.
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Where should I look for postdocs?
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Many positions are not formally posted, but rather spread through word-of-mouth and listservs; you may wish to reach out to your faculty mentors to let them know that you are in the market for a postdoc in case news of one reaches them. Attending conferences and professional meetings is another great way to find out about positions. Field experts at such meetings may have inside information about a colleague who just received grant and may be in the market for a postdoc soon.
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Due to the variability in where and when postdoctoral fellowships are advertised, the following guide is not exhaustive. Rather, we have curated some recurring positions that may be of interest to students of psychology and law that have come to our attention, or some positions that have been advertised or brought to our attention that have application deadlines soon. We also list some resources for students to check periodically for new postdoc opportunities.
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