Ready for the next step? Postdoc? The postdoc is not clearly defined. There are no hard and fast rules as to how postdoctoral candidates are recruited, what roles they take or the terms of employment. The early postdoctoral phase corresponds to a Recognised Researcher as defined by the European Commission: Ph.D. holders or equivalent who are not yet fully independent. If you hope to advance your career in academia, you will need to develop independence. That might not be the easiest thing to do.
There are around 140 postdocs at the HSG aiming to further qualify for a future inside oder outside academia. They work in research, service or teach at our institutes, chairs and centres. The HSG has currently 27 postdocs funded by an International Postdoctoral Fellowship (“GFF Postdocs"). This fellowship is awarded to outstanding postdocs and supports the development of their research profile.
This period typically involves:
• Orientation: decide upon a career inside or outside academia
• Develop skills and competencies that correspond to both, academic and non-academic career objectives
• Financing your position
• Gaining independence
• Achieving visibility witin the scientific community
• Networking
Well, what would your peers recommend? Watch their video!
And this is how your to-do list might look like:
1. Actively focus on defining your career goals
2. Get information about opportunities for funding your own position early enough
3. Work on your communication skills
4. Do you carry out empirical research? Manage your research data
5. Network with your peers
6. Academic integrity: Learn what that means
7. Update your mindmap (right-hand navigation bar "Downloads")