The work of a postdoctoral scientist is to conduct a wide range of research work based on the scientific projects. The scientists have to design the experiment on their own. They then have to record the data, analyze the data, and preserve it so that other researchers can use it if necessary. Once the research is completed, they have to report the results in scientific meetings. At the scientific meetings, they have to explain all the progression made or problems experienced while conducting the experiment. They also have to report as to how the particular conclusion was derived to their seniors and project leaders or the participants in the meetings.
After conducting the research the scientist at postdoctoral position has to come to an appropriate conclusion based on the results of the experiments. They make arbitrary assumptions before carrying out an experiment. The scientists have to clearly note down all their findings so that there is no confusion while compiling the results to reach a specific conclusion. At times while performing the experiment, it is possible that the postdoctoral scientist discovers something unique what he never anticipated while starting his research. It is important for these scientists to record such discoveries and report them during the scientific meetings of their department.
To become a postdoctoral scientist or to get postdoctoral jobs, you need to obtain a PhD degree in the related scientific field. You need to pursue more than five years of doctoral studies to get jobs in this field. Various organizations have different requirements for the recruitment in the positions of postdoctoral scientists. Therefore you need to find out what qualification is necessary to get postdoctoral jobs.
Along with the academic qualification, you need to have specific skill sets to enter the postdoctoral field. You should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You should be able to communicate about your research work both in writing and verbally. You should be able to carry out multi-disciplinary experiments in the laboratory. Knowledge about software and databases is also very essential. As a postdoctoral scientist, you should work in coordination with other researchers of your team. The scientists have to be confident if they have to handle the scientific projects individually. They should have leadership and management skills to head the team of junior scientists working under them. He has to help them if they encounter a problem during a research and guide them about the path of research. You need to be innovative while conducting the experiments. You should be able to present the report accurately.
Most of the training can be gained while you are pursuing your PhD. However, to sharpen your skills and gain more knowledge, you can work as a trainee in a specific ongoing research. For example, those who are specializing in molecular biology need to gain experience by acting as a trainee in experiments relevant to human genetics, cell culture, and other related domains. You need to be very thorough in your field and also related fields to be postdoctoral scientists.
Once you get lot of experience as postdoctoral scientists, you can become a head of a particular project or a senior project manager. However, this position can only be achieved if you have the right educational qualifications and skills beside the experience. You can even start your own laboratory after being an expert in the field. This job field will never see a crunch as such brilliant researchers are crucial for the progress of science and technology.
The salary of a postdoctoral scientist is about $90,000 per year. This is due to the fact that senior postdoctoral positions are obtained after extensive research, good academic qualification, and years of experience in the specific field. Certain research departments offer pension schemes and excellent social facilities for postdoctoral scientists in their firm. The remuneration depends on a range of factors like employing organizations, the location where the scientist is based, educational attainments, and years of experience in the field.
As a postdoctoral scientist, you can make an important contribution in the field of science and find possible solutions to different scientific problems through your experiments.
