Postdoctoral research is done by someone who has finished doing 5 years doctoral studies. This research strengthens ones expertise in the subject of study. In some countries one gets some formal degree or certification once the research is done. A research fellow is one who works with academic staff at a research position. He is required to carry out investigations and in terms of qualification a doctoral degree is a must.
The job profile and responsibilities of a postdoctoral fellow start with performing research in a specific field of expertise that is of importance to the organization that they are working with. Their precise purpose is to carry out high quality research on quantitative and computational aspects in relation to the particular departments they are entitled to.
As they continue to gain experience and start showing the right set of skills, the postdoctoral fellows may be bestowed with additional responsibilities. These may include handling of team projects and even entire departments. This relates to the managerial side of the job which may help add an extended value to the person's profile.
In case they are working with educational research based institutions or universities, the postdoctoral fellows may need to take classes as an Assistant Professor.
Post doctoral fellowship is available in most of the academic and doctoral disciplines of academic institutions, universities and research institutes. The basic academic requirement to be eligible for postdoc is a PhD. Often varied institutions or organizations may have a specific set of requirements in terms of projects and past work, especially if the fellowship is of a professional nature. One can easily learn about these requirements by reading through the post doctoral fellowship program of the particular institution.
The career opportunities as a postdoctoral fellow are varied and numerous. The general perception has been that this is a very risky, unstable and non-rewarding career path and is only suited for those who are willing to remain in academic field for a long period of time. Postdoctoral fellowship has never been considered a full time professional career option. Even if people get fulltime professional jobs, they are generally underpaid. A postdoc, as postdoctoral fellows are popularly known, can find a place in an educational or research institution where he/she can perform either academic or practical/applied research. Apart from the conventional task of an academician that leads to being fulltime professors in academic institutions, research jobs are also available in research institutes and research departments of companies.
Such learned professionals may also get employed in government organizations that seek intellectual strength and strong subject based knowledge. There has always been a huge demand of postdoc candidates in corporate companies seeking a technical edge. With increased competition and technical advancement, the sole option that corporate giants have for survival is to employee more postdoctoral fellows.
With increased focus on education and flow of more money into academics, teachers and professors get lump sum salaries these days. Moreover, as companies have been giving importance to their research programs the research jobs in the corporate sector have become more lucrative financially. Market research revealed that on an average an academic career generally pays less than a non-academic career and the difference may be about $20,000. In post doctoral jobs, the returns may vary from around $20,000 per year to as high as $100,000 per year.
There has been a definite rise in the popularity and recognition of a postdoctoral fellowship as a pursuable career. Job providers have also been recognizing eligible personnel with appropriate rewards. You may have to be patient when you choose this particular career path as it may take longer to get the appropriate returns, stability, and satisfaction. However, for those who have a real passion for academics and their field of study and research, they will surely find this career choice really fulfilling and interesting.
