Postdoctoral Positions: How to Succeed as a Physicist

Postdoctoral Positions

What is a postdoc?

If you intend to pursue an academic or research career, you will very likely need postdoctoral experience. A postdoctoral appointment is typically a 2- to 3-year position at a university, national laboratory, or an industrial lab (for example, Bell Labs). It is common for people to take two postdoctoral positions before finding a permanent job, so this part of your career can last longer than you initially expect.

Although temporary, the postdoctoral period is often one of the most productive phases of a scientific career: it’s when you can establish your research identity and build a visible record of independent work.

How postdocs are created and why they’re temporary

A postdoctoral position is usually funded by a research grant: money has been allocated to hire someone for a specific duration, and when the grant ends the position typically ends too. Occasionally an institution will convert a postdoc into a permanent appointment, but you should not count on that. Treat a postdoc as temporary and plan your next steps accordingly.

What institutions expect

Leading universities and national labs generally look for candidates who have demonstrated the ability to:

• Carry out high-quality research independently,
• Think creatively and identify new, important problems, and
• Seek or attract funding (this is less relevant in some theoretical fields or large-collaboration experiments).

A postdoc is the usual time to show these skills in a way that convinces hiring committees you are ready for a permanent position.

Day-to-day expectations

Unlike a graduate student role, as a postdoctoral researcher you are expected to “hit the ground running.” You were hired for your expertise, and you should be able to work independently. While your supervisor will set a broad research direction, you should propose and pursue specific projects and demonstrate initiative. Your supervisor is no longer there to hold your hand the way a Ph.D. adviser might have.

Teaching, mentoring, and service

If your appointment is at an academic institution, you may have teaching duties or other academic responsibilities. While these duties reduce time for research, they are valuable on your CV—especially if you plan to apply for academic jobs. Similarly, you may supervise graduate students; mentoring is part of the role and an opportunity to pass on what you learned as a graduate student.

Publishing and visibility

During a postdoc you are expected to publish—ideally in leading journals—and to build a coherent publication record. This is how you make a name for yourself in the field. Know the publication process and timelines in your area so you can plan projects that will yield timely papers.

Funding: learn how to write proposals

Funding rules vary by institution, but the ability to attract research support can improve your prospects. In some national labs you may apply for internal short-term programs (for example, LDRD—laboratory-directed research and development) that help seed larger external grants.

Ask your supervisor to show you successful proposal examples. Even if you do not plan to write grants immediately, review the requirements and formats on major funder sites (in the U.S., the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation) so you understand what reviewers look for.

Job search and eligibility limits

Keep looking for the next position throughout your appointment. It is common to take a second postdoc if a permanent job does not materialize.

Note: some institutions impose eligibility limits. For example, many U.S. national labs limit postdoctoral eligibility to within six years of earning your Ph.D. If you passed that limit, you may no longer qualify for postdoc roles at those labs.

Why the postdoc matters

To many, the postdoctoral period is the first time they truly feel like an independent physicist—doing the work they dreamed of without the constant oversight of a mentor. It is often the last time you can be single-mindedly focused on research before administrative and service responsibilities grow in a permanent role. Treat this time as a transition: a chance to sharpen independence, produce impactful work, and prepare for the responsibilities of a permanent position.