Mediating role of self-efficacy in the association between multidimensional resource support and postdoctoral job satisfaction

As the core research talent in the challenging and competitive research field, the job satisfaction of postdocs is highly important for research output, technological advancement, and the future reserve of talent. This study explores the impact of resource support on postdoctoral job satisfaction using data from Nature’s 2023 postdoc survey. The findings showed that postdocs generally report high levels of job satisfaction, but there are significant differences in the resource support provided by their institutions, with career development support particularly in need of improvement. Supervisor support, financial support, organizational support, and career development support all positively predict job satisfaction among postdocs, with self-efficacy playing a significant mediating role. The results emphasize the importance of increasing resource support for postdoctoral work and suggest that postdoctoral job satisfaction can be enhanced by guaranteeing postdoctoral research autonomy, building an inclusive work culture, improving postdoctoral career development skills, and increasing career opportunities.