Plans and Experiences of Postdoctoral Scholars in the Chemical Sciences

This account examines experiences and plans of over 400 postdoctoral scholars in the chemical sciences using data gathered by the American Chemical Society (ACS) in 2019. The sample was evenly divided among U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international scholars. The vast majority reported satisfaction with their experiences, good relationships with their mentors, and confidence in their professional knowledge and preparation. However, there was substantial variability in employment-related benefits and yearly incomes. Over a quarter indicated that their funding was not sufficient to meet the cost of living in their location. About a third indicated that working in industry or government was their first choice for a future career. Only slightly more than half indicated confidence in preparation for future careers, and a third reported experiencing some type of problem during their experience. Scholars who received less than the desired support from mentors and colleagues, whose funding was not adequate to meet the cost of living and/or who had encountered problems expressed significantly less satisfaction with their experience. There were no differences in reported satisfaction associated with gender identity, parent level of education, identification with a group historically under-represented in the field, marital or parental status, or domestic or international background. Policy implications are discussed, including standardization of salaries, recruitment, and employment arrangements; incorporating career and professional development into the postdoctoral experience; recognizing postdoctoral scholars as educators and leaders; and fostering a culture of respect and inclusion that recognizes postdoctoral scholars as valued members of the academic community.