How do I find a postdoc position?
Emma Newman
Updated on March 12, 2026
The easiest way to find a postdoctoral position in the United States is to look at postdoctoral job offers advertised on job websites. Recruiters post their offers on these platforms and you can apply either by emailing the recruiter directly or through the website application page.
Keeping this in consideration, how do I get a postdoctoral research fellowship?
Here are 18 tips for a successful application
- Get advice from your PhD supervisor.
- Start building your networks early.
- Finding funding.
- Be cautious about firing off out-of-the-blue emails.
- Look for opportunities outside your specialism.
- Look worldwide.
- Consider opportunities for a portfolio career.
Similarly, how many years is a postdoctoral degree? Most positions are two to three years and some can be extended. A non-representative survey among my colleagues lead to a clear answer – a good postdoc period takes 2 to 4 years.
Similarly one may ask, how do I apply for a postdoc in Switzerland?
Getting a position
- Applicants should have completed their doctoral degree within two years of submission.
- At least one scientific publication in a peer-reviewed journal, or a prize for their doctoral thesis.
- To start the fellowship at the latest six months after the submission of the application.
Is it hard to find a postdoc?
A good postdoc position, however, can be hard to find. There's no national registry of psychology postdocs and many recent grads find they have to figure out the best training opportunity using several different resources.
Related Question Answers
What is the salary after PhD?
PhD Salary| Stream | Top PhD Specializations | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | PhD Pathology | INR 4,00,000 - 11,00,000 |
| PhD Neuroscience | ||
| Engineering | PhD Mechanical Engineering | INR 3,00,000 - 15,00,000 |
| PhD Information Technology |
How do you find a postdoc in psychology?
How to find a postdoc- APA.
- APPIC listings.
- Association for Psychological Science.
- APPIC "Postdoc Network"
- Science Magazine 's Science Careers.
- The Psychology Job Wiki.
Which country is best for postdoc?
It is common to go on to do a PostDoc in Europe. This is true for countries such as The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland.Europe.
| Country | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Name | PostDoc/Research assistant II |
| Length | 3 years (6 years max.) |
| Average Salary | €80,899 |
Is PhD and postdoc the same?
The first and foremost difference between the two is that a PhD is "awarded" after defending a thesis (plus additional duties depending on the department). On the other hand, a PostDoc is a temporary working position that is assigned by some institution, whose completion does not require any defence.Mar 3, 2018What should I do after PhD?
After a PhD, you may have PhD post-doc position or some Visiting Scientist positions in some Universities. What is more important, you must remain more active and productive to achieve your Professor grade which is more indicative.Is postdoc a job?
A postdoc is a temporary position that allows a PhD to continue their training as a researcher and gain skills and experience that will prepare them for their academic career. Most postdoc positions are at a university or in industry, but there some postdocs positions at nonprofits and in government.How do I get a good postdoc?
How to maximise one's chances of getting a good postdoc position?- High quality research published in high reputation journals (obviously).
- Creating a contact network at conferences, research visits and through scientific collaborations.
- Online visibility through blogging, social networking etc.
- Good teaching experience.
When should I start looking for a postdoc?
You should start thinking about your postdoc EARLY. I recommend applying for postdocs about a year before you want to leave your PhD lab. Yes, this seems early, but the process takes time, and PIs (principal investigators, i.e. lab heads) need to plan ahead to make decisions about how much space and funding they have.Apr 7, 2018How competitive are postdoc fellowships?
In recent years, between 25% and 30% of all applications have been successful. The Academy's Visiting Scholars Program provides residential fellowships to postdoctoral scholars in the humanities and social sciences.How many publications do you need for a postdoc?
In more than one research area an average of about three peer-reviewed publications per year is recommended for postdoctoral fellows aiming to become tenure-track assistant professors.Jun 1, 2021How do I get a Harvard postdoc?
Have an MD, MD/PhD, PhD, ScD, or equivalent degree in the basic or social sciences. Have United States citizenship or permanent resident status. Come from a background that is historically underrepresented in the basic and social sciences. Have no more than two years of postdoctoral experience.Are postdocs competitive?
The number of postdoctoral scholars has been rising steadily over the past few decades, making the competition for positions in the academic market as intense as ever. Meanwhile, other career options are available, but many postdocs don't know where to find them or how to prepare for them.Apr 16, 2015How do I write a postdoc application?
Postdoc Applications: CV and Cover Letter- a brief introduction of yourself and your research experience.
- your defense timeline.
- why you are interested in conducting research in that laboratory.
- indicate that you are interest in applying for the postdoctoral position or ask if there is an opening in their lab at this time.
What is a postdoc research fellow?
A postdoctoral researcher or postdoc is a person professionally conducting research after the completion of their doctoral studies (typically a PhD).How much a postdoc earns in Switzerland?
The average postdoc salary in Switzerland is CHF 80'000 per year or CHF 41.03 per hour. Entry-level positions start at CHF 65'000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to CHF 92'830 per year.Why are postdocs paid so poorly?
It's simple economics. The supply of postdocs in academia far exceeds the demand for them. This makes postdocs essentially worthless in academia.How much a postdoc earns in Germany?
Postdocs are paid at the E13 or (less commonly) E14 level, with the exact starting pay grade depending on how their years of experience (bachelor's, Master's, and PhD) are counted. The salary range for a 100% E13 postdoc is €3,438.27-€4,962.10 and the salary range for a 100% E14 postdoc is €3,891.16-€5,517.62.How long are postdocs in Switzerland?
Each Swiss university offers postdoctoral positions as do many large companies and research centres. There is no official duration for a postdoc position, but it usually lasts between 1 and 6 years depending on the research field and the university.Do you have to do a postdoc to be a professor?
To be sure, a postdoc is still required for tenure-track faculty research jobs and for most college teaching positions, and many postdocs engaged in training hope and expect to progress toward these positions.Aug 23, 2016How much does a postdoc earn in Canada?
The average postdoc salary in Canada is $50,000 per year or $25.64 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $44,375 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $65,000 per year.What do post docs do?
A postdoc is generally a short-term research position that provides further training in a particular field, and for individuals planning research careers in academia, government, or industry, the postdoc years can be an opportunity to develop independence, hone technical skills, and focus research interests.What is the living cost in Switzerland?
What are the general living expenses for Switzerland? How much can you get by on?| Living expenses in Switzerland (excluding rent) | Geneva average cost |
|---|---|
| Single person, per year | CHF 17,328 |
| University student, per month | CHF 1,062 |
| 4 person family, per month | CHF 5,362 |
| 4 person family, per year | CHF 64,344 |
