Postdoc is still very popular in science & engineering. Perhaps, that’s why it doesn’t get much better. 2004: 49.2% 2014: 47.9% 2019: 45.5% 2024: 45.8% This is the Postdoc Rate according to the NSF SED reports. Despite low salary, under-appreciation, anxiety and uncertainty. Despite challenging career prospects. I may be wrong, but… I think it might be the reason WHY so little is changing for postdocs There is simply no incentive to improve the life of postdocs if the postdoc rate doesn’t drop. 📍 What I learned in my academic career: - Only few postdoc get faculty positions. - Postdoc does NOT give advantage when applying to industry (only for specific niches, primarily in biotech). - Postdoc pushes you into an academic track. People don’t see you as an industry person. - Salaries are often low. Supporting a family during postdoc requires real survival skills. So - unless you have an outstanding PhD profile and can land a faculty position later (or if you have immigration status to solve), postdoc position is hard to justify. Especially when high-tech industry is booming. 🛑 For PhD students - if you’re considering a postdoc, check out a Q&A session that I recorded during an academic workshop in Swiss Alps: “Postdocs: Competition, Faculty Positions & Industry” Watch it on here: youtu.be/YJm9pyb5xwY ____