Tracking Career Outcomes for Postdoctoral Scholars: A Call to Action

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Life Sciences
• Research Training

Background:

• Increasing number of postdoctoral scholars compared to faculty positions necessitates better career outcome assessment.
• Current career outcome data for postdoctoral scholars is insufficient for informed decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the career outcomes of postdoctoral scholars at the University of California, San Francisco.
• To propose a framework and methodology for institutions to track postdoctoral alumni employment.
• To advocate for institutional responsibility in assessing and disseminating postdoctoral career trajectories.

Main Methods:

• Study conducted at the University of California, San Francisco.
• Development of a framework and methodology for tracking postdoctoral alumni.
• Emphasis on local data collection over national surveys.

Main Results:

• Study results from UCSF provide insights into postdoctoral career paths.
• Highlights the variability in training environments and classifications across institutions.
• Demonstrates the feasibility of local tracking initiatives.

Conclusions:

• Institutions have an obligation to track and share postdoctoral alumni employment data.
• Local tracking efforts are more meaningful and accurate than national surveys.
• A standardized framework can enable comprehensive national data on postdoctoral career outcomes.