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Academic ecosystems must evolve to support a sustainable postdoc workforce
Murielle Ålund1,2, Nathan Emery3, Benjamin J M Jarrett4
1Department of Integrative Biology, Program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
Abstract:
The postdoctoral workforce comprises a growing proportion of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community, and plays a vital role in advancing science. Postdoc professional development, however, remains rooted in outdated realities. We propose enhancements to postdoc-centred policies and practices to better align this career stage with contemporary job markets and work life. By facilitating productivity, wellness and career advancement, the proposed changes will benefit all stakeholders in postdoc success-including research teams, institutions, professional societies and the scientific community as a whole. To catalyse reform, we outline recommendations for (1) skills-based training tailored to the current career landscape, and (2) supportive policies and tools outlined in postdoc handbooks. We also invite the ecology and evolution community to lead further progressive reform.
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