Ten simple rules for postdoctoral mums to stay competitive in academia

Area of Science:

• Life sciences
• Social sciences
• Academia

Background:

• The "postdoc bottleneck" and motherhood present significant challenges for women in academia.
• This leads to a "leaky pipeline" of female talent in senior research positions.
• Retention of women post-doctorate is crucial for institutional balance and scientific progress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide actionable strategies for postdoctoral women planning or experiencing motherhood.
• To enhance the likelihood of retaining female talent in academic research careers.
• To foster supportive relationships between postdoctoral mothers, supervisors, and collaborators.

Main Methods:

• Development of 10 evidence-based rules tailored for postdoctoral women.
• Focus on proactive preparation and management of academic career progression during motherhood.
• Emphasis on communication and collaboration with supervisors and peers.

Main Results:

• Provides a practical framework for postdoctoral women to balance career and family.
• Aims to mitigate the negative impact of motherhood on academic retention.
• Offers guidance for maintaining productivity and collaboration during parental leave and return.

Conclusions:

• Implementing these rules can improve the retention and progression of postdoctoral mothers.
• A supportive academic environment is essential for retaining female researchers.
• Addressing the challenges faced by postdoctoral mothers benefits the entire academic community.