"Postdoctoral positions are a common, and often necessary, interlude between graduate study and tenure-track life. The experiences and training gained from a postdoc can shape the rest of your career." I agree with the two authors of a July 15 article in The Chronicle of Higher Education (from which I borrowed the title of this blog) that it can be challenging to find out even the most basic information about such opportunities. Thus, I hope that you will take the time to follow this link to the article and actually read it. There's lots of good advice in the article; it helps that it's actually written by postdoctoral fellows. The comments are also quite worthwhile reading.
If I were to add another piece of explicit advice, also use the time as a postdoc to prepare yourself as a scholar, a researcher, and a grant writer in ways that will strengthen the ideas behind your research, demonstrate that you have the wherewithal to carry out your project, and enhance your ability to communicate what hiring committees and reviewers of papers and grants are looking for. You can find excellent advice on how to position yourself as a scholar, a researcher and a grant writer in David Stone's article on becoming a successful principal investigator in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Mike mentioned a week ago that he has something in mind he wants to blog. Thus, don't be surprised if you get double blogged this week.
I'm out of here. Enjoy your weekend.
Dieter
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