Investments in Early Career Scientists: How Does the Postdoc Influence Career Outcomes and Contribute to the Scientific Enterprise?

This project aims to foster research collaborations among NBER affiliates and research funders to gain a better understanding of the effect of scientific training on science careers. This project will examine the interaction between research funding, graduate training, postdoctoral researchers and early career independence. Examples of potential research questions to be investigated include: 1) data limitations related to research on graduate and postdoctoral training on subsequent career outcomes; 2) does postdoctoral training raise the likelihood of a scientific research career? 3) what determines the length and compensation structure of postdoctoral training? 4) how do postdocs contribute to overall research system? 5) what is the effect of team size on science careers? 6) how do different types of postdocs such as those funded by principal-investigators compared with postdoctoral fellowships affect career outcomes? 7) how do postdocs compare across countries? And 8) what is the role of the postdoc on the diversity of scientists? These projects will contribute to a better understanding of the postdoc and inform policy designed to promote independent research careers.