What is a postdoctoral research scientist and how to become one

Key steps to become a postdoctoral research scientist

1. Explore postdoctoral research scientist education requirements

   The educational requirements for a postdoctoral research scientist are a doctorate degree. According to Lisa Cuchara Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Quinnipiac University, passion and curiosity are crucial for postdoctoral research scientists to increase their earning potential. She advises, "Be passionate! Be curious! Make sure that as you go through life you embrace Einstein's quote 'There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.'" She also emphasizes the importance of persistence and determination.

   Most common postdoctoral research scientist degrees

   Doctorate

   43.2 %

   Bachelor's

   39.6 %

   Master's

   15.5 %

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2. Start to develop specific postdoctoral research scientist skills

   Postdoctoral research scientists need a range of skills, including coding skills, quantitative problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to write, speak, and present clearly. They must also be able to work as part of a team. As Professor Fronefield Crawford of Franklin and Marshall College puts it, "A third and fourth skill set that are often overlooked that majors develop (at least in the liberal arts environment where I teach), is the ability to write/speak/present clearly and the ability to work as part of a team. These are critical skills that are not usually part of the formal course curriculum but are developed throughout during coursework."

   In addition to these skills, postdoctoral research scientists need traditional skills like critical thinking and communication. As Distinguished University Professor Glenn Starkman of Case Western Reserve University notes, "Traditional skills are likely to continue to be important: critical thinking and communication, both oral and written."

   Skills	Percentages
   Python	18.14%
   C++	12.56%
   Research Projects	6.03%
   CRISPR	5.08%
   Data Analysis	4.73%

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3. Complete relevant postdoctoral research scientist training and internships

   Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New postdoctoral research scientists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a postdoctoral research scientist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real postdoctoral research scientist resumes.

4. Research postdoctoral research scientist duties and responsibilities

   A postdoctoral research scientist's main responsibilities include honing scientific knowledge and research skills, collaborating with clinicians, and managing laboratory projects. They demonstrate effectiveness in various biological and molecular biology techniques, conduct experiments, and analyze data. They also develop and optimize schemes for protein expression and purification, and present their results at international conferences. As Alessandra Bryant Ph.D., LMFT, an Assistant Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy at Fairfield University, puts it, "Human development is an interdisciplinary major with multiple avenues to pursue post-bachelor's degree. You really need to pursue a master's degree post bachelor's to ensure job security post-grad."

   • Process and manage GIS databases to contribute towards research in human transportation behavior.
   • Perform mouse genotyping by purifying mouse DNA and amplifying it using PCR.
   • Establish stable human and rodent cell lines deficient in DNA DSB repair function.
   • Identify a novel role for a leukemia tumor suppressor in DNA repair pathways.

5. Prepare your postdoctoral research scientist resume

   When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your postdoctoral research scientist resume.

   You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a postdoctoral research scientist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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6. Apply for postdoctoral research scientist jobs

   Now it's time to start searching for a postdoctoral research scientist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

   1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
   2. Consult your professional network
   3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
   4. Watch out for job scams