How To Become A Postdoctoral Scholar: What It Is and Career Path

What is a postdoctoral scholar and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Friedbert Ninow Ph.D.

Some people just do not want to stop pursuing learning. They finish college degrees, take on graduate degrees, and even complete postgraduate degrees. They keep working on the next degree, mostly because they enjoy learning and they want to unlock the secrets of the universe. But what happens when one finally obtains a postgraduate degree yet still wants to pursue learning? Well, they can apply to be Postdoctoral Scholars in institutions.

Postdoctoral scholars continue their pursuit of knowledge in research institutions, laboratories, and universities. They are hired to conduct research related to their field of specialization. They are awarded training or research grants and access to the institution's facilities. Often, postdoctoral scholars are hired for a particular amount of time only, usually depending on the expected length of their research.

In order to be a postdoctoral scholar, you should be able to have the patience and the passion for keeping learning. You need to have a doctorate degree, and you must have an interest in advancing the knowledge in your field.

What general advice would you give to a postdoctoral scholar?

Friedbert Ninow Ph.D.

Dean, La Sierra University

A degree in theological and ministerial studies (or more generally in Religious Studies) does not necessarily have to lead into pastoral ministry. There are many opportunities where a Religion degree is a good foundation: Chaplaincy (e.g., Hospital, Army, Jail, etc.), Politics & Society, Journalism, Health Sciences, Arts, etc.

General advice: Let your heart speak first, not possible career chances or salary perspectives, etc. (I understand that this is important, too).

ScorePostdoctoral ScholarUS Average

Salary

4.5

Avg. Salary $57,587

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 26.29%

Black or African American 6.47%

Hispanic or Latino 9.73%

Unknown 4.14%

White 53.22%

Gender

female 46.99%

male 53.01%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a postdoctoral scholar

Explore postdoctoral scholar education requirements

Most common postdoctoral scholar degrees

Bachelor's

50.1 %

Doctorate

24.0 %

Master's

20.6 %

Start to develop specific postdoctoral scholar skills

Skills	Percentages
Chemistry	10.02%
Python	7.95%
Patients	6.46%
Data Analysis	6.06%
NIH	5.17%

Complete relevant postdoctoral scholar training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New postdoctoral scholars 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 scholar based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real postdoctoral scholar resumes.

Research postdoctoral scholar duties and responsibilities

Lead community-based health projects on and off campus as an Oslerian student scholar.
Lead the in-vitro biophysical and biochemical characterization of homologous recombination and investigate structure-function effects of mutant enzymes.
Utilize basic organic and inorganic chemistry techniques including polymer synthesis and NMR spectroscopy.
Train graduate students on molecular biology techniques- DNA and RNA extraction and qPCR.

Prepare your postdoctoral scholar resume

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

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