Decline in U.S. Scientists Pursuing Postdoc Positions: Latest Data

In the bustling landscape of scientific research and academia, a new trend is emerging that has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions among experts in the field. Data recently released by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has revealed a notable decline in the number of U.S. citizens opting to pursue postdoctoral positions, particularly in the biological and biomedical sciences.

The numbers paint a concerning picture, showing a stark 8% decrease in the participation of U.S. citizens and permanent residents as postdocs from 2021 to 2022, the largest year-to-year drop in the history of the survey. Meanwhile, the number of postdocs holding temporary visas saw a 6% increase during the same period. This shift in demographics is echoing worries about a potential postdoc shortage within the academic community and hinting at a preference among early-career scientists for more lucrative opportunities outside the traditional realms of academia.

The decline is particularly pronounced in the biological and biomedical sciences, where both the total number of postdocs and the number of U.S. citizens and permanent residents engaging in these positions witnessed a notable decrease. This drop aligns with an uptick in hiring by biotech companies, suggesting that the allure of industry roles with higher salaries may be pulling talented researchers away from postdoc positions in academic settings.

Experts in the field, including Tom Kimbis, the executive director and CEO of the National Postdoctoral Association, express concerns about the implications of this trend. They stress the importance of addressing the factors that are dissuading domestic researchers from pursuing postdoc opportunities, underlining that such a shift may not be beneficial for the country as a whole in terms of advancing scientific research and innovation.

While the exact reasons behind this shift remain unclear, there is a growing recognition within the academic community of the need to make postdoc positions more appealing and competitive. Suggestions for enhancing postdoc experiences include increasing salaries, improving benefits, and providing better professional development support. These recommendations have been put forward by advisory groups and organizations within the scientific community, such as the U.S. National Institutes of Health, in a bid to attract and retain top talent in research and academia.

As the landscape of scientific research continues to evolve, the findings from the NSF data serve as a call to action for funding agencies, institutions, and policymakers to reevaluate and revamp postdoctoral positions to ensure they remain attractive and conducive to nurturing the next generation of scientific pioneers.

Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/fewer-u-s-scientists-are-pursuing-postdoc-positions-new-data-show