Stages:Early Predoctoral (Year 1-2) Training Late Doctoral (Year 3-5) Training Postdoctoral Training
It is becoming more and more common to undertake postdoctoral training regardless of your career path. Although your postdoctoral research should be a logical extension of your PhD research, it represents a critical point in your career during which you establish a track record of independence and productivity while carving out a research niche.
- Choose the right mentor/project/institution. Ask the same questions you used to choose a PhD advisor, but remember that it is generally favorable to demonstrate flexibility by changing one aspect of your research. If your personal situation makes moving impractical, consider conducting research outside of your original field. If you discover that you really love your PhD research, you can always go back. Having a well-known, well-funded advisor is much more important as a postdoc than it is as a grad student. Take the time to do good research here.
- Keep the lines of communication between you and your mentor open. One of the critical components to a successful postdoctoral position is the ability to carve out a research niche for yourself. Therefore, it is critical to talk to your mentor early and often about career prospects in your field. In addition, the perception you leave with your postdoctoral mentor will follow you into your first job. Most likely they will be contacted and you want them to be able to honestly assess your research potential.
- Apply for grants. It is critical that you acquire outside funding during your postdoctoral research. Use the ASH Grants Clearinghouse to identify potential grants, paying special attention to grants that provide a training component. Not all grants are equal or applicable to every career path, so discuss your options with your mentor. If you are interested in obtaining NIH funding, consider using their Career Award Wizard.
- Network whenever and wherever you can. Many postdocs remember to attend (and network at) professional society gatherings like the ASH annual meeting, but forget that they should also engage in departmental seminars, journal clubs, and student societies on or off campus. These local contacts can be critical in shaping your career as they often provide more immediate feedback and provide a more honest assessment of your performance.
- Get involved. Join the ASH Grassroots Network and the ASH Trainee Council. Organizations like these provide opportunities to begin collaborating with your MD peers who are interested in moving the field of hematology forward.
- If you are interested in an academic position, approach professors about teaching opportunities. Many classes are team-taught and you may be able to teach a lecture on your particular research area.
- Start thinking about your next job. It is essential to ensure that you have rudimentary experience in every aspect of the job you are applying for (or can address a perceived weakness during an interview). As you gain more experience you will naturally apply for increasingly competitive jobs. Not every application will generate interest, so it is important to have up to an extra yearbuilt into your job search.
Stages:Early Predoctoral (Year 1-2) Training Late Doctoral (Year 3-5) Training Postdoctoral Training
back to top
