Postdoctoral researcher
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A postdoctoral (colloquially, "post-doc") appointment is a usually temporary job held by a person who has completed his or her doctoral studies. Postdoctoral appointments commonly last for periods ranging between six months and five years, and are usually research-oriented. The appointee is usually given the title of research associate or fellow.
Before entering certain fields, a post-doc appointment may be a necessary step in order to gain greater knowledge and experience, make connections, and build a name for oneself in research circles. It may also be seen as a valuable tool to distinguish oneself from other candidates when entering the job market. Such appointments are often the "stepping stone" whereby a graduate student can improve his or her publication record and hence progress to a permanent position.
In many academic fields, post-doctoral appointments — traditionally optional — have become mandatory as tenure-track positions are simply unavailable for those who have not completed post-doctoral or adjunct positions. Without post-doctoral experience, most fresh doctorates lack the connections and prominence needed to secure a better academic job.
As the doctorate degree is, by definition, the highest awarded in a field, no degree is given at the completion of a post-doctorate position. Some postdoctorate positions share more in common with low-paid adjunct jobs than continuing education. In some fields in some countries there are so many graduates that post-doctoral work is almost necessary. Sometimes academics take second and even third post-doctoral positions.ja:ポストドクター