Recent data from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has unveiled a troubling trend: a notable decrease in the number of U.S. citizens pursuing postdoctoral positions, particularly in the biological and biomedical sciences. This decline has raised alarms within the academic community, highlighting fears of a looming shortage of postdocs and a growing preference among early-career scientists for better-compensated roles outside of academia.
Tom Kimbis, Executive Director and CEO of the National Postdoctoral Association, expresses concern over the situation, emphasizing the potential negative impact on the nation if domestic researchers continue to overlook postdoctoral opportunities in favor of positions in government or industry.
The data, sourced from NSF's Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering, reveal a 1% decrease in the total number of postdocs employed at U.S. institutions from 2021 to 2022. However, the most significant decline, amounting to 8%, is observed among U.S. citizens and permanent residents, marking the largest year-to-year percentage drop in the survey's history.
The decline is particularly pronounced in the biological and biomedical sciences, with a 3% decrease in total postdocs and a striking 10% decrease among U.S. citizens and permanent residents. While the exact reasons behind these trends remain unclear, they coincide with a surge in hiring within biotech companies, suggesting a potential shift in career preferences among Ph.D. graduates.
Donna Ginther, a professor of economics at the University of Kansas, acknowledges the significant trend in biomedicine, attributing it to the allure of higher starting salaries in the industry for Ph.D. graduates.
Gary McDowell, CEO of Lightoller LLC, emphasizes that Americans may be less inclined to accept conditions common in postdoc positions compared to foreign counterparts. However, McDowell cautions that variations in data collection methods across universities may affect the accuracy of the reported numbers.
In response to the concerning data, Kimbis urges funding agencies and institutions to consider measures to enhance the attractiveness of postdoc positions. While an advisory group to the U.S. National Institutes of Health has proposed recommendations for improving postdoc support, including salary increases and enhanced benefits, implementation details remain unclear.
Addressing these issues, Kimbis emphasizes the importance of implementing changes that address the root causes of declining postdoc numbers, with hopes for positive strides in the near future.
