Postdocs: Surveys on Professional Development and Mentoring
As an avid fan of collecting and analyzing data, I’m always keen to share survey efforts to gather information about such understudied groups as the postdoc. So, here I’m highlighting two current surveys, one of which I’m directly involved with, for anyone who is or has done a STEM postdoc; is interested in postdoc professional development; and/or is a current/recent postdoc or current/recent faculty supervisor of a postdoc in engineering and computer science-related disciplines.
Understanding Perceptions of Postdoctoral Professional Development (UP3D)
The first survey is for STEM postdocs, or people who work with STEM postdocs. I am part of a collaborative effort collecting information about perceptions and experiences of postdocs about professional development and mentoring support during their postdoc tenure. We will use the information we are gathering to identify gaps in the support that postdocs receive in order to transition successfully to an academic career. It will provide much needed insight on the impact of postdoc professional development which is currently lacking.
The survey can be found at
https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bBJH8sWmd6D6Vq5
It takes only a few minutes to fill out, and has been approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Recruitment for NSF Study on Postdoctoral Mentorship
Some colleagues have been awarded an NSF grant to study postdoctoral education and mentoring in engineering and computer science-related disciplines from both the postdoc and the faculty points of view. They are recruiting current/recent postdocs, or current/recent faculty supervisors of postdocs. You can find out more information here.
This research is conducted through a brief survey, followed by an optional potential interview conducted via Zoom, during which they will ask your perceptions on postdoctoral education and expectations for the professional development of postdoctoral scholars in engineering and computer science disciplines. If you are willing to participate in the study, please follow the survey link.