ASU Postdoc Office will launch Inaugural Career Conference, May 22

The majority of postdoctoral scholars are working toward securing a tenure-track faculty position at a research university. However, according to ASU professor Christopher Hayter, fewer than 15% of postdocs will secure this type of employment (Hayter and Parker 2018). Sauermann and Roach (2016) tracked life science and biological science postdocs and discovered that only 11% found faculty positions within 5 years.

“We have to look at the numbers,” said Dean Alfredo Artiles. “It’s very important that we, as faculty, consider that most of our Ph.D. students and postdocs will not be able to follow in our footsteps as tenure-track faculty. We have to prepare them to take on roles in industry and innovation where those jobs exist and where their talents are needed.”

One way the Graduate College is addressing this concern is with a one-day professional development conference for all postdocs, research scientists and final-year Ph.D. students, to be held May 22 on Tempe campus. The purpose of the conference is to reveal and explain hiring processes across all sectors and to expose postdocs to a wider range of career options.

The Postdoc Career Conference will include workshops, speakers and panel sessions on how postdocs can be successful in making their next career move, whether it be in academia, industry, or in entrepreneurial ventures.

If you are a faculty member or researcher at ASU that employs postdocs, we ask that you encourage and support your postdocs’ attendance at this event. The conference takes place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22 in the Ventana Ballroom in the Tempe Memorial Union. Details and the registration link can be found at http://graduate.asu.edu/postdoc-career-conference.  

And if you would like to participate in the event as a mentor, speaker or panelist, please email Wiley Larsen ([email protected]) and let him know you would like to participate.