4. Postdoctoral Training
Table 4a - Profile of Postdoctoral Trainees
The average number of postdoctoral trainees (~8) per Neuroscience program in the 2000 survey is within the range (8-12) seen in each of the previous surveys. [Survey question #23.] Most of the trainees (78%) have only a Ph.D. degree, as has been observed since 1986. In contrast, relatively few trainees have an M.D. degree, whether as their sole degree or in addition to a Ph.D. degree (~10% each); note that the number of trainees with only a M.D. degree is now much less than was observed in the 1986 and 1991 surveys.
| Survey Year | 86 | 91 | 98 | 00* |
| Percent of Total | ||||
| Ph.D. | 78 | 63 | 88 | 78 |
| M.D. | 18 | 25 | 5 | 8 |
| M.D./Ph.D. | 4 | 12 | 6 | 12 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
* Survey question #22
Women constituted only 40% of this population in AY1999-2000, somewhat less than their representation in graduate programs in Neuroscience. In contrast, more than half (55%) of the postdoctoral trainees were not U.S. citizens, almost three-times their representation as predoctoral trainees and progressively more than were observed in the 1991
and 1998 surveys (40%, 49%, respectively). Among that population, the largest portions are from Asia (50%) and Europe (37%). [Survey question #23.]
Table 4b - Placement from Postdoctoral Position
When postdoctoral trainees leave, most likely they either take a faculty position (38%) or pursue additional training in another postdoctoral position (35%). This outcome, seen also in the 1998 survey, may be contrasted with the results of the 1991 survey, which indicated that postdoctoral trainees typically left to accept faculty positions. As in previous years, very few postdoctoral trainees left to take employment outside of Neuroscience (2%) or were not employed (1%). This pattern of placements was
similar for U.S. citizens and non-US citizens. (Data not obtained in 1986 survey.)
| Survey Year | 91 | 98 | 00* |
| Percent of Total | |||
| Another postdoctoral position | 21 | 30 | 35 |
| Medical School | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Faculty position | 45 | 28 | 38 |
| Industry | 14 | 4 | 11 |
| Other | 14 | 29 | 8 |
| Employed outside the field | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Currently unemployed | 1 | 6 | 1 |
* Survey question #24
| Prog. Characteristics | Faculty | Grad. Education | Postdoc. Training | Diversity | Financial Support | Undergrad. Education | Summary | Conclusions | Report Home | ANDP Home |
February 22, 2007
Copyright © 2001 Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs, Bethesda, MD