Introduction to the employment situation of postdoctoral international students studying in the United States

Postdoctoral fellows in the United States generally work full-time in research. Forty hours per week required. The average annual salary is about $40,000. Postdoc salaries range from $30,000 to $50,000. At the same time, the employer provides health insurance and other benefits. Based on this calculation, the salary of a postdoctoral fellow can basically guarantee a well-off level for a family of three or four people. In addition to living expenses, housing expenses, car maintenance, etc., there should be a slight balance every year.

In the United States, there are more postdoctoral positions in some research-intensive majors (such as science, engineering, and medicine). And the pay is good. Being a postdoc seems to have become a necessary transition path to becoming a full-time professor or researcher. Generally speaking, with the friendly relations between China and the United States in recent years and the frequent international academic exchange activities, more and more Chinese students are applying for postdoctoral positions in the United States. There are many reasons. First, the scientific research environment is good. For applicants, they hope to have a better platform to conduct academic research. The good scientific research environment and atmosphere abroad are far beyond the reach of many domestic research institutions. Second, advanced instruments and equipment and leading research results. As we all know, the United States leads the world in many fields of biology and medicine. For Chinese students who can join such a team, their articles and research results will also be significantly improved. improvement. Third, this is also a good way for students who have the tendency to immigrate in the future. When Chinese students come to the United States to do postdoctoral work, they get a J-1 visa, which is easier to get approved by the consulate. After working for one to two years, you can apply to waive the J-1 visa requirement of returning to your home country to serve, convert it to a work visa (H-1), and then apply for a green card. The typical postdoctoral work period is one to two years. After completing one postdoc, you can apply for a second or even third postdoc job. However, the total period for a person to do postdoctoral work is generally about five years.