What is the final destination of postdoctoral fellows in many basic disciplines in the United States?

A postdoctoral fellow in chemistry introduced himself.

I got my doctorate in England, where I worked as a postdoctoral fellow for two years, and then immigrated to Australia to continue my scientific research.

First of all, from the academic level, there are undergraduate, master and doctor. After the doctor graduated, the student's career was completely over. Generally speaking, a doctor is the highest degree a student can get. I can't go to school anymore. It's over.

After graduating from the doctor's degree, postdoctoral fellows continued to engage in scientific research in a research group. This is not the same as a doctorate. There is no time limit of 3-5 years. It can be 1 year or n years, depending on the research plan.

Secondly, in terms of identity, doctors are still students, but postdocs are staff. If there is no scholarship, doctoral students will have to pay tuition fees, but postdoctoral students will be paid every month, and they will also have to pay taxes and social security.

Thirdly, postdoctoral students are more independent than doctoral students in working methods. Have their own research funds and topics. Although I have to discuss some contents with the big boss, I have more independent flexibility than doctoral students. Doctoral students, like masters, need the guidance of tutors more.

So why do some people want to be postdocs after graduating from Ph.D.? Because the demand for future jobs is different. For example, if a doctor wants to enter the company after graduation, he will leave the campus directly to work when he gets his diploma. But if you major in science and engineering and want to be a teacher in the R&D department of a company or university in the future, postdoctoral experience is basically necessary. The postdoctoral experience in recent years is more like the primary training for future scientific research.

I have discussed it with many postdoctoral fellows and professors around me. What kind of person can be called a scientist? It is generally believed that after the doctor graduated, he achieved good results in the post-doctoral stage, and with his own independent research fund, he can be called a scientist.

A doctor is the highest degree, not a degree. Only by obtaining a doctorate can you have a doctorate. Many people with doctorates don't. Some people with doctorates don't. Postdoctoral work generally refers to two years of research work in a postdoctoral research center after obtaining a doctorate and postdoctoral work experience. Postdoctoral students sometimes refer to the highest academic qualifications in China.

What do you want to say after reading it?