鶹ýɫƬ

President's Message

Thank you, postdocs

Ann Stock
Sept. 1, 2022

This month, from Sept. 19 to 23, universities around the country will celebrate the 13th annual — an event established in 2009 by the National Postdoctoral Association to recognize the contributions of postdoctoral scholars.

Postdocs are a powerful force in the academic research enterprise. They deserve recognition for their many contributions — as researchers, as mentors of junior lab members and, importantly, as the next generation of scientific leaders.

I look back fondly on my postdoc as the best years of my scientific career. I was immersed in exciting research that I had chosen in a lab headed by a fantastic mentor and powered by incredible lab mates, many of whom remain in touch after more than 30 years. I was able to capitalize on the experimental skills I had honed as a grad student, learn new techniques and focus on research without the distractions of funding, budgeting and personnel management. It was indeed a special time.

Before slipping too far into rosy retrospection, I must admit that the freedoms and opportunities that make these years so enjoyable also can create challenges and anxiety. Postdoctoral training has no specific requirements or quantitative metrics of success. It lacks the matriculation date and structured social network created by a graduate class. There is neither a clearly defined end point nor a single path forward. In positions that fall between student status and permanent employment, postdocs often face uncertainties and inequities.

Fortunately, postdoctoral fellows need not face these challenges in isolation. The 鶹ýɫƬ and 鶹ýɫƬ Biology offers many activities to engage our community of postdocs. Here’s how you can get involved. And each year, we celebrate National Postdoc Appreciation Week on our social media channels with the hashtag !

In closing, to all our current postdocs:

We look forward to celebrating with you! We appreciate you not only this week but every week. Revel in our appreciation of all you do, and take a moment to reflect on the freedom and opportunities you have now. A research career is a continuum — as you look toward your next destination, don’t forget to enjoy the journey!

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition weekly.

Learn more
Ann Stock

Ann Stock is a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers and resident faculty member at the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine. She became the ASBMB’s president in July 2022.

Related articles

Upcoming opportunities
ASBMB Today Staff
Upcoming opportunities
ASBMB Today Staff
Upcoming opportunities
ASBMB Today Staff
Upcoming opportunities
ASBMB Today Staff

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in Opinions

Opinions highlights or most popular articles

Where do we search for the fundamental stuff of life?
Essay

Where do we search for the fundamental stuff of life?

Dec. 1, 2024

Recent books by Thomas Cech and Sara Imari Walker offer two perspectives on where to look for the basic properties that define living things.

Scientists around the world report millions of new discoveries every year
Essay

Scientists around the world report millions of new discoveries every year

Nov. 24, 2024

Science is a collaborative endeavor, and international teams have contributed to a huge rise in scientific output.

Who decides when a grad student graduates?
Training

Who decides when a grad student graduates?

Nov. 15, 2024

Ph.D. programs often don’t have a set timeline. Students continue with their research until their thesis is done, which is where variability comes into play.

Redefining ‘what’s possible’ at the annual meeting
President's Message

Redefining ‘what’s possible’ at the annual meeting

Nov. 1, 2024

The ASBMB Annual Meeting is “a high-impact event — a worthwhile investment for all who are dedicated to advancing the field of biochemistry and molecular biology and their careers.”

鶹ýɫƬ impressions of water as cuneiform cascade*
Essay

鶹ýɫƬ impressions of water as cuneiform cascade*

Oct. 31, 2024

Inspired by "the most elegant depiction of H2O’s colligative features," Thomas Gorrell created a seven-tiered visual cascade of Sumerian characters beginning with the ancient sign for water.

Water rescues the enzyme
Essay

Water rescues the enzyme

Oct. 31, 2024

“Sometimes you must bend the rules to get what you want.” In the case of using water in the purification of calpain-2, it was worth the risk.