Although postdoctoral researchers are highly trained, having spent years building their set of competencies, the path to academic independence is highly – and increasingly – competitive, and often opaque. Many of these ‘’early-career’’ researchers ultimately leave academia altogether, not by preference, but due to structural barriers that hinder sustainable career development. These challenges, while experienced individually, are systemic in nature and have significant implications for the research community as a whole.
This short course aims to initiate a frank and constructive discussion on the conditions faced by postdoctoral researchers across geosciences. We will present recent data and findings from surveys specifically targeting the postdoctoral community, providing an evidence-based overview of the postdocs’ situation.
In addition to disseminating empirical data, the session will foster dialogue around re-envisioning the postdoctoral experience. What structural changes are necessary to improve the postdoc phase? What kinds of institutional or community support could help mitigate the existing challenges? How might funding agencies and universities contribute to a healthier and more equitable academic ecosystem?
The short course will include scene-setting presentations to initiate an interactive session with questions, comments, and collective discussion. We encourage the participation of not only postdocs, but also PhD students and senior researchers interested in improving the sustainability and inclusivity of academic careers.
This short course will be structured around two stage-setting presentations followed by an open discussion with the participants.
The first presentation, entitled Space Physics Postdoc Survey: One Revolution Around the Sun, will be given by Konstantinos Horaites (CIRES, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA) and will introduce the results of the recent survey focusing on the conditions, challenges, and career prospects of postdoctoral researchers.
The second presentation, entitled State of the Early Career Profession in Space Physics and Aeronomy: Climatological Survey Results will be given by Robert Allen (Southwest Research Institute, USA), representing the AGU Space Physics and Aeronomy (SPA) Early Career Leadership Advisory Committee (EC-LAC).
The two presentations will offer complementary perspectives on the state of non-permanent and early-career profession in space physics.
The second part of the short course will be devoted to open discussion. We hope to use the survey results as a starting point for a broader exchange on structural challenges in the postdoctoral phase, possible institutional and community-level improvements, and ways to make academic career paths more sustainable and inclusive.
We warmly encourage participation from postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and senior scientists interested in contributing to this discussion.