Postdoctoral researchers are essential contributors to scientific advancement. They drive innovation, supervise students, support teaching, and perform academic service. Despite their central role, postdocs remain in a structurally precarious stage of the academic trajectory, often characterised by short-term contracts, geographic mobility, changes of research topic, and uncertain long-term career prospects.

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 particular, building on a survey conducted within the space physics community, we will present an in-depth analysis of postdoctoral experiences, including the use of methods such as Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify distinct profiles and patterns emerging from postdocs’ experiences and working situations.

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 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.