‘Should I do a postdoc?’ – this question comes up in many conversations I have with PhD students approaching the end of their contract. It’s understandable: many PhD graduates remain unsure about their next step, don’t know what a postdoc can bring them, wonder whether they need to go abroad for a postdoc, and doubt whether it could be considered a negative move for a career in industry. There’s also a growing trend online of dismissing postdoc fellowships, highlighting the low salaries and bad working conditions of postdocs in some countries.

My postdoc at Leiden University Medical Center was one of the nicest periods of my career. I had my own grant, worked with different clinical partners, built a lot of new skills, extended my network, made friends, and grew immensely on both a professional and personal side. Although the last weeks were very challenging as I struggled to find a new job, I would choose the same path in a heartbeat.

So how can you know whether a postdoc is for you?

Why do a postdoc?

Doing a postdoc means getting much more freedom in choosing research topics compared to the structured nature of PhD studies. This is especially true if you bring your own grant money – in theory, no one can tell you what to do! It’s a great moment in your career: you are expert in the field of your PhD and can share this knowledge with your colleagues, but at the same time you’ll learn something totally new.

A postdoc also offers a unique opportunity to enhance your research skills while experimenting with new methodologies. It brings not only additional technical skills, but also relevant soft skills, such as leadership and project management, while consolidating those acquired during a PhD.

Finally, a postdoc fellowship is often conducted in a different laboratory and – ideally – country than where you completed your PhD. You’ll be pushed out of your comfort zone but you won’t regret it. The new connections you’ll make can lead to collaborative research projects, job opportunities, and valuable mentorship.

What to consider before committing to a postdoc

It’s not a secret that postdoctoral positions are characterized by their contractual nature (1-3 years), typically lacking long-term employment stability. This uncertainty can be hard for those seeking stability. Moreover, postdoc salaries are generally lower compared to industry roles. The salary also strongly depends on the type of funding, host country and host institute.

A postdoc fellowship is usually required for an academic career, but there will be a limited number of academic positions available (assistant professor and beyond). This saturation means that even highly qualified postdocs may find it challenging to find a position in academia, leading to uncertainty and frustration.

Finally, time spent in a postdoc means time not spent on developing industry-relevant skills. This so-called opportunity cost is a crucial factor to consider, certainly for those who aren’t considering an academic career and want to move to the private sector afterwards.

Industry postdocs

Not all postdocs happen at universities – some companies also offer postdoctoral positions, particularly in pharma, biotech, and R&D heavy industries. These typically offer higher salaries than in academia and more industry-relevant experience while allowing you to develop research skills. They represent an interesting transition step for those pivoting to industry after their PhD. However, they’re less common.

Making your decision

If your dream is an academic career, then pursuing a postdoc is the next logical step. If you’re leaning towards a career outside academia, then carefully weigh the pros and cons, which depend on various factors: your host country, funding, institute, research field, and supervisor. There are significant differences between countries, also within Europe, which will impact your overall experience.

Start with preparations early on – if applying for a grant is necessary, begin at least 12 months before your PhD concludes. And don’t wait until the end of your postdoc to start planning your next move.

A postdoc can be an incredibly valuable experience if thoughtfully considered. The key is being strategic about it rather than just following what seems like the expected next step.

Your postdoc shouldn’t be something that just happens – it should be a deliberate choice that fits your specific goals, whether those include staying in academia or eventually moving elsewhere.