Tips to select a lab and project for your postdoctoral research
1. Select a research area that excites you
A postdoctoral position should allow you to maximize your gain in knowledge and experience. New areas of science emerge and become highly attractive. Getting involved in an area early on has advantages, since you will be more easily recognized. Consider a laboratory and mentor that have a track record in pioneering new areas. Discuss the position with your proposed mentor, review the literature on the proposed project, and consult with others to get a balanced view. Try to avoid strictly continuing the work you did in graduate school. Think very carefully before extending your graduate work into a postdoc in the same laboratory where you are at.
2. Have a backup plan for your main research project
Do not be afraid to take risks, high risk is high gain, although keep in mind that pursuing a risky project will not always lead to publishable results. Thus, make sure to have a backup plan. Consider working on more than one project: one to which you devote most of your time and energy and a second project that is more straight forward and likely to generate good (if not exciting) results no matter what happens.
3. Choose a project with tangible outcomes that match your career goals
The most tangible outcomes of your postdoc are high quality publications. When considering a hosting laboratory you should consider: does the laboratory have a track record in producing such publications? Is your future mentor well-respected and recognized by the community?
4. Select a laboratory that suits your work and lifestyle
If at all possible, visit the laboratory physically before making a decision. Try not to decide based on zoom only. Laboratories vary widely in scope and size; it is highly recommended to talk with the graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the laboratory and determine the work style of the laboratory. Make sure that the location of the laboratory and the surrounding environment are suitable for you and your family.
5. Strive to get your own funding
Entering a position with a fellowship gives you a level of independence and an important “extra line to your resume”.
See list of available fellowships for postdoc abroad. Applying for a fellowship requires to plan a long time in advance. The major postdoctoral fellowships have a strict deadline and several require an acceptance letter from your supervisor prior to submission of your application.
In addition to the major postdoctoral fellowship there are many specific fellowships that can be applied in the country you are conducting your postdoc. Make sure to check with your mentor or hosting institute for postdoctoral fellowship opportunities.
