The postdoc
position is more useful now than ever before. We live within the information
age and not only does this require agility and familiarity with technology from
the young, but also wisdom from the old. When emerging scientists are allowed
the opportunity to research and communicate findings without the fear of being
judged as mere novices, some of the crevices that usually retard progress are
easily hurdled. Given the right guidance, attention, and support, postdocs will
continue to contribute substantially in widening the ambit of scientific
breakthroughs. In most occasions the postdoc fellowships introduce diversity
and allow the sharing of expertise among scientific communities. In some cases
this also lets even the experienced scientists contribute across the scientific
landscape wherever opportunity calls for attention. Postdoc positions would
very much improve if not treated as mere internships required by the
organizational structure of research groups, but respected as one of the
platforms that fuel the livelihood of science.
Science 3 July 2015: vol. 349 no. 6243 pp. 24-27
DOI: 10.1126/science.349.6243.24
DOI: 10.1126/science.349.6243.24
