What is a postdoc and how to become one

For undergraduates: Know as much as you can about microbiology and immunology. Have some breadth in other non-science areas. I have spoken with many CEOs of large and small companies. They want folks who communicate well. A lot of us tend to be science nerds and are most comfortable in the laboratory. However, be a closet nerd and extend yourself. I took almost every sciences course offered in physical (even geology and paleobotany) and biological sciences when I was a student here. I also took a year of philosophy and another year of anthropology. In other words, know your field and adjacent fields well, but be broad in your knowledge and speak well with people.

For graduate students: Know as much as you can about M&I and adjacent fields like biochemistry. I took multiple courses in every subdiscipline of M&I; I took multiple biochemistry, cell physiology, and biostatistics. My Ph.D. was in innate immunity when it was not popular. I described the first defensin 20 years before the name came up. Do the best science you can in doing your thesis. Knowing techniques and what is behind them is critical. This will then allow you to apply for and obtain the best postdoctoral position. It is unusual for folks these days not to do a postdoc. I applied for five postdoc positions, and I was offered a spot in all of them. I think that is because I had ten papers published as a graduate student. I applied only to places where I had the most excellent chance to work in an area of breadth. This means I could explore M&I in multiple projects without impinging on other folks' projects. I published 23 papers as a postdoctoral associate in three years. The best postdoc in my laboratory did the same thing. My philosophy is that a postdoc can work on anything that I am funded to do that the graduate student is not currently doing. In other words, avoid a lab with 30 graduate students and postdocs! Find the lab with the best chance to use what you already know and expand your training. I was also lucky to direct two research technicians and two graduate students while I was a postdoc. With this, find a mentor where you currently are, maybe your Ph.D. advisor, but perhaps not, who can assist you in contacts and writing letters for application. Know well the area you are applying for.

For postdocs: You will need first to decide if you want an industry, small college, or significant University. If you wish to a small college, be able to teach exceptionally well. Get as much experience as you can in teaching both as a graduate student and postdoc. I have won many teaching awards, even as a significant university faculty member. I found the time both as a graduate student and postdoc to be able to give lectures. I did the same with my senior graduate students and postdocs. One of my graduate students is now the chair of the science department at a small college. They had to make her an associate professor so she could be the chair of the department. She asked if she could give lectures; I had her giving three classes to medical students for two years. She was evaluated and rated highly. This was critical to her career advancement. For future faculty at major universities, publications and areas are crucial. Not every publication needs to be in Nature or Science. I have an H-index of 100 as of today. Many of my highest impact papers are in non-highest impact journals. You will want some high impact, but you also need quality numbers. You will want to be able to take a project with you when you leave the postdoc position.
I took toxic shock syndrome with me. The area is critical today. In M&I, the significant NIH funding is in immunology and virology, and much less so bacteriology. Mycology and parasitology are becoming more acute. Remember that all areas of M&I need superb-quality faculty, just not so many in non-medical areas. Having a strong immunology background and medical bacteriology/virology background can help you get a job. Your first interview for a faculty position is likely to be rough, so get it done as well as you can. This will tell you what you need to do for the next interviews. Have a trusted, high-quality mentor. When I applied for faculty positions, I already had a grant application in hand. If you have the chance, apply for new investigator grants or be ready to. For those of you going into the industry, you need contacts. I have started three biopharma companies, and I have worked with huge companies my whole life (J&J; P&G as examples). You need to know folks who know company people or need a strong mentor with that slant to help you. I am the reason many folks have been hired by companies, and the postdocs, whether in my lab or not, took the time for me to get to know them well. Above all, remember that old-faculty may have the most important contacts in this regard.

Today, one of the most significant stressors for graduate students and postdoctoral associates is what is available for the spouse. For this reason, large cities are better suited where there are more opportunities. Additionally, job candidates may be separated from the spouse for a time, months to years. When I became a faculty member, it was at UCLA. It was easy for my spouse to find a job. There will be sacrifices that need to be made to accommodate both. You will, at some point, want to discuss this with your mentor or future employer.