Towards Independence

At ORDE, we've noticed when conducting fund searches for Postdoctoral Fellows that it can be difficult for them to pin down their own research. Oftentimes Postdocs will give us a synthesis of their PI's research and projects and what they're doing on those projects. Yet, usually Postdocs aren't looking for additional funding for their PIs lab, they're looking for their own independent funding that will allow them to take their next step toward being an independent researcher.

In service of this oft-seen conundrum, I wanted to offer this blog for Postdocs and other early career investigators on things to remember as you move toward independence in your research.

Build your skills
Key to becoming an independent researcher is to secure funding as a PI, yet you won't be able to do this if you haven't learned and demonstrated the skills you need to successfully carry out a project. So, use your postdoc experience to build your lab management skills. Ask your mentor if you can supervise graduate students in the lab, for example. Also, ask if you can help your mentor write grant proposals with them, to hone your skills for when it's time to write your own proposal.

Find your niche
As you conduct research with your PI, continue to develop your own ideas, trajectories, and plans. There is no point in trying to clone your mentor with yourself. Consider how you can build on the work you've done in your postdoctoral fellowship to create your own research agenda, ready to go when the time comes.

Work with your mentor
Be sure to have early and frequent conversations with your mentor/PI. While you don't want to walk into your postdoctoral fellowship saying your main goal is to develop your own work, you do want your mentor to understand your goals ultimately and to solicit their support. Continue to have these conversations, particularly as you prove yourself to your mentor. As you achieve things in your postdoc, ask your mentor for space or resources to start building your own projects, and ask for their support and advice in grooming you to be an independent investigator.

Build your brand
Although it's tempting to just put your head down and do great work in your postdoc, don't forget that now is the time to be networking and building a name for yourself. Present research at conferences and seek out Program Officers and other potential mentors. Collaborate with colleagues. As you discover your research niche, make sure you're doing all you can to let folks in your area know who you are and the kind of research you're doing/going to do.

These strategies can help you to build a bridge between your postdoc and the next leg of your career as an independent researcher.

Resources:
4 Steps to Independence as Postdocs
Postdocs' Guide to Gaining Independence - NIAID