Postdoctoral Fellows

 

Postdoctoral Fellows are valued members of the university community.

As a postdoctoral fellow, you will be able to broaden your research expertise, build associations with established researchers and strengthen your publication record, thereby enhancing your future employment opportunities. You have the opportunity to make significant contributions to your chosen field, the University, faculty researchers and graduate students.

You will have completed a doctoral degree, normally within the previous four years, and you are planning to undertake additional advanced research at Simon Fraser University. You will be working in association with one or more SFU faculty members for a limited period of time, usually one to three years.

 

Experienced postdocs and advisors suggest the following questions be asked of (and about) a prospective advisor:

  • What are the advisor's expectations of the postdoc?
  • Will the advisor or the postdoc determine the research program?
  • How many postdocs has this advisor had? Where did they go afterward?
  • What do current and past lab members think about their experience?
  • Will the advisor have time for mentoring? Or should I seek out other mentors?
  • How many others (grad students, staff, postdocs) now work for this advisor?
  • How many papers are being published? Where?
  • What is the advisor's policy on travel to meetings? Authorship? Ownership of ideas?
  • Will I have practice in grant writing? Teaching/mentoring? Oral presentations? Review of manuscripts?
  • Can I expect to take part of the project away after the postdoc?
  • How long is financial support guaranteed? On what does renewal depend?
  • Can I count on help in finding a position?
  • Will the advisor have adequate research funds to support the proposed research?

Source: Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineers

 

SFU Resources for Postdoctoral Fellows

 

External Resources for Postdoctoral Fellows