EVALUATE A POSTDOC CAREFULLY, particularly if you are in the sciences. You should think of a postdoc in cold, hard economic terms. It is an investment (or speculation, depending on your point of view) just like buying stocks or real estate. You will certainly be paid less than if you took a teaching position, but you may gain additional knowledge and experience to make more money in the long run in your chosen field. The anticipated benefits must exceed the short-run costs to make the investment worthwhile. A postdoc is appropriate under the following conditions:
You are in a field where jobs at good places are scarce and you delayed too long in starting your job search. You feel you need to gain specific research tools (or, if a scientist, experience with specialized equipment) to be able to move your research past your PhD dissertation. You want to work with a specific individual who will further your growth. You want to build up your publication list without using up your seven-year tenure clock. A postdoc is not appropriate if you are afraid of teaching or talking in front of people. You are merely delaying the inevitable. A postdoc is also not appropriate if you lived on a shoestring for years and/or support a family.
Leave a reply