The road of a postdoc and practical tips
In Wikipedia is reported how "...the ultimate goal of a postdoctoral research position is to pursue additional research, training, or teaching in order to have better skills to pursue a career in academia, research, or any other fields...". Although the first part of the sentence is true, the seconds part could result ironic to the majority of people experiencing the postdoc life.
As shown in the image below, the path to land your academic permanent job is more perilous than someone could imagine at the beginning. In this post I'll try to cover all the points that I think are important for a postdoc life and that should be know.
First of all, especially if you are a PhD, it is OK if you do not know if you want an academic job or not and you want to try out a postdoc experience before deciding. However, after that you should consider what you really want to do. There are several PROS in being an academic (yes, I am talking about the final goal but this sometimes can be true even for the postdoc), as for example have a flexible work and indulgent (you are the boss). In addition it is a relatively safe job with reasonable pay, you will have cool travels and get to tell people you are a “physicist”! Of course there are also CONS in that like the fact that pay is not great (yes, with your set of skills you could get better, even a lot better) and it is hard to find work (not so many universities). Furthermore, it is a global market, so you will need to move to the jobs (which is a consequence of the system could be around the world).
If you have already made up your mind, good, you have already made the first important step. In general, you can divide postdocs in two categories:
1. Junior (that usually means your position will be funded by some project won by the guy advertising it, see next post in the blog)
2. Senior (you have already done your first postdoc or you are now entering the third-fourth year of postdoc, see the post Hitchhiker's guide to fellowships in academia for a list of some fellowships)
For all of this there are always websites were you can gather information. Since I am an astronomer I do know those related to my field, but the drill is the same for each physics area. Some useful links are http://www.jobs.ac.uk/ (UK), http://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs (US) or AstroBetter and ParticlePhysics. However, do not apply for any job you seriously would not take!!
Despite postdocs are an important backbone of the science made by a group (usually are those who produce the most and supervise PhD students when the main supervisor is busy), it is undeniable how it is a tough job, especially because there are a lot of them and the quality is very high, while the permanent positions are few! There are several nice reading in the web (my suggestion is the postdoc series of nature news) but the majority will give you a blunt, sadly true, number....3-5% of PhDs find an academic permanent appointment (and that, as a consequence, means also postdocs).
GENERAL TIPS
We could discuss hours about the issues (and there are many) and the PhD factory, but this post is not on that.
There is always something you could do to improve yourself and increase your chances. First of all, NETWORK, this is essential, sometimes even more than your papers, go around and present your work, talk to people, seek out criticism but be ready to defend your work!!
APPLICATION TIPS
Second of all, you should try to tick all these boxes. Publications: probably at least one to two first author (1st postdoc) to many (Fellowship). In addition, it is always good to see co-authorship in works of other people (easier for experimental/observers rather than theoreticians). Good references: pick wisely from your pool of possible referee. You need those people that are the most likely to write good things and it would not harm to see a diversity (local, national, international). Big names help but only if they will write good stuff! Talks and conferences (network, that has to be your mantra). Let your experience to stand out in form of skills. Outreach is always good since is finally getting more importance and show that you are interested in share with the people your interest in the field. Last one is, of course, the more obvious one, a good research statement. This has to be balanced between context, previous achievements, projects and medium to long term plan.
INTERVIEW TIPS
What if you already did what reported in the previous paragraph and a job interview lies ahead?
First of all congratulation, now it is your time to shine and stand out among all top level candidates. Here another set of tips for a good interview that I have collected from several people I have had the pleasure to meet during my postdoc career.
First of all, be prepared and read over and over your application (possibly you sent it more than two month ago and you forgot about it).
Read the institute/fellowship website and know who is on the interview panel; flattery will get you far (but not go overboard)!
Of course be ready for questions (you should already be ready for science questions) that are usually asked like: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What interests you in science? How would you fit into University/Position A/B? If we offer you this job would you accept it? (yes, last happened too).
In general be confident but not cocky and dress smartly (not necessarily a formal tailleur or a suit). In addition, look at the people and smile, positiveness has always an impact and do not be flippant!
On the downside of this experience there are some few factors you cannot control like have someone in the panel that knows you or that has come across your work (this is usually called a "champion") that could help in defending you and pushing you to the top of the final list.
At the end they will always ask if you have question, you MUST have at least one! That means you are engaged with them and you really want to work with them at the best of your possibility. possible questions could be: What happens to most of your postdocs? Would I have a PhD (in case of a fellowship or permanent position)? What are you ideas/plan to join this new project/instrumentation (that shows you are already planning ahead)
At this point I hope you should have the basic or at least feel a little bit of relief because you are already doing and you are aware of what written ahead. That leaves only one more thing... GOOD LUCK with everything (yes, because you will always need that)!!!