Rise of the Science and Engineering Postdoctorate and the Restructuring of Academic Research

Abstract

Since the 1980s the number of postdocs employed at U.S. research universities has increased dramatically as has the importance of postdocs to academic research. Growth in postdoc employment has coincided with increased dependence on external research funds. Using panel regression analysis, this article explores the organizational characteristics associated with the tendency to employ postdocs and the relationship between postdoc employment and dependence on external research funds.