The amount of data available on postdoctoral scholars in science and engineering is quite limited compared to that available for graduate students. For example, the number of graduate students funded by agency and funding mechanisms is known (such as how many graduate students are supported by NIH via both fellowships and research grants), but the same is not true for postdoctoral scholars.
Provided in this appendix is all the available quantitative data COSEPUP was able to locate on postdoctoral scholars. The data provided here in tables is also illustrated in figures throughout the text.
The surveys, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which serve as the basis for the tables and figures in the text are the:
Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), which is a census of all doctorates awarded by US educational institutions;
Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR), which is a biennial sample survey drawn from the SED;
Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering, which is an annual survey of the academic departments of all post-baccalaureate institutions.
Note that the use of NSF data does not imply NSF endorsement of the research methods or conclusions contained in this report.
Below are the first 10 and last 10 pages of uncorrected machine-read text (when available) of this chapter, followed by the top 30 algorithmically extracted key phrases from the chapter as a whole.
Intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text on the opening pages of each chapter.
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ENHANCING THE POSTDOCTORAL EXPERIENCE FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS: A Guide for Postdoctoral Scholars, Advisers, Institutions, Funding Organizations, and Disciplinary Societies
Appendix B
Analysis of Quantitative Data on Postdocs
The amount of data available on postdoctoral scholars in science and engineering is quite limited compared to that available for graduate students. For example, the number of graduate students funded by agency and funding mechanisms is known (such as how many graduate students are supported by NIH via both fellowships and research grants), but the same is not true for postdoctoral scholars.
Provided in this appendix is all the available quantitative data COSEPUP was able to locate on postdoctoral scholars. The data provided here in tables is also illustrated in figures throughout the text.
The surveys, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which serve as the basis for the tables and figures in the text are the:
Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), which is a census of all doctorates awarded by US educational institutions;
Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR), which is a biennial sample survey drawn from the SED;
Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering, which is an annual survey of the academic departments of all post-baccalaureate institutions.
Note that the use of NSF data does not imply NSF endorsement of the research methods or conclusions contained in this report.
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The following is a brief description of the assumptions and restrictions used to extract information from the individual data files.
SURVEY OF EARNED DOCTORATES (SED) (1920-1998)
The specialties list used in the SED for identifying doctoral fields in Science and Engineering (S&E) consists of the following major categories:
Agricultural Sciences
Biological Sciences
Health Sciences
Engineering
Computer and Information Sciences
Mathematics
Physical Sciences
Astronomy
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
Chemistry
Geological & Related Sciences
Physics
Psychology
Miscellaneous Physical Sciences
Social Sciences
For the purpose of this guide these names were used to identify fields or they were combined as follows:
Life Sciences (Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Health Sciences)
Engineering
Mathematical Sciences (Computer and Information Sciences, Mathematics)
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences (Atmospheric Sciences and
Physics and Astronomy (Physics, Astronomy) Meteorology, Geological & Related Sciences, Miscellaneous Physical Sciences [except Other Physical Sciences])
Chemistry
Social and Behavioral Sciences (Psychology, Social Sciences)
All doctorates were selected independent of citizenship in determining the number of doctorates by field and in identifying postdoctoral plans in Table B-11. Only those doctorates who indicated that they have accepted a postdoctoral position or are negotiating with a specific organization were selected.
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SURVEY OF DOCTORATE RECIPIENTS (SDR) (1973-1997)
In using the SDR data set, the same doctoral field identifiers were used as those for the Doctorate Recipient File (DRF). Median salaries were determined only for a six-year cohort, 1991-1996, of doctorates that in 1997 identified themselves as being in a postdoctoral position and only for fields where a sufficient number of responses would provide reliable information. For the other figures using the SDR data, no restriction to a particular cohort was used. Data for Figure 3-2 was generated for married individuals in the year of the survey and for married individuals with children of any age under 18. Figure 1-7, containing information on the reasons why individuals were in a postdoctoral position, pertains to their current position; two categories, “additional training” and “postdoc is excepted,” were combined into a single category. Figure 2-4, which reported the employment status of 1995 postdoctoral appointees in 1997, was obtained by merging the 1995 and 1997 data to obtain responses for individuals who responded to both surveys. Figure 1-5 provides data on the median number of years individuals are in postdoctoral positions by doctoral field, and this data was available only for the 1995 survey year as a special module for the survey.
SURVEY OF GRADUATE STUDENTS AND POSTDOCTORATES IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (1973-1998)
The field taxonomy for this survey is slightly different from that of the SDR or DRF since it is a survey of graduate departments and not research fields. The following departmental identifiers or a subset of those departments were used for this analysis:
Agricultural Sciences
Biological Sciences
Health Fields
Engineering
Mathematics and Computer Sciences
Chemistry
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
Physics and Astronomy
Psychology
Social Sciences
This data was extracted from the National Science Foundation's CASPER Data System. Categories were selected from menus provided by the system. Figure 1-2 contains data on all individuals holding a postdoctoral position, inde-
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ENHANCING THE POSTDOCTORAL EXPERIENCE FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS: A Guide for Postdoctoral Scholars, Advisers, Institutions, Funding Organizations, and Disciplinary Societies
pendent of citizenship, and whether they received a PhD or a professional degree (MD, DO, DVM, or DDS). Figure 2-5 distinguishes postdoctoral appointments by citizenship, and permanent residents are counted as US citizens. All other figures and tables using data from the Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering made no restrictions as to citizenship or type of doctorate.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE DEGREE FIELD
A broad and fine degree taxonomy was used to describe the doctoral fields in this Guide. The following is a list of the broad field headings with the fine fields that comprise that broad field under its heading.
Life Sciences
Agricultural Sciences
Biological Sciences (includes Biochemistry)
Medical Sciences
Engineering
Mathematical and Computer Sciences
Computer Sciences
Mathematical Sciences
Physical Sciences
Physics and Astronomy
Chemistry (does not include Biochemistry)
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social Sciences
Psychology
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LIST OF TABLES
TABLE B-1:
Postdoctoral Appointees in Academic Institutions by Broad Field, 1980-1998
TABLE B-2:
Number and Percentage of Postdoctoral Appointments Across Employment Sectors, 1981-1997
TABLE B-3:
US Citizen and Permanent Resident Postdoctoral Appointees at US Universities, 1988-1998
TABLE B-4:
Percentage of US Citizens and Permanent Residents with Postdoctoral Appointments in US Institutions by Field, 1988-1998
TABLE B-5:
Reasons for Taking first Postdoctoral Appointment, by Field of Doctorate, 1997
TABLE B-6:
1997 Status of 1995 Postdoctorates, by Selected Science & Engineering Field
TABLE B-7:
Sources of Job Advice for Individuals with and without Postdoctoral Appointments
TABLE B-8:
Comparison of Primary Concerns of Johns Hopkins University Postdoctoral Appointees in 1992 and 1997
TABLE B-9:
Median Number of Months Spent in Postdoctoral Appointment, by Field and Years Since Doctorate
TABLE B-10:
Number of Science & Engineering Doctorates by Field, 1975-1998
TABLE B-11:
Number of Science & Engineering Doctorates Planning Postdoctoral Study by Field, 1975-1998
TABLE B-12:
Source of Support for Academic Postdoctoral Appointees by Field, 1998
TABLE B-13:
Married and Dependent Status of Postdoctoral Appointees in 1997
TABLE B-14:
Ratio of the Number of Tenured Faculty to the Number of Doctorates in 1987 and 1997
TABLE B-15:
Median Postdoctoral Salaries by Employment Sector and Field of Doctorate in 1997 for Doctorate in the Six-Year Cohort, 1991-1996
TABLE B-16:
Median Industrial Salaries in 1997 for Doctorates in the Six-Year PhD Cohort, 1991-1996, by Field and Type of Appointment
TABLE B-17:
Median Government Salaries in 1997 for Doctorates in the Six-Year PhD Cohort, 1991-1996, by Field and Type of Appointment
TABLE B-18:
Number of Postdoctoral Appointments in Selective Survey Years, 1981-1997
TABLE B-19:
Number and Percentage of 1991-1996 Doctorates that Hold Postdoctoral Positions in 1997, by Gender
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TABLE B-1: Postdoctoral Appointees in Academic Institutions by Broad Field, 1980-1998
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
Life Sciences
11,721
12,836
12,703
13,699
14,421
14,958
15,920
16,874
17,540
18,984
Physical Sciences and Mathematics
4,796
4,971
4,879
5,128
5,163
5,214
5,556
5,724
6,077
6,128
Engineering
979
1,038
978
1,107
1,202
1,355
1,402
1,444
1,688
1,917
Social and Behavioral Sciences
904
790
804
779
749
860
843
839
818
903
All Science & Engineering Fields
18,400
19,635
19,364
20,713
21,535
22,387
23,721
24,881
26,123
27,932
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
Life Sciences
20,214
21,051
22,671
24,158
25,704
25,144
26,119
26,836
28,283
Physical Sciences and Mathematics
6,506
6,673
6,830
6,822
7,132
7,183
7,276
7,495
7,511
Engineering
1,943
2,254
2,360
2,443
2,600
2,641
2,674
2,951
2,830
Social and Behavioral Sciences
902
887
886
899
941
958
1,038
936
995
All Science & Engineerning Fields
29,565
30,865
32,747
34,322
36,377
35,926
37,107
38,218
39,619
Source: Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Scienceand Engineering, 1980-1998
Note: Life Sciences includes the Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences, and the Health Sciences. Physical Sciences and Mathematics includes Chemistry; Astronomy and Physics; Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences; and Mathematics and Computer Sciences
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TABLE B-2: Number and Percentage of Postdoctoral Appointments Across Employment Sectors, 1981-1997
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
Academic
8,628
8,848
11,761
13,264
19,358
Percent
91.4%
87.6%
89.4%
80.0%
80.3%
Industrial
221
479
555
989
1,663
Percent
2.3%
4.7%
4.2%
6.0%
6.9%
Government
593
772
835
2,325
3,090
Percent
6.3%
7.6%
6.3%
14.0%
12.8%
Total
9,442
10,099
13,151
16,578
24,111
Source: 1981, 1985, 1989, 1993, and 1997 Survey of Doctorate Recipients
TABLE B-3: US Citizen and Permanent Resident Postdoctoral Appointees at US Universities, 1988-1998
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
Agricultural Sciences
312
322
353
353
342
347
Biological Sciences
6,110
6,388
6,594
7,283
7,499
7,527
Chemistry
1,331
1,327
1,248
1,427
1,385
1,406
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
307
377
415
514
504
527
Engineering
587
608
762
1,014
1,050
935
Medical Sciences
3,969
4,440
4,611
5,499
5,475
6,787
Mathematical Sciences
208
139
190
227
258
309
Physics and Astronomy
903
863
976
972
1,065
945
Psychology
425
381
401
426
483
482
Social Sciences
242
247
226
249
308
260
Total US Citizen and Perms
14,420
15,115
15,800
17,986
18,412
19,543
Source: 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1998 Survey of GraduateStudents and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering
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TABLE B-4: Percentage of US Citizens and Permanent Residents with Postdoctoral Appointments in US Institutions by Field, 1988-1998
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
Agricultural Sciences
67.2%
61.5%
56.0%
50.1%
50.5%
52.1%
Biological Sciences
57.2%
53.5%
50.0%
50.4%
50.2%
48.6%
Chemistry
38.7%
36.4%
34.8%
38.3%
38.7%
37.8%
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
61.9%
63.5%
60.0%
62.4%
58.5%
58.8%
Engineering
34.8%
31.3%
32.3%
39.0%
39.3%
33.0%
Medical Sciences
62.1%
57.3%
52.1%
52.1%
52.1%
55.9%
Mathematical Sciences
54.7%
43.4%
54.9%
53.5%
44.8%
48.1%
Physics and Astronomy
52.1%
45.0%
45.0%
46.0%
49.1%
42.6%
Psychology
85.3%
82.1%
76.4%
77.3%
81.3%
78.8%
Social Sciences
75.6%
56.4%
62.6%
63.8%
69.4%
67.9%
Total
55.2%
51.1%
48.2%
49.4%
49.6%
49.3%
Source: 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1998 Survey of GraduateStudents and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering
TABLE B-5: Reasons for Taking First Postdoctoral Appointment, by Field of Doctorate, 1997
Expected or Additional Training
Work with Specific Person
Training Outside PhD Field
Other Employment Not Available
Other
Total
Biological Sciences
6,404
2,427
1,950
1,779
602
13,162
Percent
57.2%
51.8%
57.3%
40.4%
31.5%
54.3%
Chemistry
865
308
292
551
168
2,184
Percent
7.7%
6.6%
8.6%
12.5%
8.8%
9.0%
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
343
75
75
238
80
811
Percent
3.1%
1.6%
2.2%
5.4%
4.2%
3.3%
Engineering
586
464
288
517
401
2,256
Percent
5.2%
9.9%
8.5%
11.7%
21.0%
9.3%
Medical Sciences
205
137
82
68
74
566
Percent
1.8%
2.9%
2.4%
1.5%
3.9%
2.3%
Physics and Astronomy
1,010
347
175
399
162
2,093
Percent
9.0%
7.4%
5.1%
9.1%
8.5%
8.6%
Social and Behavioral Sciences
1,368
564
412
514
305
3,163
Percent
12.2%
12.0%
12.1%
11.7%
15.9%
13.1%
All Postdoctorates
11,197
4,687
3,403
4,406
1,914
24,235
Percent
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
Source: Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 1997
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TABLE B-6: 1997 Status of 1995 Postdoctorates, by Selected Science & Engineering Field
1997 Employment Status
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Engineering
Physics and Astronomy
Psychology
Total
Postdoc Appointment
3,445
317
281
504
170
5,281
Percent
50.5%
23.2%
27.8%
33.2%
25.3%
38.0%
4 Yr. or Univ. and TenureTrack
899
230
129
253
94
2,288
Percent
13.2%
16.8%
12.7%
16.7%
14.0%
16.5%
Other Academic
1,213
279
103
250
209
2,548
Percent
17.8%
20.4%
10.2%
16.5%
31.1%
18.4%
Industry or Self-Employed
735
342
373
320
73
2,173
Percent
10.8%
25.0%
36.9%
21.1%
10.9%
15.6%
Non-Profit or Government
451
104
102
190
126
1,382
Percent
6.6%
7.6%
10.1%
12.5%
18.8%
10.0%
Unemployed
75
97
24
NA
NA
213
Percent
1.1%
7.1%
2.4%
NA
NA
1.5%
Total 1995 Postdoctoral Appointees
6,818
1,369
1,012
1,517
672
13,885
Source: Merged 1995 and 1997 data from the Survey of Doctorate Recipients
Note: NA = insufficient data to provide reliable information.
TABLE B-7: Sources of Job Advice for Individuals with and without Postdoctoral Appointments
Best Sources
Utilized Sources
Biochemistry Postdoctoral Appointees
Mathematics Postdoctoral Appointees
Biochemistry Postdoctoral Appointees
Mathematics Postdoctoral Appointees
Postdoctoral Mentor
41%
16%
59 %
31%
Job Notice in Professional Journal
38%
31%
57%
51%
PhD Adviser
25%
39%
42%
60%
Sent Unsolicited
7%
13%
21%
37%
Other Faculty
16%
27%
39%
56%
Former Professional Contacts
16%
28%
25%
40%
Job Ads On-Campus
3%
6%
13%
13%
Source: Science 1999, Vol. 285, p. 1518
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TABLE B-8: Comparison of Primary Concerns of Johns Hopkins University Postdoctoral Appointees in 1992 and 1997
1992
1997
Future Job Placement
45%
68%
Salary Levels
47%
67%
Dental Insurance
0%
47%
Campus Parking
39%
40%
Research Funding
22%
37%
Personal Safety
60%
31%
Health Insurance
53%
26%
Child Care
29%
26%
Source: Science 1999, Vol. 285, pp. 1514 (data collected by Johns Hopkins UniversityPostdoctoral Association)
TABLE B-9: Median Number of Months Spent in Postdoctoral Appointment, by Field and Years Since Doctorate
Years Since Doctorate
4 to 6
7 to 10
11 to 20
Agricultural Sciences
20
22
25
Biological Sciences
46
45
38
Chemistry
22
24
22
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
23
19
16
Physics and Astronomy
34
32
25
Psychology
15
16
20
All Science and Engineering
29
29
26
Source: Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 1995
Notes: Years since doctorate are counted from 1995 when data was collected. Data for the most current, 1 to 3 years cohort, is not provided since many doctorates are still in postdoctoral positions.
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TABLE B-10: Number of Science and Engineering Doctorates by Field, 1975-1998
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
1996
1997
1998
Agricultural Sciences
1,067
1,072
1,258
1,321
1,212
1,208
1,112
1,192
Biological Sciences
3,497
3,803
3,793
4,328
5,376
5,723
5,777
5,848
Medical Sciences
462
586
729
956
1,330
1,324
1,422
1,500
Engineering
3,002
2,479
3,166
4,894
6,008
6,305
6,098
5,919
Mathematical Sciences
1,147
962
998
1,597
2,187
2,043
2,030
2,100
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
634
628
617
769
807
807
897
838
Physics and Astronomy
1,300
983
1,080
1,393
1,652
1,676
1,597
1,584
Chemistry
1,776
1,538
1,836
2,100
2,162
2,148
2,143
2,217
Social Sciences
3,315
2,757
2,647
2,812
3,356
3,474
3,473
3,394
Psychology
2,751
3,098
3,118
3,281
3,279
3,340
3,564
3,681
All Science and Engineering Doctorates
18,951
17,906
19,242
23,451
27,369
28,048
28,113
28,273
Source: Survey of Earned Doctorates, 1920-1998
Note: Includes all doctorates, independent of citizenship status
TABLE B-11: Number of Science and Engineering Doctorates Planning Postdoctoral Study by Field, 1975-1998
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
1998
Agricultural Sciences
157
154
238
354
334
327
Biological Sciences
1,923
2,310
2,328
2,827
3,500
3,488
Medical Sciences
58
108
96
160
231
214
Engineering
385
279
425
843
1,193
949
Mathematical Sciences
119
111
147
300
437
367
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
139
176
213
281
338
306
Physics and Astronomy
611
445
486
765
885
672
Chemistry
811
606
747
927
1,089
943
Social Sciences
139
191
193
225
316
357
Psychology
377
476
485
553
751
882
All Science and Engineering Doctorates
4,719
4,856
5,358
7,235
9,074
8,505
Source: Survey of Earned Doctorates, 1920-1998
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TABLE B-12: Source of Support for Academic Postdoctoral Appointees by Field, 1998
Fellowships
Traineeships
Research Grants
Non-Federal Sources
Total
Agriculture
28
1
345
292
666
Biological Sciences
1,575
1,084
8,557
4,264
15,480
Medical Sciences
1,716
1,548
4,020
4,853
12,137
Engineering
113
21
1,829
867
2,830
Mathematical and Computer Sciences
75
2
370
195
642
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
71
12
670
144
897
Physics and Astronomy
111
9
1,754
342
2,216
Chemistry
249
28
2,421
1,018
3,716
Social Sciences
35
26
96
226
383
Psychology
79
109
248
176
612
Total
4,052
2,840
20,310
12,377
39,579
Source: Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Scienceand Engineering, 1998
TABLE B-13: Married and Dependent Status of Postdoctoral Appointees in 1997
HAVE CHILDREN
NO CHILDREN
MARRIED
NOT MARRIED
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Agriculture
373
54.7%
309
45.3%
539
79.0%
143
21.0%
Biological Sciences
5,329
40.5%
7,833
59.5%
8,984
68.3%
4,178
31.7%
Medical Sciences
276
48.8%
290
51.2%
345
61.0%
221
39.0%
Engineering
855
37.9%
1,401
62.1%
1,686
74.7%
570
25.3%
Mathematical and Computer Sciences
101
15.3%
557
84.7%
296
45.0%
362
55.0%
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
345
42.5%
466
57.5%
479
59.1%
332
40.9%
Physics and Astronomy
555
26.5%
1,538
73.5%
1,160
55.4%
933
44.6%
Chemistry
595
27.2%
1,589
72.8%
1,328
60.8%
856
39.2%
Social Sciences
1,118
35.3%
2,045
64.7%
1,931
61.0%
1,232
39.0%
Psychology
856
38.0%
1,398
62.0%
1,425
63.2%
829
36.8%
Source: Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 1997
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TABLE B-14: Ratio of the Number of Tenured Faculty to the Number of Doctorates in 1987 and 1997
Doctorates
Tenured Faculty
Ratio Tenured Faculty/ Doctorates
1987
1997
1987
1997
1987
1997
Agriculture
157
281
5,551
6,107
35.4
21.7
Biological Sciences
1,923
3,324
22,967
24,718
11.9
7.4
Medical Sciences
58
197
2,545
3,899
43.9
19.8
Engineering
385
1,000
12,950
15,691
33.6
15.7
Mathematical and Computer Sciences
119
365
9,841
12,554
82.7
34.4
Earth, Atmospheric, and Ocean Sciences
139
309
2,944
3,504
21.2
11.3
Physics and Astronomy
611
654
7,047
7,370
11.5
11.3
Chemistry
811
923
9,334
8,623
11.5
9.3
Social Sciences
516
1,019
24,008
26,137
46.5
25.6
Psychology
377
733
12,404
13,993
32.9
19.1
Source: Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 1987 and 1997
TABLE B-15: Median Postdoctoral Salaries by Employment Sector and Field of Doctorate in 1997 for Doctorate in the Six-Year Cohort, 1991-1996
Academe
Industry
Government
Life Sciences
$27,000
$33,000
$35,000
Engineering
$30,000
$56,500
$45,000
Physics and Astronomy
$34,000
$48,000
$42,000
Chemistry
$25,000
$40,000
$48,000
Social/Behavioral Sciences
$27,600
$30,000
$35,000
Source: Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 1997
Note: Median salaries are presented only for individuals who received their doctorate between 1991 and 1996 to avoid including senior personnel who might classify a leave position as a postdoctoral appointment. Other fields where not included since the number of data points may be too small to provide accurate information.
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TABLE B-16: Median Industrial Salaries in 1997 for Doctorates in the Six-Year PhD Cohort, 1991-1996, by Field and Type of Appointment
Postdoctoral Positions
Non-Postdoctoral Positions
Life Sciences
33,000
61,000
Engineering
56,500
69,000
Physics and Astronomy
48,000
64,000
Chemistry
40,000
62,400
Social/Behavioral Sciences
30,000
50,000
Note: Median salaries are presented only for individuals who received their doctorate between 1991 and 1996 to avoid including senior personnel who might classify a leave position as a postdoctoral appointment. Other fields where not included since the number of data points may be too small to provide accurate information.
Source: Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 1997
TABLE B-17: Median Government Salaries in 1997 for Doctorates in the Six-Year PhD Cohort, 1991-1996, by Field and Type of Appointment
Postdoctoral Positions
Non-Postdoctoral Positions
Life Sciences
35,000
50,000
Engineering
45,000
60,000
Physics and Astronomy
42,000
60,000
Chemistry
48,000
60,000
Social/Behavioral Sciences
35,000
51,000
Source: Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 1997
Note: Median salaries are presented only for individuals who received their doctorate between 1991 and 1996 to avoid including senior personnel who might classify a leave position as a postdoctoral appointment. Other fields where not included since the number of data points may be too small to provide accurate information.
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TABLE B-18: Number of Postdoctoral Appointments in Selective Survey Years, 1981-1997
Academic Postdoctoral Positions
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
Life Sciences
5,257
5,294
6,909
7,720
11,253
Engineering
192
187
607
919
1,671
Physics and Astronomy
716
781
1,019
1,635
1,541
Chemistry
1,258
1,235
1,562
1,806
1,621
Social and Behavioral Sciences
894
1,090
1,148
588
2,069
Industrial Postdoctoral Positions
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
Life Sciences
100
193
217
404
655
Engineering
NA
NA
169
198
140
Physics and Astronomy
55
115
57
79
54
Chemistry
NA
70
NA
240
307
Social and Behavioral Sciences
NA
80
NA
50
465
Governmental Postdoctoral Positions
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
Life Sciences
332
502
583
1,524
1,594
Engineering
NA
144
NA
144
384
Physics and Astronomy
62
NA
82
150
468
Chemistry
26
59
82
173
217
Social and Behavioral Sciences
88
NA
NA
181
313
Source: 1981, 1985, 1989, 1993, and 1997 Survey of Doctorate Recipients
Note: NA = insufficient data to provide reliable information.
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TABLE B-19: Number and Percentage of 1991-1996 Doctorates that Hold Postdoctoral Positions in 1997, by Gender
Male
Female
PhD Field
Total Doctorates
Number of Postdocs
Percentage of Male Doctorates in Postdoc Positions
Total Doctorates
Number of Postdocs
Percentage of Female Doctorates in Postdoc Positions
Percentage of all Postdoc Positions Held by Females
Agricultural Sciencs
2,776
219
7.9%
966
133
13.8%
37.8%
Biological Sciences
13,923
5,579
40.1%
9,657
4,011
41.5%
41.8%
Medical Sciences
1,694
122
7.2%
4,035
219
5.4%
64.2%
Engineering
14,683
826
5.6%
2,354
205
8.7%
19.9%
Mathematics
5,327
323
6.1%
1,545
93
6.0%
22.4%
Earth and Atmos Sciences
2,454
479
19.5%
841
144
17.1%
23.1%
Astronomy and Physics
4,957
1,250
25.2%
579
138
23.8%
9.9%
Chemistry
6,453
992
15.4%
2,281
305
13.4%
23.5%
Social Sciences
6,983
312
4.5%
5,184
220
4.2%
41.4%
Psychology
6,604
651
9.9%
11,677
953
8.2%
59.4%
Total
65,854
10,753
16.3%
39,119
6,421
16.4%
37.4%
Male
Female
PhD Field
Total Doctorates
Number of Postdocs
Percentage of Male Doctorates in Postdoc Positions
Total Doctorates
Number of Postdocs
Percentage of Female Doctorates in Postdoc Positions
Percentage of all Postdoc Positions Held by Females
Life Sciences
18,393
5,920
32.2%
14,658
4,363
29.8%
42.4%
Engineering
14,683
826
5.6%
2,354
205
8.7%
19.9%
Physical, Math and Comp Sci
19,191
3,044
15.9%
5,246
680
13.0%
18.3%
Social/Behavioral Sci
13,587
963
7.1%
16,861
1,173
7.0%
54.9%
Total
65,854
10,753
16.3%
39,119
6,421
16.4%
37.4%
Source: Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 1997