The Life of a Postdoc: An Overview

Why I opted to pursue a postdoc?

A postdoctoral position presented the perfect opportunity to work alongside experienced researchers and expand my knowledge. My area of interest is in Robotics but, given the multi-disciplinary nature of the field, I wanted to dive a bit deeper to learn about the width and depth the field has to offer. In doing so, I finally figured out the niche within Robotics that excites me the most and have since invested all my efforts into building my credibility in the chosen niche. This is how I got started with building solutions for resource-constrained mobile robots wherein the resources are onboard compute, memory and energy which typically limit the robot’s abilities when deployed in the field.

How did my PhD prepare me for a postdoc?

My PhD program provided me with a strong foundation for my postdoc. It equipped me with the research skills and knowledge necessary to conduct research independently. During the PhD, I learnt to conceptualize and formulate an idea into a project that spans multiple years. Also, during my PhD I had identified the top venues where the highly valued robotics manuscripts are published and sought after. These were the venues where I needed to build my own presence.

Robotics can often pose as a resource-intensive endeavor but during my PhD, and by virtue of my upbringing, I learnt to quickly adapt and improvise based on the availability of resources. Even if the resources were scarce, there was always some part of the big problem that could technically be solved as opposed to totally giving up. For instance, there were times when purchasing a commercial robot platform would have costed me several months so I instead opted to buy components from commercial suppliers and assembled a custom robot myself. It took me as much time and I managed to get the publishable results too. So, I persevered and stayed consistent with my efforts which got me this far.

What’s a typical day in my life as a postdoc?

As a postdoc, my day-to-day responsibilities are like those of a PhD student but with some key differences. I still spend a significant portion of my time conducting research and staying abreast with the latest publications. However, I now have additional responsibilities such as supervising graduate and undergraduate students and writing grant proposals. As opposed to my PhD where I was laser-focused on my own topic, I get to be involved in a few different sub-projects where I get to wear a mentor’s hat which will eventually feed into my big vision.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a postdoc is the opportunity to work alongside other researchers who are passionate about their work. Collaborating with others and learning from their experiences has been incredibly rewarding. Additionally, the increased autonomy I have in my research is fulfilling. However, the challenges are also significant. The pressure to secure funding for my research and publish in prestigious journals can be overwhelming. So, I normally split my time between writing grants versus publications and swap roles between leading versus mentoring to manage my time commitments. Balancing my research responsibilities with my other commitments can also be challenging at times so I ensure I block times for various responsibilities using my handy-dandy calendar. Then I prioritize based on deadlines and the importance of the task at hand such as an urgent grant deadline trumps an urgent publication deadline and so on.

What to keep in mind if you want to pursue a postdoc?

If I had to give one piece of advice to someone considering postdoctoral research, choose a research topic you’re passionate about. It’s not necessary to continue the same topic as your PhD as the soft skills and broad knowledge obtained will likely be transferable. The more advanced research process can be challenging and time-consuming, so it is essential to have a deep interest in the subject matter to stay motivated. Additionally, it is crucial to maintain a work-life balance and take care of yourself. Burnout is a real issue in academia. It is essential to prioritize self-care to avoid it. I personally like to make friends outside work and be involved in all sorts of indoor and outdoor sports activities such as Taekwondo and hiking.

A postdoctoral position is an excellent opportunity to further develop research skills and explore interests in academia. Although it comes with its challenges, such as securing funding and balancing responsibilities, the opportunity to work alongside experienced researchers and expand one's knowledge in a field is incredibly rewarding. I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities that my postdoc has provided me and I look forward to continuing my research in academia.