In practical terms, postdoctoral research is often pursued within the first five years after earning a Ph.D., and is often considered a core component of that process. Many college and university programs offer postdoctoral fellowships to students who've completed the terminal degrees in their field. (A "terminal" degree is the highest possible academic achievement in a particular subject.) These fellowships are also frequently offered by private institutions looking to sponsor candidates to research and publish in their field.
According to the National Postdoctoral Association, a postdoctoral scholar is someone enrolled in "mentored research" or "scholarly training" for a limited time in order to acquire the skills needed to embark on the professional path of her choosing. Postdoctoral work is an essential component of the scholarly mission of the host institution. As such, "postdocs" are expected to distinguish themselves in their field of study under the flag of that institution.
Dr. Brett Pelham, writing for the American Psychological Association, argues that the need for doing postdoctoral work grew as the marketplace for graduates became more competitive...Many psychologists who had just earned their Ph.D.s found that they needed an extra year or two of training (and a few more publications) to compete for the academic jobs they would have easily qualified for in decades past."
Whether a postdoctoral experience is successful or not often hinges on the relationship between the researcher and his mentor. Dr. Pelham says, "some faculty advisers do not spend the time to teach and meet routinely with post-docs. A good post-doc mentor is a senior colleague and a caring adviser rather than simply a boss." Another drawback, he says, is that the pay can leave something to be desired. The average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate is between $36,000 and $48,000.
It isn't uncommon for a college or university's postdoctoral associates, fellows and researchers to form a union. The National Postdoctoral Association reports that in February 2010, postdoctoral fellows at the University of Massachusetts voted to unionize. Backed by United Auto Workers, the effort, if successful, would require the university to negotiate with their postdoctoral fellows over issues such as salary, health insurance and job security.