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Welcome to our survey investigating the reasons behind the premature departure of Postdocs from research groups and the consequential impact of this phenomenon amid the ongoing postdoc crisis. As the backbone of scientific progress, Postdoctoral researchers play a pivotal role in advancing knowledge and innovation. However, the significant challenges they face in their career trajectories have led to an alarming rate of early departures from research groups.
Through this study, we aim to shed light on the underlying causes, both personal and systemic, that contribute to this concerning trend. Additionally, our objective is to assess the financial implications related to grant money resulting from this phenomenon.  Your valuable insights will be crucial in understanding the complexities surrounding Postdocs' career paths and will aid in developing strategies to address the postdoc crisis effectively. Thank you for your participation in this crucial investigation. Together, we can work towards creating a more supportive and sustainable research environment for the future generation of scientists.

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* 1. Which field are you working in?

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* 2. Which country are you currently working in?

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* 3. Which of the following best describes your gender?

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* 4. When did you receive your PhD title?

Date

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* 5. In which year of your Postdoc are you? 

Within this survey the start of a Postdoc position is defined as the official start in your contract as a Postdoctoral researcher. Postdoc hereby defines that state after having completed your PhD degree and started a position in which your contract clearly defines that you are hired as a Postdoctoral researcher.

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* 6. Please specify your history as a Postdoctoral Researcher from the beginning of your first Postdoc up until to date 

Within this survey the start of a Postdoc position is defined as the official start in your contract as a Postdoctoral researcher. Postdoc hereby defines that state after having completed your PhD degree and started a position in which your contract clearly defines that you are hired as a Postdoctoral researcher.

Date
Date
Date
Date
Date

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* 7. How many Postdoc positions have you worked at (until today)?

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* 8. If this is not your first Postdoc, have you ever left/ quit a previous Postdoc position prior to finishing off your

A.    contract?
B.    project?
C.    publication?

  Reply
A
B
C

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* 9. If you have ever left/quit a Postdoc position, what were the major reasons for that?

Choose up to three factors ranked from 1 as the most to 3 as the least important of the major factors.

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* 10. If you have ever changed your Postdoc position and moved from one research group to a new research group:

A. What were major characteristics you were looking for at your new Postdoc position?

Choose up to three characteristics

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FREEPIK image @pch.vector

Two people using binoculars and telescope to search from a hot air balloon over a city landscape

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* 11. B. Are you more satisfied with your new Postdoc position?

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* 12. Have you ever considered leaving your current Postdoc position prior to finishing of your:

A. contract?
B. project?
C. publication?

  Answer
A
B
C

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* 13. What are the reasons for you to consider leaving your current Postdoc position?

Choose up to three factors ranked from 1 as the most to 3 as the least important reason

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* 14. If you are considering to leave your current Postdoc position, are you planning to move to another Research Group for a new Postdoctoral position or non-research position in academia or are you planning to leave academia?

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* 15. A. Do you know any other Postdoc/s who left their Postdoc position/s prior to finishing of their contract/project/publication?

B. If yes, how many Postdocs/colleagues do you know who left their positions prior to finishing their contract/project/publication?

  Answer 
A
B

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* 16. If you know any other Postdocs who left their position, what was the overarching reason for them leaving?

Choose up to three answers

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* 17. If you know other Postdocs who left their previous Postdoc position, did they move to another Research Group or did they leave academia?

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* 18. If you are considering leaving your current Postdoc position, of what importance do you consider the role of:

A. Mentorship
B. Leadership

from your PI (Principal Investigator) towards you and the Research Group in the process of your consideration to leave your current position?

Definitions
Mentorship:
Mentorship is a process where an experienced, highly regarded, empathetic person (mentor) guides another individual (mentee) in the development and re-examination of their own ideas, learning and, personal and professional development.

Leadership:
“Leadership is the aggregate strength derived from the use of deep reservoirs of personal awareness, skill and professional best practices. These best practices and methodologies are then uniquely applied to a set of challenges that call out individual authenticity and set new precedents in professional capacity and personal effectiveness to support common good. “
Sharon McCollick, Strong Point Strategy

  Answer
A
B

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* 19. If you already quit one Postdoc position and started a new one, of which importance was the topic of mentorship/leadership to you within this process?

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* 20. Would you be interested in leadership/mentorship training as part of your career development in academia?

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* 21. Are you aware of any leadership/mentorship trainings available to Postdocs and/or PIs (Principal Investigators) at your current institution?

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* 22. Do you think that more Postdocs could be retained in academia if PIs were better trained in providing mentorship/leadership to Postdocs at this career stage?

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* 23. What are your views on incorporating a qualitative assessment of leadership/mentorship skills as part of a new concept on research assessment?

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* 24. The next set of questions (Q24-Q32)applies to you only, if you already left one Postdoc position earlier than anticipated.

In your previous Postdoctoral position, was your postdoctoral salary paid by your PI (Principal Investigator) or did you win a fellowship/grant covering your salary?

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* 25. What was your annual average Postdoc salary by the time you worked in your previous lab?

Insert amount and currency please.

For the following information, please enter the corresponding value with the official currency name. For a list of official currency names for all countries, please refer to: https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/currencies.htm

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* 26. What was the major funding agency funding your previous research group/ your projects?

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* 27. What was the estimated cost value of the projects you were working on since the start of your previous Postdoctoral position?

Insert amount and currency please.

For the following information, please enter the corresponding value with the official currency name. For a list of official currency names for all countries, please refer to: https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/currencies.htm

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* 28. When you left your previous Postdoc position: 

A. How many members of your group did (including PI/Postdocs/PhD students/Technicians) you share your data and details on the project with to enable continuation of the project/s?

Select estimated percentage of people/ total Research Group members.

0 Research Group members knowledge was transferred to 100
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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FREEPIK image @pch.vector

Three people researching an oversized lightbulb [a metaphor for three people collaborating to generate knowledge]

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* 29. B. What proportion of the knowledge acquired during your Postdoc position was that?

Select percentage of knowledge transferred/total knowledge acquired during the Postdoctoral research position.

0 Knowledge transferred 100
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 30. By the time you left your prior Postdoctoral position:

A. How many publications did you have published from within that Research Group (as lead or co-shared lead author, including scientific reviews)?

B. Since you have left your prior Postdoctoral position, how many of the projects are still continued and expected to be published? 

C. How many projects aimed for publications have been discontinued since you left your previous Postdoctoral position?

  Answer
A
B
C

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* 31. If you were funded by a scholarship that allowed you to switch labs/mentors and you switched to another Research Group, were you able to continue your project at your new position?

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* 32. Would you like to be part of a global network advocating for more leadership/mentorship in Science?

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DALL-E image prompted by author of researcher leaving a lab

Researcher in white lab coat leaving a lab through the exit door
0 of 32 answered
 

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