{"id":25648,"date":"2025-07-22T10:06:50","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T14:06:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/?page_id=25648"},"modified":"2025-07-22T10:06:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T14:06:50","slug":"the-perils-of-a-postdoc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/graduate-program\/mental-health-wellness\/the-perils-of-a-postdoc\/","title":{"rendered":"The Perils of a Postdoc"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mental Health Awareness<\/h2>\n
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This poster explores some of the common stressors that postdoctoral researchers experience on their climb for academic excellence.<\/p>\n

Compete or Perish<\/h3>\n
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With extremely limited tenure positions, postdocs can often feel\u00a0pitted against one another to achieve a permanent faculty position.<\/p>\n

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Family Commitments<\/h3>\n
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Long hours, a ticking biological clock and better work-life balance\u00a0elsewhere can add pressure to leave the\u00a0academy. Caring responsibilities can add strain.<\/p>\n

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Idea Generation<\/h3>\n
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The pressure of having to propose the “next big thing” can\u00a0lead to feelings of inadequacy and\u00a0foster imposter syndrome.<\/p>\n

Teaching Experience<\/h3>\n
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To progress in academia,\u00a0teaching experience is needed but opportunities to do so are often very\u00a0limited, ultimately affecting progression.<\/p>\n

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Global Challenges<\/h3>\n
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he need to be mobile and get experience in different postdocs around the world is often emphasized. This can lead to culture integration issues and separation from loved ones.<\/p>\n

Need for Independence<\/h3>\n

The need for independence in order to apply for fellowships is high, but stepping out from under a PIs shadow can be tough. Having support to persue an academic career from the PI is often essential.<\/p>\n

ALTAC sell-out<\/h3>\n
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The narrative often is\u00a0that if you opt to choose an alternative career outside of academia you have ‘failed’ and ‘sold out’.<\/p>\n

A Star is Born<\/h3>\n
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Corresponding author positions are often needed\u00a0to show research independence but achieving\u00a0this can be difficult without already having a permanent faculty position.<\/p>\n

Burnout or Drop Out<\/h3>\n
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The culture of research often implies that if you are not working\u00a024\/7 then you are not passionate enough resulting\u00a0in feelings of guilt and ultimately leaving academia.<\/p>\n

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Self Harming? Suicidal Thoughts? Need help?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n