[jorpal]

The problem is we train way more PhDs than there are tenure track positions available. Most PhDs won’t be lucky enough to get one of those academic positions, and a postdoc is just delaying the inevitable transition to an industrial job. Postdocs are for all-star students with a good academic pedigree and publishing track record who have a good shot at tenure. People who were less then that (such as myself) are often better served starting their career outside academia.

From a pragmatic perspective that is how the calculus worked for me. It’s probably where the stigma arises from as well. Although I wish it weren’t like that, I never thought the purpose of a college/university education should be so limited to ‘job training’ (that’s what trade schools are for). That’s the American perspective, anyways.

[chrisseaton]

> a postdoc is just delaying the inevitable transition to an industrial job

I don’t understand why - are postdoctoral jobs age-limited or something? Why can’t you keep doing them?

[valarauko]

I think the point parent is trying to make is that the majority of postdocs will move to an industry job simply because that's where most of the jobs are, even if they'd prefer to remain in academia.

While postdoctoral jobs aren't age limited, they are defined in the US as a temporary training position, and it's not possible to remain a postdoc for very long. The vast majority of postdocs in the US are foreign nationals, on a visa scheme that limits their stay to a theoretical maximum of 5 years. The salary is low enough that it dissuades postdocs from remaining in these positions for very long anyway. Some institutions may support transitioning senior postdocs to a more semi-permanent "associate" position, but that's not usually the case. The visa scheme also disallows postdocs from applying for a green card (while maintaining status), which complicates matters further.