Evaluation

Aligning expectations early in postdoc training is critical to the success of both postdoc and sponsoring professor. In fact, a survey conducted by Sigma Xi suggests that postdocs who start with a written plan are more likely to submit papers (23% higher rate), first author papers (30% higher rate), and grants (25% higher rate) than those without a plan, thereby benefiting both postdoc and sponsoring professor. When aligning expectations, it is important for sponsoring professors to make expectations explicit and to create a safe space for the postdoc to make their expectations explicit. Once both parties have made their expectations explicit they can then engage in negotiation to ensure that expectations for both can be met. 

Creating an IDP is a great way for postdocs and sponsoring professors to develop a successful plan for the postdoc. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs recommends myIDP for postdocs in the sciences and Imagine PhD for postdocs in the humanities. Postdocs should create an IDP to review and discuss with their sponsoring professors when they start. 

Postdocs and sponsoring professors are also encouraged to review the Associate of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Compact between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors. While developed for biomedical trainees, this resource can easily be adjusted for other disciplines. 

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs provides the document below as a template to initiate an ongoing discussion in mentoring postdoctoral scholars and fellows. This template is intended to help facilitate communication and feedback between sponsoring professors and postdocs to align mutual expectations and increase research and creative work productivity. Further, this template can be used to fulfill trainee career and professional development sections required for progress reports on funded research.