Postdoctoral research

After the baptism by fire that the doctorate represents, one might imagine that things would calm down. That the job of a doctoral researcher would become a long, quiet river, flowing into a permanent position that would allow you to develop your research serenely, without pressure of time or money.

It has to be said that this picture is unfortunately very far from the reality. Contracts are often for an indefinite period, generally short (6 months to two years), and part-time. Obtaining funding is very competitive, as are the positions advertised. The requirements for a career generally mean that you will have to spend some time abroad, which can be very complex if you have children or have a dual career. Imagining a new direction after one or more postdocs is also hard to conceptualise.

Standard challenges, both scientific and human, make a postdoc a stressful and difficult period. On the following pages you will find information on the offers and support available at UNIL and elsewhere.