The most important thing that I am looking for in a post-doc application is: Does the person have a sufficiently strong track-record to obtain a PhD at my university? It would be weird to recruit a postdoc that is less qualified than the final-year PhD students in my group.

Another important aspect is if the person has a proven expertise that is lacking in my own research group.

Dear Arun K Raj one minor point regarding e-mails which is often neglected: I regularly receive post-doc applications beginning with "Dear Professor,...". In such cases I don't even open the attachments, but the e-mails go right away into the Trash. Thus my advice would be to write personal e-mails, in my case beginning with "Dear Professor Edelmann, ..." and then outline why you are specifically interested in our research. Also name one or two supervisors as potential referees. Of course it is very helpful if you already have a few papers in a related field

Dear Prof. Frank T. Edelmann ,

Thank you for the useful tip. I would surely keep it in mind.

The most important thing that I am looking for in a post-doc application is: Does the person have a sufficiently strong track-record to obtain a PhD at my university? It would be weird to recruit a postdoc that is less qualified than the final-year PhD students in my group.

Another important aspect is if the person has a proven expertise that is lacking in my own research group.

Dear Prof. Emil Björnson ,

Thank you for the insightful opinion. There are two categories:

For an open position call:

All post-doc application forms (online) ask for your previous academic credentials/research exp./your knowledge in area/teaching exp. and mostly everything essential.

In my opinion, it still lacks a critical step (I do not know if it is needed or not). "As a competent candidate, What is your proposed layout of the work plan to complete the desired project within a deadline, say one year.

For an email inquiry without open position advertisement:

It rather becomes difficult. The only tools available for a student to track the desired lab work are "Prof's group page, Google scholar (publication track), and Social network".

When i read many blogs/articles, always the first email to any Prof. should be concise and specific. It makes again difficult to convey in the first email, why I should be a competent candidate.

(These are the hurdles, which most PhD students deal with when looking for a postdoc position)

Related expertise, publications in reputable Journals, suitable in open projects.

Hello everyone, Some criteria, such as the "Professional Ethics Test" missed.

Dear Majid Mobini & Other RG members,

It is a good point to be considered. However, my discussion is solely based on the aspect "How to make good impression through an email inquiry without open position advertisement".

Such as, what should be the expected word count of the first email to a PI/Prof.; CV alone or CV + Reference letter recommendation is mandatory; If I am a student working on solar thermal applications, but towards the end of my Ph.D., I want to work also in material science. So is it good to admit to PI/Prof. that I am good at thermal aspects and a beginner or intermediate on materials (its always good to learn new things), etc.

(These are some of the queries for a start).

I think before applying for post- doctoral position in any university, you should be sure that your expertise is quite relevant and demanding to host academician. Second is your references should be quite known to faculty member whom you are applying for. Other points like your background experience, publications, teaching and research activities also is helpful in resume. Strong recommendation letters have its vital importance.

Dear Majid Mobini I never heard about a "Professional Ethics Test"... 😳

Thank you, dear DR. Edelmann and DR Raj; For example, some monitoring of ethical standards is being carried out in the Marie Sklodowska Currie and Horizon 2020 projects.

https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/cross-cutting-issues/ethics_en.htm

Are these considered for personal grants as well?

I mean, the letter of recommendation maybe not enough, because it's nature is credit, credit from another unknown human. I want to know what criteria do professors consider?

Dear Arun K Raj , before it gets too complicated ("Professional Ethics Test" etc.) let me try to summarize the most important points:

1. Your research experience and the research interests of your host should match, i.e. it should be beneficial for him / her if you join the research group.

2. You should have published a few papers in the field.

3. You should arrange for positive references.

4. Write a personal letter in which you express your interest in the particular research.

5. It's much easier to get a post-doc position if you bring your own money, i.e. by successfully applying for a Humboldt fellowship etc.

Good luck!

Dear Prof. Frank T. Edelmann,

Thank you for a well constructed answer and for the fifth point. Indeed, I would make a note of the possible fellowship(s) in my area and try to work on it.

Arun K Raj Congratulations! You have achieved your Phd! Now it is time for you to make a few decisions.

1) What do you want to do with your life!

2) Do you want to remain in academia for your whole life?

a) If yes what is your ultimate goal? Researcher, Professor, Teacher?

b) If no what do you want accomplish? Fame? Fortune? Family? Other?

3) Are you on the correct path to meet your personal goals and ambitions Do you have a pan to achieve those goals?

a) If yes stay the course but consider appropriate opportunities when they present themselves.

b) If no "There's still time to change the road you're on"

I have found lot of people are uncomfortable/afraid of change and reject attractive opportunities. That is fine as long as you understand and accept the consequences.

Dear Rick Manner,

It was an interesting reply. Also, it touched several important questions about decision making in life/career goals.

1. I am quite aware of the first question (took a couple of years to decided "What's next").

2. While doing Ph.D., I got the response to this question sorted out (I would stick with Research).

3. Yes, I am confident and I do have a short-term and long-term plan sorted out (But often as a student, what a majority lack is, "how to showcase you are the competent one for the opportunity listed)

All the former replies along with this, is contributing to understand or picturize "what's needed".

Arun K Raj

It looks like you know what you want to do. The Corona virus situation will probably complicate your plans a little - but hopefully not too much. Best wishes!

The quality of your dissertation work, the topic, publications. Skills are important, such as experimental and or computational.

try to show high potential of success. Reference letters.

As far as I know, the main duty for the postdoctoral fellow is to satisfy the research work under his/her responsibility, moreover, to co-operate with his/her supervisor, moreover a postdoctoral sometimes does some of the supervisor's academic work.