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INTRODUCTION |
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Post-doctoral research is an important enabling step in grooming
young researchers for launching an academic/research career. This is a
transition phase from a largely supervisor directed student at doctoral level to
an independent researcher for leadership position, particularly in academia. A
post-doctoral stint also provides an opportunity to acquire new skills, broaden
one's horizon and offers a platform for transiting into cross-disciplinary areas.
Experience in other parts of the world has shown that university faculty is best
inducted from among candidates who had a year or two of post-doctoral
training and is generally considered an essential requirement. Mentoring for
independent research is an indispensable element of post-doctoral training. Top
rated institutions in our country which value research also follow this practice
but it has not permeated widely. Leading research groups around the world
usually have a good mix of post-doctoral fellows and doctoral students with the
former bringing in a level of experience and maturity. However, in our country
post-doctoral research culture has not caught on and is practiced only
sporadically in a few selected places. Ironically, Ph. D's from leading
institutions in India, particularly in basic sciences prefer seeking post-doctoral
positions overseas. Within the country, a pdf position is mistakenly viewed as a
mere parking opportunity while scouting for a regular appointment. |
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