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Table 75. U.S. residing doctoral scientists and engineers employed as postdocs, by field of doctorate: 2015

Field Number SE
Postdoctoral appointees 26,750 650
Science 22,650 575
Biological/agricultural/environmental life sciences 15,200 450
Agricultural/food sciences 650 100
Biochemistry/biophysics 1,900 200
Cell/molecular biology 2,050 250
Environmental life sciences 250 50
Microbiology 1,250 125
Zoology 200 75
Other biological sciences 8,900 350
Computer/information sciences 400 100
Mathematics/statistics 650 125
Physical sciences 4,750 225
Astronomy/astrophysics 250 50
Chemistry, except biochemistry 2,200 175
Earth/atmospheric/ocean sciencesa 700 75
Physics 1,600 150
Psychology 1,050 150
Social sciences 650 125
Economics 150 75
Political sciences D D
Sociology 150 75
Other social sciences 300 75
Engineering 3,150 275
Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical engineering 150 50
Chemical engineering 300 75
Civil engineering 350 100
Electrical/computer engineering 450 100
Materials and metallurgical engineering 350 75
Mechanical engineering 400 100
Other engineering 1,150 150
Health 900 125
Codes used in data tables: * = suppressed when population estimate < 25. D = suppressed to avoid disclosure of confidential information. S = suppressed for reliability; coefficient of variation exceeds publication standards.
SE = standard error.
a Includes other physical sciences.
NOTES: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 50. Standard errors are rounded up to the nearest 25. Detail may not add to total because of rounding. A postdoc is a temporary position awarded in academe, industry, nonprofit organizations, or government primarily for gaining additional education and training in research. Postdoc status is reported for principal job as of survey reference date (1 February 2015). Residence location is based on reported living location on 1 February 2015.
SOURCE: National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 2015.