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Table 76. Postdoc status of U.S. residing doctoral scientists and engineers, by years since doctorate and broad field of doctorate: 2017

Years since doctorate and status of postdoctoral appointmenta All employed Science Engineering Health
Total Biological, agricultural and environmental life sciences Computer and information sciences Mathematics and statistics Physical sciences Psychology Social sciences
Number SE Number SE Number SE Number SE Number SE Number SE Number SE Number SE Number SE Number SE
Doctorate recipient 815,100 1,400 612,450 1,500 206,900 925 27,550 300 35,200 500 130,000 800 113,950 750 98,850 775 164,650 850 37,950 425
Postdoctoral appointment in 2017 25,000 700 20,650 650 13,650 500 150 75 600 125 4,550 275 1,000 125 700 100 3,500 275 850 150
≤ 5 134,300 625 94,800 650 34,550 525 6,650 250 5,600 225 18,200 350 13,700 325 16,100 350 31,200 525 8,250 300
Postdoctoral appointment in 2017 20,350 600 16,550 550 10,600 400 150 75 550 125 3,800 250 850 100 650 100 3,000 250 750 125
6–10 years 143,200 800 104,450 875 38,950 600 6,550 275 6,400 325 20,100 425 16,100 375 16,350 450 31,650 575 7,100 275
Postdoctoral appointment in 2017 3,750 300 3,400 275 2,550 225 D D D D 600 125 S S S S 300 100 100 50
11–15 years 116,050 775 86,300 800 31,250 575 4,150 250 5,100 325 16,000 500 15,150 425 14,700 400 23,000 525 6,750 275
Postdoctoral appointment in 2017 500 150 400 100 250 100 D D D D S S D D D D S S D D
> 15 years 421,550 1,500 326,850 1,500 102,150 975 10,200 350 18,100 450 75,750 700 68,950 825 51,700 725 78,800 1,025 15,850 400
Postdoctoral appointment in 2017 400 125 300 100 250 100 D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Codes used in data tables: * = suppressed when population estimate < 25. D = suppressed to avoid disclosure of confidential information. na = not applicable. S = suppressed for reliability; coefficient of variation exceeds publication standards.
SE = standard error.
a A postdoc is a temporary position awarded in academe, industry, nonprofit organizations, or government primarily for gaining additional education and training in research.
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. Postdoc status is reported for principal job as of survey reference date (1 February 2017). Years since doctorate were calculated as academic years since doctorate attainment. Residence location is based on reported living location on 1 February 2017.
SOURCE: National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Doctorate Recipients: 2017.