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Expected outcomes for a 1-2 year postdoc?

In our August "how can we help you?" thread, a reader asks:

I would appreciate some advice on the expected outcome for a 1-2 year Postdoc position. I am currently working on a proposal for a position that is advertised for one year with the possibility of an extension, research only with optional teaching. I want to specify the expected outcome in the proposal but I am not sure how much output is expected for a position that basically only lasts one year. It is not enough time to write an entire book (and I am not sure I want to turn my suggested research project into one), but maybe one paper would be too little? I would appreciate any experience, from "both sides" – successful applicants as well as committee members. Thank you!

Good question. I don't have experience applying to postdocs like this, so unfortunately I can't offer any advice. However, William Peden submitted the following reply:

The rule of thumb that I have been told and used successfully is two papers per year. The expectation, if search committees are at all sensible, is that developing these two papers will lead to further outputs as you research the area; the total number will depend on the amount of time for research, as well as the duration of the project. So you could give quick summaries of the two main papers, and note clearly that these will lead to further contributions building on the new ground opened up by the two main papers.

This sounds reasonable. Does anyone else have any helpful tips or other insights?

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6 responses to “Expected outcomes for a 1-2 year postdoc?”

  1. sahpa

    I am in a European postdoc, and two articles/year is also roughly what’s expected of us. I basically second everything William Peden says. You might also think and say something about how these particular bits of research might help set you up to apply for third-party funding (if this postdoc is in Europe, where this stuff is very important even to philosophers).

    Reply
  2. euro

    I will agree with the others. I am also in Europe, and I hired a post doc not too long ago. Two papers a year would be a minimum, and if you are working on someone’s project, then you should count on writing some co-authored papers. In that case, a higher volume is expected. So if you co-author two papers with one other author, that will count roughly as equal to one single authored paper. But, hopefully, you will learn a lot in co-author, in how to research, how to write, and in terms of subject knowledge as well.

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  3. postdoc

    I agree that 2 papers in a year is reasonable. In your proposal, I would indicate how these 2 papers will serve as a foundation for a larger book project. This shows that you have a bigger vision for your project than just one or two articles.

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  4. Michel

    Seems right to me too, although whether you’ll succeed in publishing two (as opposed to writing two) in a year is an open question, given the time ot takes to shepherd papers to acceptance. So, promise the world, adjust your personal expectations accordingly!
    I had a two-year postdoc. I think I had one acceptance by the end of year one, then three or four in year two.

    Reply
  5. Nick

    I’m in a similar position and applied for a SSHRC postdoc (opted for the 2-year length). Just to share what I did for reference: I stated that my aim is to publish 2 peer-reviewed articles during this period, disseminate knowledge via workshops/conferences, a public philosophy piece to a wider audience (e.g., The Conversation, Blog of the APA), and a future aim to use this research as a basis for a book project (similar to what postdoc said above).
    With all this said, do check if the postdoc opportunity has guidelines for this section of your proposed work and see how you can tailor your expected outcomes to their criteria. And keep in mind what the adjudicating committee thinks would be feasible within the 1-2 year time period. Best of luck!

    Reply
  6. Janella Baxter

    As someone who did two postdocs in the U.S. I do not agree that 2 papers a year is reasonable — especially if the papers are not very strong. 1 strong paper a year is perfectly fine.

    Reply

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