University Times

Pitt has been named a top workplace in a survey of postdoctoral researchers published in a recent issue of The Scientist, an international news magazine that reports on issues and events that impact the world of life scientists.

Postdoctoral researchers are young investigators who, after receiving their doctoral degrees, continue to gain experience working in the laboratory of a senior scientific mentor over several years. At the end of this period of training, successful “post-docs” are prepared to embark on careers as independent senior scientists.

This second annual postdoctoral survey by The Scientist lists the nation’s top institutions as rated by the post-docs for their quality as an encouraging, supportive mentoring environment. Pitt was named a top-tier place for research training along with noted government organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the National Institutes of Health; academic centers including the Harvard School of Public Health, and private research facilities such as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

“We are delighted to receive such recognition from our next generation of leading scientific investigators,” said Arthur S. Levine, senior vice chancellor, health sciences, and dean of Pitt’s School of Medicine. “The University of Pittsburgh strives to provide continued excellence, not only in research, but in research training, so as to nurture the young investigators who will be prepared to undertake experiments that will lead to important discoveries.”

Results of the survey, published in the Feb. 16 issue of The Scientist, were culled from 3,529 responses from postdoctoral researchers in Western Europe, Canada and the United States. Institutions were ranked based on 56 criteria in 12 categories including research resources, infrastructure, teaching and mentoring, tenure, management, compensation and technology transfer. Respondents cited 131 institutions in the United States and 37 in other countries.