News >>

University of Miami Picked No. 2 in the World by Postdoctoral Fellows

2/7/2003

The University of Miami was named the second best institution in the world by postdoctoral fellows taking part in an international survey conducted by The Scientist, a news magazine about the life sciences.

The magazine posted a Web-based survey called "Best Places for Postdocs" and invited fellows worldwide to assess their postdoctoral experience by indicating their level of agreement with 34 positive statements about factors ranging from faculty support to compensation to quality of life. The only school to finish above the University of Miami was Rutgers University in New Jersey.

According to The Scientist, participants gave the University of Miami high marks for the quality of its mentors and for equitable salaries and benefits. "We have a lot of science stars, but not science superstars," said Richard Bookman, Ph.D., associate dean of graduate studies and director of the School of Medicine’s M.D.-Ph.D. program. "They have great academic pedigrees, but they don’t have boatloads of ego, so they may pay more attention to their postdocs than those at other institutions."

University of Miami postdoc Jennifer McCafferty explained the Miami difference to The Scientist, saying, "Most principal investigators are happy to get good postdocs and do what they can to make it attractive to come and then stay in Miami."

And staying in Miami isn’t so bad -- the area’s climate and beautiful surroundings boosted the university’s popularity, according to the survey. The city’s international flavor also played a big role, which doesn’t surprise James Wyche, Ph.D., vice provost and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "A majority of people in Miami have Latin American roots," Wyche said in an interview with The Scientist. "Miami gives foreign postdocs an easier entry into U.S. culture than other cities may be able to provide."

Recently the University of Miami School of Medicine took steps to make its advanced research training programs even better, by establishing the Postdoctoral Programs Office, which is committed to addressing the training needs of both M.D. and Ph.D. postdocs.