There is no research degree awarded in the U.S. higher education system following the PhD or equivalent degree. Advanced research programs do exist, however, in both the area of pure research and in the professional process by which academic faculty advance in their careers.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS
An established system of postdoctoral research studies, commonly c
alled “postdocs,” exists in most of the natural science, biomedical science, and applied science disciplines. The pursuit of postdoctoral research studies is voluntary but frequently expected as a way for new PhD holders to further establish their research credentials, participate in major professional research projects, and gain valuable experience managing major research programs and working on research teams.
Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering provides information and links to NSF studies of postdoctoral programs and participants.
Postdoctoral Education is the Association of American Universities’ links to information and data on postdoctoral studies.
PROFESSIONAL ACADEMIC FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
Academic faculty in U.S. higher education institutions typically advance through four levels en route to the status of full professor. The instructor and assistant professor levels are frequently tenure-track positions during which the faculty member is expected to prepare a body of published research and related accomplishments to present before a faculty review board in his or her discipline. If the review is successful, the assistant professor is recommended to be awarded tenure, which is usually a lifetime appointment at the beginning rank of associate professor. Tenured associate professors may subsequently advance to full professor status and may chair academic committees, supervise doctoral dissertations, and hold teaching and research chairs. The tenure system has undergone restructuring in recent years and some institutions have abandoned it entirely, but it remains the prevailing process for developing academic faculty in U.S. higher education.
National Survey of Postsecondary Faculty (NSOPF) is a comprehensive statistical analysis of faculty at U.S. postsecondary institutions.
ACE Online Information: Faculty provides links to important data sources and information relating to the current status of faculty and tenure policy in the United States.
AAUP Resources on Tenure provides information on tenure from the American Association of University Professors.
(International Affairs Office, U.S. Department of Education http://www2.ed.gov/ )
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS
An established system of postdoctoral research studies, commonly c
alled “postdocs,” exists in most of the natural science, biomedical science, and applied science disciplines. The pursuit of postdoctoral research studies is voluntary but frequently expected as a way for new PhD holders to further establish their research credentials, participate in major professional research projects, and gain valuable experience managing major research programs and working on research teams.Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering provides information and links to NSF studies of postdoctoral programs and participants.
Postdoctoral Education is the Association of American Universities’ links to information and data on postdoctoral studies.
PROFESSIONAL ACADEMIC FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
Academic faculty in U.S. higher education institutions typically advance through four levels en route to the status of full professor. The instructor and assistant professor levels are frequently tenure-track positions during which the faculty member is expected to prepare a body of published research and related accomplishments to present before a faculty review board in his or her discipline. If the review is successful, the assistant professor is recommended to be awarded tenure, which is usually a lifetime appointment at the beginning rank of associate professor. Tenured associate professors may subsequently advance to full professor status and may chair academic committees, supervise doctoral dissertations, and hold teaching and research chairs. The tenure system has undergone restructuring in recent years and some institutions have abandoned it entirely, but it remains the prevailing process for developing academic faculty in U.S. higher education.
National Survey of Postsecondary Faculty (NSOPF) is a comprehensive statistical analysis of faculty at U.S. postsecondary institutions.
ACE Online Information: Faculty provides links to important data sources and information relating to the current status of faculty and tenure policy in the United States.
AAUP Resources on Tenure provides information on tenure from the American Association of University Professors.
(International Affairs Office, U.S. Department of Education http://www2.ed.gov/ )