untitled

and inexpensive, and the Internet facilitates

an in-depth investigation into the lab, the

institute, the successes of former lab mem-

bers, and the local amenities. European labs

are happy to host American postdocs, espe-

cially those with a good pedigree. Having a

native English speaker in the lab can also

boost the overall productivity of the lab sim-

ply by having a ready editor for manuscripts.

Be prepared to serve as such.

Choosing a Sponsor

The same tactics apply when choosing a men-

tor in Europe as when choosing one in the

United States.^1 Successful Eurodocs consis-

tently indicate that they seek internationally

known labs. They choose sponsors with a

demonstrated ability to recruit and train for-

eign postdocs. Consider how many foreign

postdocs are currently in the lab. Assess the

potential sponsor’s track record for helping

them to become independent. Find out how

the lab is funded. Is there technical support

for postdocs? How about teaching opportu-

nities? Contact former postdocs for recom-

mendations. If your ultimate goal is to head

your own lab, you will need to know how

your sponsor deals with postdocs when they

leave; is it easy to take reagents and projects?

If you are considering several potential

European sponsors, you probably want more

direct exposure to facilitate your decision. A

European tour may be especially important if

you are including a spouse and/or children

in your adventure. This might seem prohibi-

tively expensive, but outside funding is

sometimes available. One way to do this is to

prepare a seminar that highlights your grad-

uate work. Diplomatically inquire whether

the institute would provide partial reim-

bursement if you give a formal seminar dur-

ing your visit to the institute. A sponsor may

consider funding a part of the trip and pro-

viding accommodations. You can fund the

entire trip with several sponsors.

Not All Institutes

Are Created Equal

Choose an institute with a large international

presence. Some examples are the European

Molecular Biology Labs (EMBL) in

Heidelberg, universities like Cambridge or

Basel, or national institutes (Pasteur, Max

Planck) that regularly train foreign scientists

from Europe and other countries. Such insti-

tutes may greatly ease and streamline help

with immigration, visas, housing, banking

and language courses. Some operate with

English as the official scientific language:

this is a must for those individuals that carry

foreign language null alleles.

Funding

It is easy to find sponsors that have funding

for a postdoc position, but it is always prefer-

able to have your own funding in hand. If you

are going to a top lab and have a decent proj-

ect with the backing of your sponsor, your

chances of obtaining an internationally

If you are going to a top lab and

have a decent project with the

backing of your sponsor, your

chances of obtaining an

internationally portable

fellowship are very good.

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY

CHAPTER 5 • POSTDOC ISSUES 169

A European tour may be

especially important if you are

including a spouse and children

in your adventure.