Sources of NSF data on postdoctoral scholars
Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR): Provides longitudinal data on individuals who received their doctorate degrees in science, engineering, or health fields from institutions. The SDR does not include data on postdocs who received their Ph.D. outside the U.S. and therefore significantly under-represents the number of postdocs working in the U.S. It is the only national source of data on “former” postdocs. This survey includes information on employment, work-related training, postdoc status, demographics, and job satisfaction. The data from this survey are combined with data from the National Survey of College Graduates and National Survey of Recent College Graduates [the three surveys comprise NSF’s Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT)] and linked to the Survey of Earned Doctorates, from which the sampling frame is constructed. The SDR is conducted every two years and follows participants until age 76.
Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED): Provides data on the number and characteristics of research doctorate degree recipients from all accredited institutions. All individuals receiving their doctorate degree are asked to complete the survey by their degree-granting institution. The SED includes information on academic institution, postgraduate plans (including whether degree recipients intend to pursue postdoctoral training), source of financial support, educational history, field of degree, and demographics. The SED is conducted annually.
Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates (GSS): Provides data on the number and characteristics of graduate students and postdocs in science, engineering, and health fields enrolled at U.S. academic institutions. The GSS includes information on institution, field, postdoc status, mechanism and source of support, and demographics. It does not include data on postdocs working in industry, government, or other non-academic research institutions. This survey is completed annually by academic department officials, not by postdocs themselves. Since many institutions do not have centralized data collection mechanisms for their postdocs, the GSS is considered to be an under-estimate of the total postdoc population in the U.S.
NSF reports based on the SDR, SED, and GSS
Characteristics of Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in the United States: Provides U.S. demographic and employment information for doctorate recipients in science and engineering. This report typically includes the following data tables relevant to postdocs:
Doctoral scientists and engineers employed in postdocs, by field of doctorate
Doctoral scientists and engineers employed in postdocs, by field of doctorate and selected characteristics
Doctoral scientists and engineers employed as postdocs, by occupation
Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering: Provides data on the number and characteristics of science and engineering graduate students and postdocs at U.S. institutions. This report typically includes the following data tables relevant to postdocs:
Postdoctoral appointees in doctorate granting institutions by detailed field
Postdoctoral appointees in doctorate granting institutions by detailed field, primary source of support, and citizenship
Postdoctoral appointees in doctorate granting institutions by area of study at institutions ranked by number of postdoctoral appointees
Science and Engineering Indicators: This biennial report to Congress provides a broad range of quantitative information about U.S. science, engineering, and technology, including information on higher education and the S&E labor force. This report typically includes the following data tables relevant to postdocs:
Postdocs at U.S. universities by field and citizenship status
Source of funding for S&E postdocs
Postdocs at federally funded research and development centers
Primary reason for taking current postdoc, by field
Employment status of postdocs
Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: Presents trends in the participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science and engineering fields. This report typically includes the following data tables relevant to postdocs:
S&E postdoctoral fellows by field and sex
Definite postgraduate plans of U.S. citizens and permanent resident S&E doctoral degree recipients, by major field, sex, and location
Location and type of postgraduate activity for U.S. citizens and permanent resident S&E doctoral degree recipients with definite postgraduate plans, by race/ethnicity, sex, and disability status
Gender Differences in the Careers of Academic Scientists and Engineers: Provides information on gender differences in four academic career path outcomes: tenure-track placement, earning tenure, promotion to the rank of associate professor, and promotion to the rank of full professor.
InfoBrief Series: This series highlights select data from the NSF surveys and reports described above.
Accessing NSF data
Much of the data collected through NSF’s surveys are made available to the public through NSF’s website. These data are accessible through reports, prepared tables, table generation tools, and/or public use files.
NSF Data Publications: NSF produces a variety of detailed statistical tables, special reports, InfoBriefs, and working papers based on the SED, GSS, and SDR. See the list above for reports relevant to postdoctoral scholars or search reports here.
Prepared Tables: Data tables derived from SESTAT surveys are available on NSF’s website (as well as in published reports). Many tables can be searched by topic area, key word, or the survey from which they derive. To browse prepared tables, view “variable information” at this link.
Table Generation System: NSF’s table generation system allows users to create their own data tables using many, but not all, SESTAT variables. Extensive documentation is provided for each variable so that users may determine how the variable was constructed. Data may be exported to Excel or Word.
SESTAT Metadata Explorer: Users can view basic “counts” data for SESTAT variables and determine the survey and question with which each variable is associated. Users may export data to Excel.
WebCASPAR: This data generation system contains multi-year information from several NSF surveys, including the SED and GSS. Users can generate data tables and export information in Lotus, Excel, or SAS.
Public Use Files: Public use data files can also be downloaded or ordered on CD from the NSF website. These files allow users to conduct cross-sectional, time series, and longitudinal analyses using select data formats.
NSF/SRS Restricted-Use Data Procedures Guide: In cases where the data are not available through one of the above sources, researchers may be able to request specific tabulations from NSF. If NSF is not able to provide this information without compromising the confidentiality of survey participants, researchers can apply for a license to use the data files at NSF’s headquarters or at their academic institution. Information on accessing restricted-use data can be found in the Restricted-Use Data Procedures Guide.
For more information on NSF databases or for a list of NSF SESTAT staff, click here.
| 
