Examining funding policies for postdoctoral researchers in life sciences: a case study of Shandong University.

Abstract

Postdoctoral researchers in life sciences confront distinct challenges, including extended training duration resulting from the inherently lengthy research cycles associated with their specialized research subjects and experimental materials. Based on national postdoctoral policies and comparison of funding policies between China and the United States, we focus on postdoctoral researchers in life sciences at the School of Life Sciences, Shandong University. Our analysis reveals how current university funding policies constrain the training process of postdoctoral researchers in this field. To address these limitations, we propose a coordinated reform strategy, including reinforcing ideological and political guidance, extending funding durations, establishing cost-sharing mechanisms, and implementing incentives for major achievements. These reforms aim to improve the quality of postdoctoral training and provide policy insights for optimizing the research talent development system in "Double First-Class" universities.