I have visited some mathematics departments that offer “teaching postdoc” positions.\u00a0 Clearly, this is a 2-3 year position that involves more teaching than a ‘standard’ postdoc. So, what exactly are these teaching postdocs positions and what are their benefits? The most common pitch for a teaching postdoc is that it trains you to prepare for a tenure-track job at a four-year college.\u00a0 These postdocs are for people who seek a career in teaching.<\/p>\n
The idea seems appealing to most people that are looking for jobs and especially to those who enjoy teaching. It might seem that you get the best of both worlds: you get a postdoc and you get to teach! However, I think it is important to know that a person who accepts a teaching postdoc is instantaneously making a career choice.\u00a0 The position typically carries a substantial teaching load, like 3 courses per semester.\u00a0 This is softened slightly by requiring only two preparations each semester (teaching two sections of the same course).\u00a0 Ambitiously, you might think that there will be some time left to do research, but the reality is that there is not enough time for you to remain competitive for research faculty positions later.\u00a0 Yes, there will be some exceptional people that can manage both sides of this equation, but that is not the norm.\u00a0 You should recognize that you have put all your eggs in the teaching basket and you will be competitive only in the teaching school market.<\/p>\n
If this is what you want as a career, the teaching postdoc can offer several benefits. For instance:<\/p>\n
I have to stress that it is up to you to make these happen.\u00a0 I know teaching postdocs that have not been visited in class or have been visited but received no valuable feedback.\u00a0 When this happens, talk to the department Chair and ask for someone else to visit your classes. Think of the fact that you will need excellent teaching recommendations when you leave and so you need faculty who know first-hand how you teach.\u00a0 The danger of teaching postdocs is that, without proper mentoring, they can degenerate into an instructor-like position without guidance and without much feedback. Ironically, this is especially true if you are a decent teacher and the department receives no complaints from your students. Teaching postdocs are often departmental postdocs and it can happen that no particular faculty member is designated as your supervisor.<\/p>\n
It is up to you to make sure it is clear who your faculty supervisor is and that he or she will write a letter of recommendation for you later.\u00a0 Make sure some type of helpful evaluation takes place at least annually and that opportunities for you to grow as a teacher are available to you.<\/p>\n
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