Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation gets high marks from postdoctoral fellows

The foundation ranked fifth among more than 100 U.S. institutions based on surveys of thousands of postdoctoral fellows — also called postdocs.

Last year, The Scientist magazine ranked OMRF sixth.

The foundation employs about 50 postdocs, typically junior scientists who have recently completed their doctoral degrees. They customarily spend three to five years at a research institution, gaining experience and training under the guidance of senior scientists.

OMRF President Dr. Stephen Prescott said training the next generation of researchers is key to science.

“The work our postdocs do has a major impact on the quality of our science, so we focus on giving them everything they need to thrive,” Prescott said.

Scott Hooker, who serves as the foundation's human resources liaison to postdocs, said the training is aimed at helping postdocs eventually run their own labs.

Survey participants rated their institutions on 38 criteria in nine core areas, including the quality of training and mentoring, pay and benefits, and career development opportunities.