Unveiling the Hidden Pathways to Postdoc Job Satisfaction: An fsQCA Study of Motivational Factors

• In Event: Transforming Postdoctoral and Early Career Pathways

Abstract

Postdoctoral researchers serve as the backbone of global scientific progress, yet persistent discontent within this group undermines both their retention rates and research output. While previous studies have identified various factors influencing postdoctoral satisfaction, the complex interplay among these factors remains insufficiently explored. This study bridges this gap by applying Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory within a configurational framework to investigate how combinations of motivational factors enhance postdoctoral job satisfaction. Using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) on data from the 2023 Nature Global Postdoctoral Survey dataset, the study identified eight distinct configurational pathways—five associated with high satisfaction and three with low satisfaction. These findings revealed the complex and interdependent causal relationships between motivational factors and postdoctoral job satisfaction.

Author

• Bing Xiaoyi, Hunan Normal University