Generally women scientists and engineers are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed than their male counterparts. Fewer women than men are employed in industry and those few are unlikely to be in management positions. Women's salaries are generally lower. Access to support networks.
Postdoctoral appointments are special because they bridge the gap between the Ph.D. and employment.
The percentage of U.S. citizens planning to accept postdoctoral positions prior to employment increased significantly between 1970 an 1985 but remained relatively stable up to 1990. A research appointment - extension of standard research assistantship position. Postdoctoral appointments are often prestigious and are sometimes viewed as a sort of glorious interlude between graduate study and permanent employment. However it is increasingly difficult to find qualified young people to work as postdoctoral fellows since fewer Ph.D.s are going into science. A common problem faced by postdocs is the low compensation.