Why do postdoctoral fellows intend to leave? An empirical analysis based on a global survey

In recent years, given the uncertain prospects, postdoctoral fellows’ intention to leave has increased significantly. Understanding the factors that influence postdoctoral fellows' intention to leave is crucial for devising effective strategies to reduce turnover rates. Drawing on Job Characteristics Model, this study explored the predictive effect of job characteristics (job independence and job interest) on intention to leave among postdoctoral fellows, and the mediating effect of sense of personal accomplishment and the moderating effect of mental health support on this relationship. Data from 6382 postdoctoral fellows in the 2020 Nature Survey were analyzed by hierarchical regression and bootstrapping. Results show that two situational job characteristics (job independence and job interest) negatively associate with intention to leave; sense of personal accomplishment mediates the association between two situational job characteristics (job independence and job interest) and intention to leave. Moreover, mental health support moderates the association between job interest and sense of personal accomplishment, but does not moderate the association between job independence and sense of personal accomplishment. This study has significant theoretical and practical implications as the findings extend Job Characteristic Model in some ways and deepen our understanding of the intention to leave among postdoctoral fellows.