Configurational impact of motivational factors on postdoctoral job satisfaction

Abstract

Postdoctoral researchers play a critical role in advancing global science, yet widespread job dissatisfaction threatens both their retention and research productivity. Although prior studies have identified discrete factors affecting postdoctoral job satisfaction, the complex, configurational relationships among them remain poorly understood. To bridge this gap, our study draws on Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory and employs fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to explore how different configurations of key motivational factors jointly shape postdoctoral job satisfaction. Analyzing data from the 2023 Nature Global Postdoctoral Survey, we identified eight distinct configurational pathways—five associated with high satisfaction and three with low. These findings provide actionable evidence for institutions to tailor support strategies that better serve postdoctoral needs.