E B exp( B ) Total publications 1.01 0.53 2.75 (0.97–7.80)* First-author publications 1.27 0.59 3.57 (1.12–11.35)* Courses 0.01 0.23 1.10 (0.70–1.74) Students mentored 0.13 0.11 1.14 (0.91–1.43) Discipline 1.66 0.79 5.27 (1.11–24.87)* Open in a new tab * p < 0.05. Because scientific publications are a primary measure of the quality of an applicant for a faculty position, this number was quantified from each of the study participants and aligned with the actual position attained after completing the program. Results indicate that the number of publications varied depending on the type of academic position obtained ( Figure 1 ). Scholars who attained tenure-track faculty positions had a greater number of publications (mean = 7.5, median = 6) compared with scholars who transitioned into non–tenure-track or nonacademic positions (mean = 5.6, median = 5), which approached significance (analysis of variance [ANOVA], F = 3.25, p = 0.075). This result is not surprising, since most tenure-track positions require evidence of research productivity at the time of application with the expectation of continue publishing as faculty. Figure 1. Open in a new tab Distribution of the number of publications as a function of type of career position. Mean indicated by horizontal bar. F/URM/D, female, underrepresented racial minority, and/or disability status. Comparison of number of publications between non–tenure-track outcome and tenure-track outcomes approached significance (ANOVA, F = 3.25, p = 0.075). We investigated the diversity composition of the different career outcomes of SPIRE scholars ( Figure 1 ). For clarity, the dichotomous comparisons (i.e., males, non-URMs, and WRM) are not shown. For SPIRE scholars who attained academic faculty positions (instructors/teaching professors plus tenure-track faculty in positions that balance teaching/research plus tenure-track faculty at R1 institutions), 69% were female (45 out of 65) 29% were URM (19 out of 65), and 85% (55 out of 65) This study examines the factors that promote the transition of postdocs into academic careers and increase diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Data indicate that SPIRE scholars ( n = 77) transition into faculty positions at three times the national average with a greater proportion of underrepresented racial minorities (URMs) and females represented among SPIRE scholars. Logistic regression models indicate that significant predictors are the intended career track at the start of the postdoctoral training and the number of publications. The postdoctoral training experience is intended to enhance a scientist’s research skills, professional development, and independence. There is a need for more research and reporting of Reports have shown that an average 19.4% of all doctoral recipients across science, engineering, and health hold tenured and tenure-track faculty positions 3–5 yr after receipt of their degrees ( NSF, 2016 ). In addition, and even more pronounced after the economic downturn of 2008, some view the postdoctoral time period as a holding pattern that does not have a defined timeline for postdoctoral scholars waiting for academic positions to become available ( Powell, 2015 ). Several factors are associated with transition into academic positions. Because scientific publications are a primary measure of the quality of an applicant for a faculty position, this number was quantified from each of the study participants and aligned with the actual position attained after completing the program. Results indicate that the number of publications varied depending on the type of academic position obtained ( Figure 1 ). Scholars who attained tenure-track faculty positions had a greater number of publications (mean = 7.5, median = 6) compared with scholars who transitioned into non–tenure-track or nonacademic positions (mean = 5.6, median = 5), which approached significance (analysis of variance [ANOVA], F = 3.25, p = 0.075). Overall, the proportion of scholars with known career outcomes ( n = 77) who obtained tenure-track faculty and academic track positions before 2008 was slightly higher at 80% than post-2008 at 65%; however, this difference was not significant (χ 2 = 2.31, p = 0.13; Figure 2B ). Thus, data show that postdoctoral scholars completing the SPIRE program continue to attain faculty positions at a higher rate compared with PhD holders with up to 5 yr since degree completion (19.4%; NSF, 2016 ; Figure 2B ). Predictors of Career Outcomes The data in this study support previous findings indicating that the factors predicting a successful transition into faculty positions are 1) the postdoctoral scholars’ intended career track when they enter their postdoctoral position, 2) the total number of scientific publications, and 3) the number of first-author scientific publications they produced during their graduate and postdoctoral training. Previous research indicates that the decisions postdocs make about their career trajectories mid–graduate studies often predict their subsequent success as faculty within STEM disciplines ( Fuhrmann et al. , 2011 ; Gibbs et al. , 2015 ). Insights about Broadening Participation Career outcomes reported from our study are particularly striking in the context of workforce diversity, since the sample group included a larger percentage of female and URM postdoctoral scholars than the national sample. Female SPIRE scholars obtained academic faculty positions, inclusive of instructors/lecturers through tenure-track faculty, at a higher rate (45 out of 65, 69%; Figure 1 ) when compared with a national sample (34%; table 9–22 in NSF, 2016 ) and when compared with female assistant professors in the life sciences ( Ceci et al. , 2014 ). For a postdoctoral scholar exploring career positions beyond the traditional research-only tenure-track faculty option, finding the right match with a desired career position will ultimately lead to more career satisfaction.