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I would guess the situation applies to everywhere. However, I'm not sure how it is in India and China. I have known people doing their 2nd postdocs or more. Yes, you are right in that it is means to get specialized knowledge. However, while most of the bright students are encouraged to pursue a research career only a few are rewarded. Industries are not keen in hiring a postdoc and as the NATURE article says only 10% are hired for teaching. Govts.' redtape and cuts along with nepotism, corruption and protectionism mean that many postdocs are left out. Ex. India. So, I think, research career (PhD and Postdoc) may be a very bad idea from an employment perspective... It is a very grim picture