Use doctoral student to describe a person who is enrolled in a program and working toward a doctorate. Use doctorate to describe the degree. Note: Do not use PhD to describe the degree. Do not use Dr. as a title except in special circumstances.
A Juris Doctor (JD) is a professional degree.
Postdoctoral appointments are held by individuals who have recently earned a doctorate, typically within the past eight years.
Use postdoctoral fellow for those primarily engaged in research and postdoctoral scholar for those primarily engaged in teaching.
See alumni for guidance on using PhD after a name.