For a long time, the postdoctoral system in Chinese universities has been regarded as having the function of both education and employment. Thus, although big progress has been made in academic achievements, the postdoctoral education mechanism and employment mechanism have not produced corresponding positive effects. On the contrary, they have led to the formalization of personnel education and the wanton expansion of postdoctoral employment and other practical problems. The two functions actually took the edge off each other, which was not conducive to the post-doctoral professional development, and also failed to promote fairness and justice in the reform of the employment system. China's postdoctoral system has been developed on the basis of the experience of the United States. Analyzing the differences in the promotion system, application of labor standards and post-doctoral management between China and the United States could provide reference for China in its postdoctoral education and employment. Under the current postdoctoral system, China should highlight the function of labor employment, avoid the impractical design of personnel education, establish an employment mechanism that meets the needs of the diversified postdoctoral career development, and at the same time promote the reform of the employment system in universities.