This paper uses the analysis of metaphors to study the conceptions of research held by a sample of post-doctoral researchers at five Australian universities. It is based on an analysis of the metaphors the researchers use in describing their research. The study produced three concepts that we have labelled ‘research is exploring’, ‘research is building’ and ‘research is living’. This study is unusual in its focus on post-doctoral researchers and the use of metaphors to identify their conceptions of research.