What are the main differences between pursuing a postdoc vs a PhD in terms of research opportunities and career prospects?

The main difference between pursuing a postdoc and a PhD is that a PhD is a research-focused degree that typically leads to becoming an independent researcher or academic, while a postdoc is a temporary research position that provides further training and experience after completing a PhD. A PhD offers more in-depth research opportunities and can lead to more stable career prospects in academia or industry, while a postdoc allows for specialization in a specific research area and can enhance job prospects for higher-level research positions.