National Postdoc Appreciation Week
September 20-24, 2021
Join us for the 12th celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week!
The Postdoctoral Association of the University of Minnesota welcomes you to Postdoc Appreciation Week 2021 - a series of events to bring UMN postdoctoral researchers together and showcase their excellent contributions to research and the community during National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW).
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National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2021
National Postdoc Association official NPAW 2021 website: https://www.nationalpostdoc.org/page/2021NPAW
Since 2009, the NPA has sponsored National Postdoc Appreciation Day/Week to recognize the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to U.S. research and discovery. In 2010, this week was officially recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives. We are excited to announce the second virtual, multi-institutional NPAW celebration! We are continuing the tradition by working with organizations to highlight events that are open to postdocs from across the country and world.
NPA is also looking for current and former postdocs to submit short, 1 min or less, videos to be used as part of NPAW and beyond to emphasize the diversity of postdocs in the United States and the many careers they pursue. This request continues on the theme of “I Am A Postdoc” that the Postdoc Academy started in 2019. For examples of videos that can be submitted please refer to this compilation video and one from Twitter.
Lastly, don’t forget to keep your NPA membership updated by visiting this link! NPA offers a variety of great resources for postdocs, including tools for career development and mentoring. NPA membership for UMN postdocs is supported by the PDA, so join for free using this link (choose "Affiliate Individual Member, Postdoc").
MONDAY September 20th
NPAW Kickoff with the Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives
9-10:30am CST via Zoom
The Graduate School's Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives (OPI) will kick off NPAW 2021 in collaboration with the PDA and the Office of Professional Development (OPD) in the Medical School.
In response to the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases and the spread of the delta variant, the event will be held virtually on Zoom. Topics for roundtable discussions include: Mental Health and Well-being: The Postdoc Experience in the Age of COVID-19; Job Search for Academic vs. Industry Markets & How to Talk to your Advisor about Industry Jobs; and Incorporating Anti-racist Practices in Research and Teaching.
RSVP here!
NPAW Keynote Address (sponsored by NPA)
1pm Eastern | Register here
The Honorable Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation, will welcome all to this year’s event. Robert T. Pennock, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University, president, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, will follow with opening remarks at the keynote event, "" on Monday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET. Keith Micoli, Ph.D., assistant dean of postdoctoral affairs at New York University School of Medicine, will offer highlights the identities of our postdocs and their contributions to society, as well as providing career planning.
TUESDAY September 21st
Coffee hour hosted by the Office of Professional Development
Join OPD for coffee!
9am, Gortner Lab (St. Paul campus)
Connecting for Career Success (sponsored by NPA)
2pm Eastern via Zoom
Join us to meet former postdocs who have found success in their chosen professions and learn about their career journeys.
Grant Writing Workshop: Writing Fundable Grant Proposals in the Humanities and Social Sciences
3-4:30pm CST via Zoom
This workshop is for graduate students and postdocs seeking to apply for grants and fellowships within and external to the University of Minnesota. This highly interactive session will focus on general components of a proposal and strategies to increase your chances of getting funding. Examples of successful proposals for various types of funding sources will be discussed.
Register here!
Webinar: Immigration and Employment Options for Postdocs and Graduate Students
Hosted by Dunn Law Firm, LLP | 5pm via Zoom (link here)
This presentation will address the latest developments in U.S. immigration policy and respond to any questions UMN postdocs might have. The presentation covers applications for green cards (permanent residence), National Interest Waiver and Extraordinary Ability petitions, H-1B visas after graduation, and recent changes in U.S. immigration.
WEDNESDAY September 22nd
Cookies with OPD
Join OPD for a mid-day snack!
Noon, Nils Hasselmo (East Bank)
Centering Your Identity & Interests While Preparing for Your Next Career Step (sponsored by NPA & the Postdoc Academy)
1pm Eastern via Zoom | Register here
The Postdoc Academy will present a hands-on workshop along the theme of “I Am a Postdoc” with practical training on finding preferred career paths.
THURSDAY September 23rd
CBS Postdoc Coffee Morning
Just to keep the good times rolling, we are having our Postdoc Coffee Mornings hosted by CBS Postdocs - all postdocs and research associates are welcome to join us as we socialize.
9-10am via Zoom (link)
Cookies with OPD
Join OPD for a mid-day snack!
1pm, Cancer & Cardiovascular Research Building lobby
Academic Job Search: Tools, Tips, and Strategies
2-3:30pm via Zoom
Beginning an academic job search and moving into the stage of interacting with search committees, both of these processes involve many moving pieces; therefore, each comes with its own moments of confusion. The purpose of this workshop is to help you become acquainted with these processes and related practices. This short workshop will open with an overview of the job search process across different types of academic institutions, move into a presentation regarding revising CVs for various types of academic positions, and – most of all – respond to audience questions regarding academic job search processes within the US context.
Register here!
FRIDAY September 24th
Career Exploration Series: Research Careers in Industry
1:30-2:30pm via Zoom
Join the Office of Professional Development for a conversation with biomedical science PhDs who have navigated their career paths to research intensive roles in industry.
Register here!
SUNDAY September 26th
PDA BBQ
11:00am-3:00pm in person (outdoors)
Join the PDA for an outdoor BBQ to cap the end of NPAW!
Please join us with your significant other (including good friends) and kids, meet other postdocs and research associates and their family.
Come and enjoy some foods and drinks on us, hang out and play games
BOOM ISLAND PARK, SHELTER B
724 Sibley St NE Minneapolis, MN 55413
For food planning, please let us know by Friday, Sept 24th, 2021.
Event organized by UMN Postdoctoral Association and CBS Postdoc Committee. Thanks to the UMN Med School's Office of Professional Development for additional financial contribution.