National Postdoctoral Association

Resources on Becoming a Postdoc

• Finding the Perfect Postdoc Position
  Guidance on considerations when choosing the best postdoc position for yourself.
  • Read an interview with the NPA's Executive Director about seeking a postdoc.
• Going in With Your Eyes Open: Questions to Ask About Postdoctoral Appointments
  Guidance on important questions to ask when selecting your postdoc position, particularly for postdocs who will be visa holders in the U.S.
• Considerations for Selecting Your Postdoc Position
  A slide presentation from the NPA leadership.
• Career Planning Resources
  This section contains a wealth of information compiled by the NPA from choosing the perfect postdoc position to obtaining funding, resume building skills and information on alternative careers.
• Overview of Selected Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities

Other Resources

• Finding the Right Mentor
  A slide presentation from Dr. Robert Dooling, a P.I. at the University of Maryland.
• The Science Alliance for Students and Postdocs
  Housed at the New York Academy of Science, this site has a wealth of career development resources and events.
• International Graduate Students: Conflicts between Security and Science in the issuing of visas
  A slide presentation by John V. Richardson Jr., Ph.D., Associate Dean, UCLA Graduate Division.
• Special Offer on Lab Essentials
  Several Lab Essentials publications from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press are of interest to postdocs and a discount is offered to NPA members.
• Council of Graduate Schools Resources
  Resources available from Council of Graduate Schools (CGS).
• AAMC GREAT Group Resources
  Resources available from the Association of American Medical Colleges Group on Graduate Research, Education, and Training (AAMC GREAT Group).
• Individual Development Plans (IDP) at FASEB
  This working document can help you to define your career goals.
• Doctors Without Orders
  Results of Sigma Xi's survey of 7600 postdocs at 46 US institutions.  Very interesting discussion of salaries, training, and administrative oversight.
• NIH Kirschstein-NRSA Awards Stipend Levels
  The NIH has stipend levels for postdocs supported by Kirchstein-NRSA fellowships. Many schools use these levels as a guideline for postdoc salaries. (Note: these are not guarentees for a stipend UNLESS you are a Kirchstein-NRSA awardee.)
• Join the NPA!
  Graduate Student Membership Information