Responsible Conduct of Research Toolkit
The responsible conduct of research (RCR) is a critical part of a postdoc's professional development and everyday research practice. This toolkit provides guidance and materials for developing RCR programs, including articles on designing a program that is pertinent to postdocs, marketing such programs to postdocs, and informational resources on individual content areas in RCR. The toolkit is provided as part of the NPA's Bring RCR Home project which offers support and seed grants to postdoc offices and associations interested in establishing RCR programs for postdocs at their home institutions.
Recommendations for Postdoctoral Policies and Practices
An excellent resource for institutional leaders, postdoc office administrators, principal investigators and postdoc association leaders, these recommendations reflect the best current thinking on those policies and practices that every institution should consider for enhancing the postdoctoral training experience.
Postdoc Association Toolkit
Postdoctoral Associations (PDAs) are a vibrant and dynamic source of support for postdoctoral scholars at their home institutions and nationally. The NPA's PDA Toolkit is intended to serve as a resource guide to assist postdocs and their allies in starting and sustaining an effective PDA. In this toolkit, NPA members will find a wealth of information, including best practices shared from PDAs nationwide, suggestions on how to gain support from key institute administrators, strategies for conducting surveys and methods for affecting institutional policies. The PDA Toolkit is a member benefit of the NPA. View special article, Starting & Maintaining a PDA, by Steven Wendell.
International Postdoc Survival Guide
The Survival Guide is intended to help international postdocs navigate life and work in the United States. It includes information on how the postdoctoral training experience in the U.S. differs from other countries, tips on how to cope with personal and professional challenges as an international postdoc, guidance on the various types of visas, questions to ask prospective mentors and institutions before accepting a position in the U.S., illuminating personal stories by international postdocs from various countries, and a comprehensive database of web resources for postdocs from outside the U.S.
Institutional Policy Database
Data on postdoctoral policies at more than 100 research institutions is available in this searchable database. Policy categories include: the appointment process, term limits, postdoc classification systems, grievance procedures, minimum stipends/salary, benefits, leave policies, exit and other surveys, along with hyperlinks to postdoc offices, associations and relevant documents.
Postdoc Office Toolkit
This compendium of best practices from postdoc offices at research institutions throughout the U.S. is a joint project with AAMC's GREAT Group. Featuring more than 20 separate articles with direct links to model language and sample materials. The toolkit includes articles on such topics as:
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Developing a Definition of a Postdoctoral Scholar
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Hiring Staff Members
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Budget Structure
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Developing a Postdoc Database
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Creating a Standardized Appointment Process
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Evaluating Postdocs
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Conducting Exit Interviews/Surveys
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Establishing Unified Benefits for Postdoctoral Scholars
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Creating an Orientation Package
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Developing a Postdoc Handbook
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Addressing Diversity and Minority Issues
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Providing Career Development Resources
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Providing Complementary Skills Development Programs
Recommended Postdoctoral Policies and Practices for Disciplinary and Professional Societies
This new document provides guidance to disciplinary and professional societies in addressing the training and professional development needs of postdoctoral scholars, while also encouraging the systematic collection of data on postdoctoral members of the societies. In the coming months, the NPA will be working in consultation with the leading disciplinary and professional societies to implement these recommendations, while also developing a database on model programs and services offered for postdocs by disciplinary and professional societies.
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