Becoming a Principal Investigator

January 28, 2025

Making the transition from a mentored postdoctoral position to directing your own research group can be very difficult, if not intimidating. Those that utilize a thoughtful and informed approach have the best chances for success. This webinar will discuss the many issues faced by investigators as they prepare for their first independent position and their early years as a junior faculty member. This includes new skill sets to acquire as well as previously unfamiliar career milestones to achieve. Included in the discussion are practical suggestions to meet these challenges.

Speaker: Jaime S. Rubin, Ph.D., vice chair for investigator development, professor of medical sciences, Department of Medicine, Columbia University

Applying a Project Management Lens to your Job Search

February 25, 2025

Searching for jobs can be daunting! To make the process of finding your next position more manageable, we will learn about project management principles and how they can be applied to finding and securing a job. Specifically, we will learn to treat job search as a “special project" and map the search to the five stages of project management: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closing.

Speaker: Pallavi Eswara, M.S., director of postdoctoral affairs, Boston University

Designing Your Life in the United States

March 25, 2025

Moving to a new country is a challenge filled with opportunities. The presenter will share information grounded in intercultural research and practical tools to support international postdocs build a successful life in the United States.

You are the person designing this international transition. Understanding how people think and communicate and why they behave in certain ways, is essential to stay open and create thriving relationships. Intercultural understanding and practices can be strong resources when you navigate internal challenges such as increasing confidence in communication, relating to American values, and dealing with cultural shock within yourself while supporting your family members.

This presentation clarifies why developing Cultural, Somatic and Emotional Intelligences can be supportive in effectively working in multicultural environments.

Speaker: Rita Maria Brown, M.F.T., M.A., integral master coach and intercultural trainer

Navigating Uncertainty: Travel Challenges and Visa Revocations for International Postdocs and Scholars

April 22, 2025

In recent months, international postdocs and scholars have faced increasing challenges related to travel restrictions, heightened scrutiny, and visa and SEVIS revocations. This session will provide an overview of the current U.S. immigration landscape as it pertains to J-1, F-1, and other visa categories commonly held by researchers and academic professionals. We will discuss recent policy changes, common triggers for visa revocations, best practices for international travel, and steps to take if problems arise.

Speaker: Brendan Delaney, Esq., partner, Frank & Delaney Immigration Law, LLC

Surviving and Thriving in the First Year as a Faculty Member

May 27, 2025

Sponsored by Gallagher

Join us for an online webinar designed for postdocs transitioning into their first faculty position. In this webinar, we will discuss issues related to navigating the landscape of academic life, offering expert guidance on balancing teaching responsibilities, maintaining an active research agenda, strategically engaging in service, and effectively building your professional reputation. We will share practical strategies for recruiting students, engaging in reflective teaching practices, and maintaining research productivity while establishing yourself in your professional field.

Speakers: Victoria Hallinan, Ph.D., program director for professional development, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Yale University; Alark Joshi, Ph.D., professor of computer science, University of San Francisco

How to Set and Achieve Financial Goals as a Postdoc

June 24, 2025

Sponsored by Gallagher

Having any savings rate when living on a postdoc salary is a huge financial accomplishment. You are eager to make the best use of that limited flow of money—but you might be stuck in analysis paralysis. Should you save up cash? Should you pay down debt (even student loans)? Should you invest—and is that possible for postdocs who aren't employees or international postdocs? During this workshop, you will apply an eight-step framework to your own individual finances to identify your next singular financial goal.

To prepare for this workshop, visit this page.

Speaker: Emily Roberts, Ph.D., personal finance educator, Personal Finance for PhDs

Empowering Your Postdoc Journey: Strategies for Effective Communication with Advisors/Mentors

July 22, 2025

Sponsored by Seattle Children's Research Institute

This session is designed to help postdoctoral researchers build strong, collaborative relationships with their mentors. Participants will receive practical advice for setting expectations, aligning goals, and advocating for their professional growth. We will cover communication skills that postdocs can use to navigate potential challenges with their advisor.

Speakers: Wendy Crone, Ph.D., professor, engineering physics and mechanical engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison; Ellen Dobson, Ph.D., Morgridge Institute for Research; Wesley Marner, Ph.D., Morgridge Institute for Research

Becoming a Good Mentor and Mentee

August 26, 2025

Sponsored by Seattle Children's Research Institute

Mentoring is a crucial component of the higher education experience, and a strong mentoring relationship can significantly influence the success of both mentors and their mentees. Postdoctoral scholars often find themselves in a unique position, serving both as mentors to graduate students or undergraduates in a lab and as mentees in their relationship with their principal investigator (PI). This session will offer guidance on how to engage in effective mentoring interactions.

Speaker: Rhonda Sutton, Ph.D., North Carolina State University

Science Advocacy for Early-career Scientists

September 23, 2025

Sponsored by Gallagher

Speakers from the Union of Concerned Scientists will discuss how independent science and analysis can and should inform public policy to secure equitable and impactful policy outcomes for people and the planet. They’ll share their experience in engaging scientists, engineers, public health professionals, social scientists in science advocacy.

Speakers: Ceci Nakamura, senior organizer, Union of Concerned Scientists; Pallavi Phartiyal, Ph.D., vice president, Programs, Policy & Advocacy, Union of Concerned Scientists

Supporting the Next Generation of Aspiring Biomedical Entrepreneurs through the NIH

October 28, 2025 CANCELED

Sponsored by Gallagher

Over the past decade, greater numbers of early-stage researchers have sought to apply their skills towards careers in the private sector. As a result, there is a growing need for training programs that educate scientists on the intersection of business development, R&D, and regulatory approval. This session will feature several program officers from the National Institutes of Health Small Business (SBIR/STTR) Programs who will highlight training programs and resources that can equip academic researchers at all career stages with the skills they need to commercialize their lab’s discoveries and advance new biomedical technologies to the marketplace. Additionally, attendees will hear from a postdoctoral scholar who leveraged SBIR/STTR funding from the NIH to launch her career as a biomedical entrepreneur.

Speakers: Eddie Billingslea, Ph.D., small business strategy coordinator; National Institute of General Medical Sciences; Stephanie Davis, Ph.D., small business program manager, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute; Saroj Regmi, Ph.D., program director, National Cancer Institute; Adam Sorkin, P.E., small business policy manager, NIH SEED Office; Hannah Peterson, Ph.D., chief scientific officer, Aperture Bio

Imposter Syndrome

November 18, 2025

At the end of this session on better understanding Imposter Syndrome, you should be able to: (1) Interpret your scores from the self-assessment, (2) Define the Imposter Syndrome and its characteristics, (3) Recognize how the Imposter Syndrome can impede career progress, (4) Use practical tools to mitigate feelings of Imposter Syndrome, (5) Help others who have feelings of Imposter Syndrome.

Speaker: Maureen Gannon, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Strategies for Navigating a Competitive Job Market

December 16, 2025

Finding and securing a position requires more than just submitting applications in any job market. When there is a lot of competition for available openings, it is even more crucial to understand your core needs, communicate your value effectively, and approach your search strategically. In this session, we will review strategies for creating a targeted yet flexible job search that can help you to successfully identify and connect with opportunities that meet your key priorities and evolve with you personally and professionally.

Speaker: Heather Dillon, career and professional development program manager, Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs, Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, University of California, San Diego