The POSTDOCket

The NPA quarterly newsletter covering news items and features of interest to the postdoctoral community.

Annual Report

A yearly review of NPA accomplishments, donors, and finances.

2016 - 2017 - 2018 - 2019 - 2020 - 2021 - 2022 - 2023

NPA Institutional Policy Reports

The NPA conducts a nationwide survey of its members every three years to determine the state of policies and practices among postdoc institutions. From the results, a subsequent report and database are compiled. Our vision is that this data will inform policy makers, institutions, and postdoc offices about the significant needs of our postdoctoral scholars. We believe the data on the stipend levels, insurance benefits, appointment policies, collection of outcomes data, and more will enable postdoc offices to advocate for better programs and services, and identify best practices.

NPA Member Needs Assessment Reports

Annually, the NPA conducts a survey of its membership, asking respondents to rate the impact on their lives caused by elements of their positions and experiences, grouped into several categories: compensation and benefits, roles and responsibilities, career trajectory, presence of equitable, inclusive and empowered workspaces, and PDO functions.

Parents in the Pipeline: Retaining Postdoctoral Researchers with Families

This report is based on a nationwide survey of postdoctoral scholars with children and provides a comprehensive look at the breadth of problems faced by postdoc parents while pursuing careers in academia. The report, prepared by the Center for WorkLife Law based at the University of California Hastings College of Law in association with the NPA, also makes recommendations for implementing institutional policies that would include parental benefits such as maternity leave, sick days, and access to on-campus childcare.

Elsevier Advancing Postdoc Women Guidebook

The NPA published the Advancing Postdoc Women Guidebook to provide essential information on programs and resources available to postdoc women as they progress in their careers. The postdoctoral position - a temporary period of training and mentored research following the receipt of a doctoral degree - represents a critical transition point in which the numbers of women scientists and engineers declines significantly. With this guidebook, the NPA hopes to stem this decline by providing solutions to some of the biggest obstacles to women’s career advancement.

From Ph.D. to Professoriate: The Role of the Institution in Fostering the Advancement of Postdoc Women

A resource book developed by the NPA as part of NPA ADVANCE in 2013. The book provides an overview of our current understanding of the various factors impeding postdoc women's continuation in academia and recommended practices that have shown promise for aiding these women in overcoming these obstacles. The goal is to help focus institutions' efforts to support postdoc women to foster their career advancement.