| This quarterly communication is intended for faculty and staff who support and engage with postdoctoral fellows at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
We sincerely appreciate your continued dedication to fostering the success and development of our postdoctoral community.
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National Postdoc Appreciation Week
September 15 - 19
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| National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) will take place September 15 - 19. A full roster of events has been planned, with more events to be announced closer to the week.
- Postdoc Appreciation Week Kick-Off at Vanderbilt Women's Soccer | Friday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m.
- Postdoc Appreciation Breakfast | Monday, September 15 at 9:00 a.m.
- Postdoc Headshots | Tuesday, September 16 & Wednesday, Septebmer 17
- Lightning Talks Competition in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee | Tuesday, September 16 at 12:00 p.m.
- Postdoc Family Picnic | Tuesday, Sepember 16 at 5:00 p.m.
- Morning Mentoring Roundtable with Graduate and Postdoc Academic Success | Wednesday, September 17 at 9:00 a.m.
- Cookies with the BRET Office | Wednesday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m.
- OPA at the Farmer's Market | Thursday, September 18 at 11:00 a.m.
- VPA 'Speak Easy' Talk Series | Thursday, September 18 at 5:00 p.m.
- Treats with the Women's Center | Friday, September 19 at 9:00 a.m.
- Campus Arboretum Tour with James Moore, University Landscape Architect | Friday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m.
More information and registration links can be found on the OPA website.
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19th Annual Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Symposium
The 19th Annual Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Symposium will occur on Tuesday, October 14, in the Student Life Center. This interdisciplinary one-day conference highlights postdoctoral research as well as provides a venue for networking and professional development.
Postdocs have the opportunity to present their research through either a lightning talk (brief oral presentation) or a poster presentation. The best presenters in both categories will be awarded at the closing event.
Dr. Matthew Johnson-Roberson, dean of the new College of Connected Computing, will be the keynote speaker.
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Faculty Judges Needed for Symposium
The Vanderbilt Postdoc Symposium Committee is in need of faculty of all disciplines for poster judging on the day of the symposium. Commitment would be 1 - 2 hours at various times on Tuesday, October 14. To volunteer, complete this form.
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Spring Postdoc Awards Recap
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, in partnership with the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association, announced the 2025 award winners at the Spring Postdoc Awards Ceremony on May 21. The event highlighted the vital contributions that postdocs make across various disciplines at the university.
2025 Award Winners
Postdoc Mentor of the Year: Corinne Carlton-Smith
Postdoc Service Award: Lianrui Zuo
Faculty Mentor of the Year: Bennett Landman
Postdoc of the Year: Maxime Chevee
Postdoc of the Year: Lorenzo Gavassino
Outstanding Campus Partner: VUMC Office of Research
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| Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association 2025/2026 Board
Elections were held for the VPA board. The VPA Executive Board for 2025-2026 is:
President: Ronald McMillan
Vice President: Heather Hartmann
Community Building Co-Chairs: Alicia Cronin & Milene Fontes
Postdoc Advocacy Co-Chairs: Hiran Dandia & Pooja Mina
Scholarly Advancement Co-Chairs: Ashima Chopra & Rachel Spicer
Career Development Co-Chairs: Mohd Khan & Charlotte Sappo
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NIH Raising a Resilient Scientist Series
The NIH OITE is pleased to offer both Resilient Scientist Series this fall. Faculty and staff will be supported in mentoring trainees in the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences through the RAISING A RESILIENT SCIENTIST series.
There are five units in the series; each unit will consist of a 60-minute online lecture followed by a 15-minute Q&A. Lectures will run from 12:00 – 1:15 pm ET. For more information and to register, please visit the NIH webpage.
Unit 1: Communication Skills to Build Trainee Resilience | September 30, 2025
Unit 2: Promoting Trainee Resilience | October 7, 2025
Unit 3: Building a Welcoming and Collegial Research Group | October 14, 2025
Unit 4: Difficult Conversations, Conflict, and Feedback | October 21, 2025
Unit 5: The Mental Health and Well-being of Your Trainees | October 28, 2025
There is no charge for participation, but advanced registration is required. Webinars will be recorded and shared with all registrants.
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FY 2025 NIH Stipend Rates
In December 2016, a minimum salary and stipend level for all full-time postdocs was established by Vanderbilt and based on the NIH NRSA stipend recommendations. Annually, when the NIH NRSA stipend recommendations are updated, Vanderbilt’s minimum salary and stipend level for all full-time postdocs are similarly updated. Given the release on May 16, 2025 of the FY 2025 NIH Stipend Levels, the minimum payment at Vanderbilt has been increased to the rates below. This minimum payment is regardless of job classification (fellow or trainee) and funding mechanism (salary or stipend).
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| OPA Annual Report
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Annual Report for AY 2024-2025 is out now!
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Ongoing Events
Second Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.: VU New Postdoc Orientation (virtual)
Third Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.: VUMC New Postdoc Orientation (virtual)
Fourth Thursday at 9:00 a.m.: Postdoc Coffee Break (Alumni Hall 100)
Self-Paced Learning: English Language Center Academic Communication for Postdocs
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| Recognizing Postdoc Success
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs wants to recognize your postdoc's success. If they have been awarded a new fellowship, had their book accepted for publication, or accepted a faculty job offer, we want to know! Complete our Postdoc Recognition and Success form so we can celebrate their success and tell their story.
Visit the Celebrating Excellence website to see stories of current and previous postdocs.
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| Vanderbilt Postdoc Handbook
The Vanderbilt Postdoc Handbook is a resource for incoming and current postdocs as well as faculty and staff that work with the postdoc population. The handbook lists information regarding moving to Nashville, onboarding, campus resources, and institutional policies. All incoming postdocs receive the link to the handbook upon signing their appointment letters.
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Postdoc Recruiting Resources
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs provides information for prospective and incoming postdocs on our website. If faculty have postdocs visiting campus for interviews or lab visits, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is happy to meet with them for 30 minutes to discuss benefits and resources provided to postdocs. Alternatively, the OPA can set up a Teams or Zoom call with any prospective or incoming postdocs not on campus.
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Reporting Postdoc Classification Changes
If your postdoc is moving onto a training grant or individual fellowship or coming off one of those funding sources, they may undergo a classification change. This change affects their benefits. It is very important that this funding change be reported to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs as soon as possible, but no more than 30 days following the change. This can have benefit implications to the postdoc.
If you have any questions about postdoc classifications, please do not hesitate to reach out to OPA@vanderbilt.edu.
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