Dear Postdoctoral Community,
As we prepare for the start of the fall semester, I have been thinking about the energy, curiosity, and collaboration that define our community. I have also been thinking about what builds and sustains these qualities.
Graduate Education at Vanderbilt exists, in no small part, to ensure these qualities flourish – creating the conditions in which graduate students and postdoctoral scholars can learn, grow, and advance meaningful scholarship. My commitment to you is to prioritize your training, your mentorship, and the opportunities that will carry you forward as scholars, innovators, and leaders.
I am excited to see the new ideas and partnerships that emerge across our campus this year. I wish you a successful and rewarding semester and look forward to meeting many of you in the weeks ahead.
Sincerely,
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Elizabeth J. Zechmeister, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Growth Initiatives
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Dean of the Graduate School
Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science
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Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association
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Registration is Open! 20th Annual VPA Postdoc Symposium |
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Mark it in your calendars! The 20th Annual Vanderbilt Postdoc Symposium is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4 in the Student Life Center.
The VPA is pleased to announce Dr. Tara Schwetz, Senior Director, Scientific Partnerships at Danaher Corporation, and former NIH Deputy Director For Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, as the 2026 Keynote Speaker.
Registration is now open. Please use the link below to register to attend and submit your abstract. We encourage all postdocs across various disciplines to participate in this full-day, interdisciplinary event and to share their work through poster presentations or lightning talks. Abstract submissions will remain open through September 18.
Additional information regarding the full program and schedule of events will be forthcoming.
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For more information on past symposia, please visit the VPA website.
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| The VPA is always looking for current Vanderbilt Postdocs to serve as mentors for the Postdoc Buddy Program!
The goal of this program is to systematically match new, incoming postdocs with current Vandy postdocs based on multiple factors that the buddies deem fruitful for a match to help build a supportive, welcoming community! Interested? Complete this quick survey.
The VPA team will notify you when you have been matched with an incoming postdoc!
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Journal of Life Sciences (JoLS) |
Become a Postdoc Reviewer! |
The Journal of Life Sciences (JoLS) invites postdocs to join JoLS-Pub, a new platform where scientists share layperson-friendly summaries of their published research. As a reviewer, you’ll gain editorial experience, refine your science communication skills, and mentor graduate and undergraduate trainees while promoting accurate, accessible science for the public.
Key Details:
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- Role: Review 2000-word summaries that explain PubMed-indexed research in simple terms, with optional illustrations and author bios.
- Team Structure: Reviews are conducted by a postdoc-led team, with graduate and undergraduate members.
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Benefits: Enhance your career development and showcase your profile on the JoLS platform.
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Register now to join the JoLS-Pub editorial team and help bridge the gap between science and society! Encourage your trainees to register as reviewers too. You can register by emailing info@journaloflifesciences.org.
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Division of Government and Community Relations |
Simplifying community engagement, so you can invest your energy where it matters. Get Connected today! Find volunteer opportunities easily, sign-up quickly and track your service hours efficiently.
Visit vu.edu/getconnected and log in with your VUNetID to get started.
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Rachel Spicer is a postdoctoral fellow at Vanderbilt University Medical Center whose research explores how critical illness contributes to chronic inflammation and the development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Building on her interdisciplinary PhD training at Cardiff University, where she studied protein changes in Huntington’s disease, Rachel now focuses on understanding neurobiological mechanisms of brain dysfunction in clinical settings.
At Vanderbilt, she collaborates across the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Pulmonary and Critical Care, and the CIBS Center, and is actively involved in national research communities including the American Delirium Society and NIDUS. In addition to her research, Rachel is a dedicated mentor and leader, serving on the National Postdoctoral Association Engagement Committee and as the 2026-2027 Vice President of the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association.
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Office of Postdoctoral Affairs |
Celebrating 150 Years of the U.S. Postdoc—and the Scholars Shaping What's Next |
Mark your calendars for National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week (NPAW)!
Join us during the third week of September as we celebrate the invaluable contributions of postdoctoral scholars to research, innovation, education, and discovery.
This year's celebration is especially meaningful as we also commemorate the 150th anniversary of the U.S. postdoc—a milestone honoring a century and a half of postdoctoral excellence and impact.
We're planning a week of recognition, connection, and celebration. While we're still putting the finishing touches on this year's events, you can expect opportunities to celebrate our postdoctoral community, connect with colleagues, and reflect on the remarkable legacy and future of the postdoctoral experience.
Save the date: September 21–25, 2026
More details and a full schedule of events will be announced soon. We look forward to celebrating with you!
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National Postdoctoral Association
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NPA SmartSkills: Daunted by Networking? Try the Scientific Method |
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Take the intimidation out of networking and career exploration. This seminar reframes “networking” and “informational interviews” as approachable conversations that help you gather insights, explore career paths, and build meaningful professional relationships. Using a research-minded approach, participants will learn how to treat career exploration like a scientific process: asking questions, gathering information through conversations, and making informed decisions about future opportunities. Participants will leave with practical strategies and greater confidence in exploring careers and connecting with professionals. Register here for the August 25 virtual course.
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Graduate and Postdoctoral Academic Success |
Fall 2026: Co-Working Space |
The GPAS staff will offer weekly 'co-working' sessions throughout the fall semester on starting in September on Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall Graduate & Postdoc Lounge (100) for anyone to come by and work alongside them. This time can be used for writing, planning or other academic projects. Stacey or Nick will be there to discuss any goals setting or accountability questions you may have. If you are looking for a quiet space to work on projects in the company of colleagues, this is the place to stop in. They will also provide free coffee (and sometimes snacks)! See you there!
No registration required.
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Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Success |
Beyond the Professoriate: Academic Job Market Boot Camp |
August 24-28, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
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Doctoral students and postdocs entering the academic job market today face fewer available positions and significantly more competition than in previous years. In this environment, a strong application package is essential to how you are evaluated by hiring committees. But many doctoral students and postdocs are uncertain about what these documents should include — and how to write them effectively.
This five-day virtual boot camp is designed to help you build and strengthen each component of your academic application package. Each session focuses on a specific document, giving you the knowledge and strategies to present yourself clearly and professionally as an educator and scholar.
This boot camp is designed for doctoral students, PhDs, and postdocs from all academic disciplines who are preparing to apply for faculty positions.
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August 24: Cover Letters
- August 25: Research Statements
- August 26: Teaching Statements
- August 27: Teaching Portfolios
- August 28: What If I Am Not Successful This Year?
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The webinar will be held via Zoom webinar and will be recorded. Advanced registration is required.
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Unable to attend a session live? Replays will be available — register in advance to receive access.
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Fall Drop-In Hours & 1:1 Meeting Information |
Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Success (GPCS) supports academic and non-academic career and professional development of postdoctoral fellows in non-biomedical STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences disciplines.
GPCS has weekly virtual drop-in hours on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. beginning on August 27. More details can be found on Handshake (see link above).
Postdocs can request a 1:1 appointment with Dr. Keeton via Handshake.
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AdvancED: The Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education |
Fall 2026: Academy of College Teaching |
Registration is now open for the fall 2026 Academy of College Teaching (ACT) program! Offered every fall and spring semester, ACT is a ten-week, classroom style workshop series for graduate students and postdocs preparing for careers in college-level instruction. The program covers best practices in course design, student-centered pedagogy, and classroom strategies. You’ll gain practical experience designing a syllabus for a future course, developing your teaching philosophy, and demonstrating your teaching for a group of your peers. Upon completion of the program, you’ll receive a badge that you can add to your CV.
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The deadline to register is September 4, 2026.
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BRET Office of Career Development |
The BRET Office of Career Development supports biomedical postdoctoral fellows in the School of Medicine and VUMC.
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Preparing for a Faculty Career & Job Search Workshop |
The BRET Career and Professional Development workshop is for postdocs and late-stage grad students in the biomedical and life sciences who are interested in research-intensive faculty careers. The full day event will feature presentations and panel discussions with current faculty. Participants may register for the entire workshop, or choose specific sessions to attend.
Lunch will be provided.
Advance Registration is requested, so save your seat here!
Opening Plenary by Dr. Borden Lacy: Planning Your Independent Research Career
Lunchtime Plenary by James Dewar, PhD: Harnessing AI for Research, Education, and Professional Development
Panelists Include:
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- Gianni Castiglioni, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
- Chance Meers, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
- Krishna Mudumbi, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology
- Gregor Neuert, PhD, Associate Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Associate Professor of Pharmacology
- Yi Ren, PhD, Associate Professor of Biochemistry
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Marija Zanic, PhD, Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Professor of Biochemistry
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| FUNDING & RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES |
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National Institutes of Health - National Cancer Institute |
2027 Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholar Awards - Neuroscience |
The Distinguished Scholar Awards support individual postdoctoral scientists of exceptional creativity in the field of neurosciences. These awards enable a postdoctoral researchers to advance to become full-time faculty members at the Assistant Professor level or higher and to promote the development of a laboratory program that will lead to independent funding.
To apply, view the .
Learn more about the .
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- Internal Deadline: August 13, 2026
- Sponsor's Deadline: November 1, 2026
- Award Amount: $200,000/year for two years
- Nomination Slots: 1 VU application
- Eligibility Note:
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Research focused in the field of Neuroscience
- Postdocs must have completed a minimum of 3 years and no more than 6 years of a post-doctoral fellowship by July 1, 2027
- Postdocs must have an MD and/or PhD
- Commitment of a minimum of 75% effort
- Disciplines: Biological/Biomedical
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Join the VPA Slack Channel |
Join the VandyPostdocs Slack channel, where they offer dedicated channels for all general announcements, calendar events for all postdoc-related activities, job postings, social events (both formal and informal), and discussion about anything and everything!
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Are you a postdoc that has been awarded a new fellowship or accepted a faculty position? Have you published a high-impact journal article or had your book accepted for publication? Let OPA know so we can celebrate through our newsletter, website, and social media.
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Graduate and Postdoc Academic Success |
The Graduate & Postdoc Academic Success (GPAS) are here to support graduate students and postdocs with anything that keeps them from doing their best academic work. They provide strategies to address concerns around progress and productivity, as well as, navigating academic relationships. They address your needs through 1-on-1 consultations and success planning sessions. Additionally, both of their staff members are Gallup-Certified Strength Coaches and able to give you access to the CliftonStrengths Assessment to help you accomplish your best work utilizing an authentic approach to who you are and how you show up. If you are interested in meeting with one of the staff members, you can schedule an appointment here. If you ever feel like you are “stuck” in your writing and/or research, we hope that you will reach out and connect with them.
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Graduate and Postdoc Career Success |
The Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Success (GPCS) program provides essential support to departments/programs, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows to allow scholars to build skills, cultivate confidence, and design successful careers.
The GPCS supports the academic and non-academic career and professional development of postdoctoral fellows in non-biomedical STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences disciplines.
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BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program |
The BRET Office Career Development ASPIRE Program provides career and professional development services and enrichment activities for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences at VU and VUMC.
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The Vanderbilt University English Language Center (ELC) provides academic and professional English instruction and targeted resources for international students, faculty, staff, scholars, and their families. Our goal is to ensure that every member of our community can thrive at Vanderbilt by offering innovative, high-quality, and individualized language support. The ELC offers courses and services that address the academic, professional, and practical language needs of the Vanderbilt community while also fostering cross-cultural understanding and effective communication.
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The K.C. Potter Center is a welcoming space and resource hub for students, postdocs, faculty, and staff. The center provides community, support, and programming aimed at fostering inclusion across campus. Check out their upcoming events on their website.
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Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center |
The Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center is an affirming space for women and for all members of the Vanderbilt community that actively resists discrimination in all forms, including sexism, by providing resources and educational programming.
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The Office of Research Weekly Update delivers the latest news, events, and funding opportunities from across the School of Medicine. All postdocs are invited to subscribe here!
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The Writing Studio offers weekly writing groups for graduate students and postdocs during the Fall and Spring semesters on Tuesday afternoons from 2-5pm and Friday mornings from 9am-12pm. Students are welcome to attend one or both days and are encouraged to commit to attending each week. Each group meeting begins with a brief 10-minute check-in during which participants are invited to share their writing goals for the session. Participants then check in again at the end of the session to share their progress. A Writing Studio facilitator is available throughout to provide an additional sense of community and accountability. To participate, please complete this registration form.
More information can be found here: Writing Groups | The Writing Studio
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Career Center Photo Booth - The Career Center is proud to present their free, self-service photo booth. Just step inside, pose, and share! Located in the Student Life Center, this resource is free and available to the entire Vanderbilt community. The photo booth is available for use anytime the Student Life Center is open.
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Holy Days Calendar - The Vanderbilt Holy Days Calendar provides a broad list of major holy days throughout the year and includes recommended accommodations for community members observing each holy day. For more information, please read the communication here.
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Nature MasterClass - Nature Masterclasses are developed by Nature Research and provide professional development training for researchers by drawing on the expertise of Nature Research journal editors and experts. Faculty, staff, postdocs, and students of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center are free to sign up at https://masterclasses.nature.com/.
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Connect with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs |
Connect with the Vanderbilt Postdoc Association |
Vanderbilt University Office of Postdoctoral Affairs | 615.343.1990
117 Alumni Hall | 2205 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37240
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2301 Vanderbilt Pl | Nashville, TN 37235-1508 US
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