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Dear Postdoctoral Community,
As we wrap up 2025, my hope is that you will take time to enjoy the winter break with family and friends. This time of year is an important opportunity to recharge, and I encourage you to take full advantage of it.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to offer a new slate of career development, community-building, and networking opportunities this Spring. These events will be posted on our website soon and highlighted in the next newsletter.
I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Best,
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C. André Christie-Mizell
Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Dean of the Graduate School
Centennial Professor of Sociology
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VPA Board Elections Coming Soon!Nominations for the bi-annual Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) Board will close on Friday, December 5, and elections will begin shortly thereafter. Please be on the lookout for upcoming communications with candidate information, voting instructions, and key dates.
Your participation is essential in shaping the leadership and direction of the VPA. We encourage all postdocs to review the candidate slate once available and make your voice heard in the upcoming election.
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| | January 15, 2026: The VPA 'Speak Easy' Talk Series Returns!
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Are you a post-doctoral researcher interested in polishing your “lay” scientific communication skills by giving a short 10-minute presentation to your peers and others in the Vanderbilt community in a fun and casual setting? If so, we invite you to join our Talk Series Speak Easy. Presenting is not mandatory! Join your fellow postdocs and hear about the different research being performed across VU and VUMC over drinks and appetizers.
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CALL FOR POSTERS! Now is the time to submit abstracts for the poster sessions at the upcoming EFS Translational Science Forum, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Student Life Center on the Vanderbilt campus. Edge for Scholars are accepting abstracts from all Vanderbilt (VU and VUMC) and Meharry students and investigators at any level from undergraduate to faculty and staff.
View the full guidelines here or on the submission form. Abstracts are due at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026.
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| | Brock Family Center 2025 Innovator of the Year Lecture with Dr. Michael Golinko
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The Brock Family Center will be hosting a lecture to celebrate Dr. Michael Golinko, one of their 2025 Innovators of the Year. This lecture will take place on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. This is a free event that will take place both in-person in 202 Light Hall and online via Teams for those who need to attend virtually.
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The Misophonia Research Fund (MRF) is excited to announce the opening of its 2026 Cycle 8 Request for Proposals (RFP), providing research funding in the field of misophonia, a disorder in which everyday sounds can trigger intense emotional and physiological reactions.
The current RFPs solicit research proposals seeking to better understand misophonia, characterize symptomatology and associated impairments, develop and validate diagnostics, and assess interventional strategies to treat those with the disorder.
The MRF invites proposals from clinical and preclinical researchers across neuroscience, psychology, audiology, neurobiology, genetics, engineering, computational and data science, and related disciplines.
Now accepting letters of intent / proposals for the 2026 funding cycle for three award mechanisms:
Independent investigators and postdocs are encouraged to apply for the following grant opportunities focused on addressing clear gaps in the field and/or generating new knowledge about misophonia that builds upon previous findings using demonstrably rigorous study methods:
- Independent investigator award: Up to $500,000 in total funding support for research projects led by independent investigators at qualifying research-based institutions who hold doctoral-level degrees (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., Psy.D., Au.D.). Grants may span two to three years, depending on the proposed project’s needs.
- Postdoctoral award: Up to $200,000 in total funding for postdoctoral applicants who will have earned their doctoral degree (e.g. Ph.D., M.D., Psy.D., Au.D.) by July 1, 2025. Grants may span two to three years, depending on the proposed project’s needs.
* LOI submission deadline: Friday, December 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT. Invited full proposals are due on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT.
Independent investigators, postdocs, and graduate-level students are encouraged to apply for this grant opportunity that provides up to $75,000 in total funding in support of innovative research projects to acquire key initial datasets that address clear gaps in the field and/or generate new knowledge about misophonia that is essential to the development of a large-scale research project.
* Full proposal submission deadline: Monday, January 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT.
Applications are now open for the Misophonia Research Consortium Award, designed to bring together two or more independent investigators to pursue ambitious, multi-domain studies that cannot be achieved through individual projects alone. By fostering collaboration at scale, this award aims to accelerate scientific progress through shared expertise, resources, and infrastructure.
Independent investigators are encouraged to apply for this grant opportunity that provides up to $1,500,000 in total funding for researchers dedicated to team science.
* LOI submission deadline: Friday, December 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT.
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Applications Open!
The Alzheimer’s Association Interdisciplinary Summer Research Institute (AA-ISRI) is a fully funded, immersive training opportunity for early-career researchers focused on care interventions and population health. This year’s institute will be held in Chicago, August 3-7, 2026, and will feature group sessions and individualized mentoring from leading experts in dementia science.
AA-ISRI provides participants the chance to:
- Deepen knowledge of the biological and clinical aspects of Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Strengthen research skills and explore emerging research designs and analytical methods
- Build connections with leaders and peers across the field
- Develop a research proposal for Association and NIH funding
Applications are due March 9, 2026, and 24 researchers will be selected for this exclusive experience. Postdocs and early-career investigators who completed their doctoral degree within the past 10 years are eligible, and individuals from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please share this opportunity with colleagues and trainees who may be interested, and submit your application today!
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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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Writing Studio Graduate Writing GroupsThe 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.
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The VPA is 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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Graduate and Postdoc Academic SuccessThe 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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The GPAS staff will offer weekly 'co-working' sessions throughout the spring semester on Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall Graduate Student & Postdoc Lounge (Room 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. The Co-Working Space sessions are currently paused and will resume in January 2026.
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Write On!
Applications for Spring 2026 are now OPEN!
Applications for the Spring 2026 Write On! Program are now open. Write On! is an interdisciplinary writing accountability program where participants commit just 2 hours per week to focused writing time with their group. Sessions can be held in-person or virtually, and the program is ideal for anyone looking to build a consistent writing habit, reach a major milestone, or prepare grants/manuscripts for submission this spring.
With more than 500 participants over six semesters, Write On! continues to make a meaningful impact:
- “Write On! was the most beneficial interdisciplinary program that I have been a part of at Vanderbilt.
- “Your work on this effective program has had ripple effects across the graduate student community.
- “It has been incredibly helpful and affirming during an otherwise isolating time of the PhD process.”
Apply today and reserve your preferred meeting times. Applicants will be notified during the first full week of January.
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BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE ProgramThe 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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| ASPIRE Up Series
The ASPIRE Up series is a monthly workshop series for biomedical Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scientists to aide in advancing their career and professional skills. Topics will include navigating career choices, grant writing, job search skills and more! Please see the list below for the lastest upcoming ASPIRE workshops and events!
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| Ph.D. Career Stories
Ph.D. Career Stories is a monthly seminar series about career options for Ph.D. scientists. Speakers from a diverse range of exciting scientific careers present their career path and share insights from their professional experiences. Come hear about the career journey from Vanderbilt Alumni and professionals working in the field and see if this is a career path that could suit you.
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| PhD Career Stories: Round-Table Coffee Chat
Curious about careers in industry drug development? Join us for a casual, round-table coffee chat with Dr. Temrikar.
Friday, December 5 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Light Hall 415
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| PhD Career Stories: Careers in Clinical Research
Featuring Barry Crawford, PhD, Senior Director, Quality Assurance and Compliance, Thermo Fischer Scientific; and Trenis Palmer, PhD, Director, Quality Assurance and Process Improvement, Valkyrie Clinical Trials
Friday, December 11 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Virtual
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| The Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center is an on-campus office and resource to help celebrate and empower women in both their professional and personal aspirations, helping to boast their overall lives as they navigate through their time at Vanderbilt University. You can read more about the Women's Center on their website and by attending some of their upcoming events below!
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K.C. Potter Center
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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| Additional Events, Webinars, and InformationAll postdocs are invited to participate!
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Postdoc Spotlight: Mahima Sharma, Ph.D.Mahima is a postdoc in biomedical engineering at the School of Engineering whose path has been shaped by a love of adventure, discovery, and purpose. Originally trained in India, she found her way into the world of optics and photonics during her Ph.D., where she explored how the polarization of light can improve cancer diagnosis. At Vanderbilt, Mahima continues to pursue the possibilities of light, developing optical systems to help identify nerves during surgery, diagnose infectious diseases, and probe the mechanisms of health and disease. She approaches each experiment with curiosity, embracing both the breakthroughs and the missteps, with a deep appreciation for the community that has supported her growth along the way. Read more about Dr. Sharma's work and her illuminating journey in our December postdoc feature here.
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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. Check out this flyer for more details!
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| National Postdoc Association
NPA SmartSkills: Strategies for Navigating a Competitive Job Market
This session will focus on how 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, the NPA 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. Register here for the December 16 virtual course.
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| Holy Days CalendarAs a reminder, 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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| Join 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!
How to sign into VandyPostdocs Slack:
- Visit the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Associatiion website.
- Click the link at the bottom (vandypostdocs.slack.com).
- Sign up with your VU or VUMC email.
- Launch Slack in your browser or download the app.
Then you should be all set! Feel free to post a message in any of the channels or request to start a new channel based on an interest you may have.
Important Note:
Must be signed in with VU/VUMC email to access VandyPostdocs Slack workspace.
Explore the VandyPostdocs Slack Channel today and connect with your fellow postdocs. For any assistance, contact the OPA (opa@vanderbilt.edu). Let's build a stronger, more connected postdoc community together!
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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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| 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?
Complete this form to submit this recognition to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs so we can celebrate through our newsletter, website, and social media. Visit our website to read the achievements of our Vanderbilt postdocs.
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| | Connect with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
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| | Connect with the Vanderbilt Postdoc Association (VPA)
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