National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) is September 15-19. This week celebrates the significant contributions of postdocs to U.S. research and discovery at Vanderbilt and beyond through their research, scholarship, and teaching.
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and other campus partners have curated many events throughout the week. We look forward to seeing you. A full list of events can be found below.
In addition, the National Postdoc Association (NPA) has many virtual events, including a keynote presentation on challenges early career researchers face, wellness workshops, and career panels. More information on these events can be found here.
Friday, September 12
Postdoc Appreciation Week Kick-Off at Vanderbilt Women's Soccer
7:00 p.m. | Vanderbilt Soccer Complex
Kick off NPAW by cheering on the Vanderbilt Women's Soccer team when they take on LSU for the first SEC conference game of the season! Game day information can be found on the Women's Soccer website. Families are welcome, and entry is free. This is a "black out" game, so wear black to the match to support our women's team! We will meet outside the stadium and walk in together around 6:45. RSVPs encouraged.
Monday, September 15
Postdoc Appreciation Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Alumni Hall 206
Postdocs will be able to start the week with a free breakfast and a time of networking with other postdocs and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. Space is limited, RSVPs are required.
2025 NPAW National Kickoff Event
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Virtual
Join the National Postdoctoral Association for the 2025 NPAW National Kickoff. The 2025 kickoff will include remarks provided by leaders across the postdoc community, with a brief keynote by Gretchen Goldman, Ph.D., president of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a long-standing partner organization of the NPA. This event is free to attend and open to the full community. For more information on additional speakers, including Vanderbilt postdoc alum, Christopher T. Smith, and to register, visit the NPA website.
Tuesday, September 16
Complimentary Headshots for Postdocs
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Alumni Hall 202
Photographer Khaki Bedford will be shooting complimentary headshots for the postdoc community. Make an appointment for a new or updated headshot. To pick your preferred time slot, please register here.
Lightning Talks Competition
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual
In collaboration with the University of Tennessee and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, we will host a virtual lightning talks competition as part of National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Please join us to hear from our Vanderbilt postdocs that will be presenting as well as postdocs at UTK and ONRL. The registration link to attend will be available closer to the date of the event.
Annual Postdoc Family Picnic
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Fannie Mae Dees Park ("Dragon Park')
Postdocs and their families are invited to a picnic catered by Potbelly Sandwich Works at Fannie Mae Dees Park (also known as 'Dragon Park'). We look forward to a family-friendly event and seeing you in person! RSVP here so we have an accurate count for food; please note any food allergies/dietary restrictions.
Wednesday, September 17
Morning Mentoring Roundtable
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Alumni Hall 100
Graduate and Postdoc Academic Success (GPAS) invites you to chat about your mentoring experiences: strategies that have been successful, challenges you have had or are currently facing, and approaches to mentoring. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP here.
Free Cookies with the BRET Office
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Light Hall North Lobby
Come grab a free cookie from Crumbl! Please join our colleagues in the BRET Office for some delicious cookies and meet with other postdocs in various areas.
Complimentary Headshots for Postdocs
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Alumni Hall 202
Photographer Khaki Bedford will be shooting complimentary headshots for the postdoc community. Make an appointment for a new or updated headshot. To pick your preferred time slot, please register here.
Thursday, September 18
OPA at the Farmer's Market
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Medical Center Plaza
In partnership with the Nashville Farmers Market, this weekly event provides individuals connected with VU and VUMC an opportunity to support local businesses, explore diverse cuisines, and cultivate connections within the community. As part of the National Postdoc Appreciation Week, OPA will be at the Farmer's Market with giveaways for the postdoc community.
VPA 'Speak Easy' Talk Series
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Alumni Hall Lounge (100)
All postdocs are invited to the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association's (VPA) talk series, the 'Speak Easy'! Fellow postdocs will give a 10-minute peer presentation on their research in a fun and casual setting to help hone communication and presentation skills. Appetizers and drinks will be provided. Please note that RSVPs are requested so we can have an accurate head count for the event. if you are interested in sharing your own scientific story, please contact the VPA at postdoc@vanderbilt.edu or complete this survey.
Friday, September 19
Free Treats at the Women's Center
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center
Stop by the Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. for a free treat! The Women's Center is located at 2304D Vanderbilt Place, Franklin House.
Campus Arboretum Walk
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Meeting Point: Alumni Lawn
Help us wrap up National Postdoc Appreciation Week by touring the Vanderbilt Aboretum with University Landscape Architect, James Moore. Vanderbilt's campus is host to over 6,000 trees across its more than 300 acres. The tour will cover notable trees in the aboretum as well as campus history and design. The tour will last about 1 hour. Participants should be prepared to walk for the entire duration. RSVPs encouraged.
Please reach out to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for any questions you may have. We look forward to celebrating YOU during this exciting week.
