August 2026

Happy August!

Whether you are preparing for another academic year or you've just arrived to our campus, welcome to the Fall semester! New postdocs can register for the next New Postdoc Orientation.

This month, we also encourage you to register for the UT System Postdoctoral Research Symposium by August 31, 2026. This is the third time The University of Texas at Austin is hosting the symposium to recognize the work of postdoctoral scholars on our campus. We are excited to host scholars from across institutions in our University of Texas System to bring us all together.

As one of our unique training programs, the Postdoctoral Teaching Academy is set to start this fall and we have now opened applications! Learn the fundamentals of teaching excellence supported by a cohort of peers. This is a great opportunity to increase your marketability for careers within and outside academia.

To learn more about our office and to see a complete events calendar, please visit our website. We also invite you to join our listserv to get timely communications about upcoming events.

Feel free to email us at postdoctoralaffairs@utexas.edu with exciting updates of your accomplishments or with any questions.

Lydia and Del

Register for the 2026 UT System Postdoctoral Symposium
Teaching Academy Applications Open
News
Events
Professional Development

Register for the 2026 UT System Postdoctoral Research Symposium

The UT System Postdoctoral Research Symposium promotes postdoctoral contributions to the broader research enterprise, and offers a variety of professional development activities for those exploring academic, industry, government and non-profit career paths. This is a great opportunity to meet potential future collaborators from across the UT System.

Postdoc attendees are encouraged to submit an abstract for the poster session by August 14, 2026. The abstract submission is part of the symposium registration form.

UT System Postdoctoral Research Symposium
Monday, September 14, 2026
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Texas Union
Reception to follow, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Teaching Academy Applications Open!

In the Postdoctoral Teaching Academy, scholars spend the academic year in workshops and experiential learning opportunities focused on best practices, tools and resources to lead an effective, student-centered classroom.

Under the mentorship of an experienced instructor, scholars spend the Spring semester preparing to deliver 1-2 guest lectures to a course. Scholars are awarded a certificate of completion at the end of the program.

While we encourage those interested in becoming faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) to apply, the skills developed in the program are transferable to a wide range of careers outside academia.

Learn More & Apply by August 31

News

Access Your Free Affiliate Membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA)

Your complimentary membership allows access to the NPA's professional development resources and networking tools. Email postdoctoralaffairs@utexas.edu for help setting up your account.

Access Your Membership

Social Work Postdoc Earns Career Development Award for Studying Burnout in Peer Workers

Dr. Katie McCormick of the Addiction Research Institute received a K01 Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Read more

Thank you for attending Postdoc Summer Social!

On July 10, we gathered for barbecue, networking bingo and a guided wellness drumming session hosted by postdoctoral scholar Kelley T. Glover, Ph.D. This was a great opportunity for postdocs to destress and connect.

See Photos

Events

NPA SmartSkills: Daunted by Networking? Try the Scientific Method

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2-3 p.m., Virtual

This free, virtual course reframes “networking” and “informational interviews” as a scientific process that helps you gather insights, explore career paths and build meaningful professional relationships.

Register

New Postdoc Orientation

Wednesday, Sep. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Texas Union Santa Rita Suite

Learn about postdoc-specific policies, benefits, and resources available to enhance your UT Austin experience. We will also discuss the mentoring experience and creating an individual development plan.

Register

Professional Development

Whether you are a new or continuing postdoc, setting academic and professional goals through an Individual Development Plan (IDP) creates a pathway for your success, so that you and your mentor are on the same page throughout your fellowship.

Individual Development Plan for New Postdocs

Fill out this form to create an action plan for the first year of your postdoc. You can share this form with your mentor ahead of your mentoring meeting.

Access the IDP for New Postdocs

Individual Development Plan for Continuing Postdocs

Reflect on your goals for the future as you self-assess the past year of your postdoc. You and your mentor can use this plan to develop a strategy for continued success during your fellowship.

Access the IDP for Continuing Postdocs

Access IDP Tools and Resources from the Office of Career & Life Design (OCLD)

The OCLD compiles discipline-specific online IDP tools to guide you through setting strategic goals, skill assessments and more.

Read More

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