National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) was established by the National Postdoctoral Association to annually celebrate the substantial contributions that postdocs make to academic research and scholarship. Universities and research institutes all over the country hold special events in recognition of postdocs during NPAW. This year, NPAW will take place September 16 – 20.
Take a break from your rigorous academic pursuits to join the in-person and virtual events happening across our campus, the city of Columbus, and from our institutional peers across the country that have been organized to celebrate the postdoc community and to thank you all for your immense contributions to Ohio State’s research, service, and teaching missions.
Our planned events focus on career or professional development, professional headshots, and networking with peers. Additionally, we have several 2024 postdoc recognition competitions that will start accepting nominations in September (deadline to nominate someone is January 5, 2025).
Below we have included a mix of events occurring here at Ohio State and virtually at peer institutions across the country before, during, and after NPAW. We look forward to seeing you!
Events happening before National Postdoc Appreciation Week, Sept. 11
Wednesday, September 11
- 10:30-1:30 PM: Postdoc Association VWR Vendor Show, Location: Biomedical Research Tower, Room 115, 460 W. 12th Ave. Come learn about cutting edge tools and technologies from over 34 R&D vendors in the biological, biomedical, and clinical sciences. Lunch and refreshments will be provided as supplies permit.
- 2:00 – 4:00 PM: New Postdoc Orientation and Individual Development Plan Workshop, Location: Virtually on Zoom. This event is hosted by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. Register here: go.osu.edu/postdoc-orientation.
Events happening during National Postdoc Appreciation Week Sept. 16-20
Monday, September 16:
- 2:00 – 3:00 PM (in-person), How to Make Good Talks Great!
Beyond good graphs, big fonts, and a loud voice, what makes a merely good talk truly excellent? In this talk, Dr. Todd Thompson (professor and chair, Department of Astronomy, Ohio State) will discuss some key elements of great seminars, lectures, and colloquia taken from his experience in astrophysics research and teaching. He presents strategies for improving technical seminars, job talks, and public outreach talks, including the art of responding to questions and the trick of knowing what not to say. This talk is applicable to many STEM fields and beyond. Light refreshments will be provided. Location: Graduate School Seminar Space (University Hall Room 250Q, 230 N. Oval Mall). RSVP for this in-person event here: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9AZ4bQqav7JlPDw
Tuesday, September 17:
- 9:00 – 1:00 PM (in-person), Professional Headshots Session 1. Get a professional headshot taken to use for professional profiles and in the job seeking process. Not sure what to wear for a headshot? Go here:https://artofheadshots.com/what-to-wear-for-headshots/. Location: BRT 134
- 2:00 – 3:00 PM (virtual), Launching a Career in Academia. During this virtual session hosted by the postdoc offices of University of Utah and University of Colorado Boulder and the New Mexico State University postdoc association, panelists will discuss the skills and strategies needed to launch a faculty career. Direct zoom link here: https://utah.zoom.us/j/93067761706.
- 2:00 – 3:30 PM (virtual): Finding the Funds. During this session, attendees will hear from program officers at several federal agencies who will discuss biochemistry and molecular biology funding opportunities. The participating agencies include NIGMS: National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NCI: National Cancer Institute, and NIAID: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Register to attend here: https://www.asbmb.org/meetings-events/finding-the-funds-postdocs
- 5:00 – 7:00 PM (in-person), Postdoc Association Meet & Greet, Boardgames and Pizza, Location: BRT 130. Come network with fellow Ohio State postdocs in a casual setting with free pizza and board games!
Wednesday, September 18:
- 10:00 – 11:30 AM (in-person or virtual), Alternative Career Pathways for Postdocs. Attend this career panel to learn about alternative, non-faculty careers within academia for postdocs to consider. Our guests include Dr. Stephanie Buehler, an Ohio State research development specialist, who formerly worked at Battelle, and Dr. Joe Sharick, a technology commercialization ambassador who was a former Ohio State postdoc. Location: Zoom. RSVP for this virtual event here: https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtc-6opjIuHNVSmHwyqNZoouc7QKH1v6yd
- 10:00 – 11:00 AM (virtual), Social Media & Science: How to Connect to a Global Audience. During this virtual session, panelists will discuss scientific communication and how social media platforms have revolutionized how academics promote their research and engage with audiences. Register here: https://ptglab.zoom.us/webinar/register/9117237333978/WN_llb4QAnGRSGpTFmMinDtHQ#/registration
- 11:00 – 12:00 PM (virtual), Oak Ridge Institute’s STEM Management and Leadership Careers Panel. Join ORISE for a panel featuring STEM leaders at various US federal agencies, who will discuss their career trajectories and their own experiences with STEM leadership and management in the federal landscape. Register for this virtual event here: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_CHf4N_DzSr2flIuoZJ0Nzg#/registration#/registration
- 2:00 – 3:00 PM (virtual), Industry Success for International Engineering Postdocs Transitioning into U.S. Industry Positions. Join the SPHERE Engineering Group for this session during which industry professionals and recruiters will discuss why international postdocs should consider a career path in industry, and how to prepare and transition into an industry position. Register for this virtual event here: https://gatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hiq-fvKPRy2MgkgxCbh3sw#/registration.
- 2:00 – 3:30 PM (virtual), Starting Your Own Lab, hosted by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Join ASBMB for this virtual event which will focus on getting a new lab up and running. The panel will include experienced investigators who will provide best practices and personal insights that new and aspiring PIs can apply and consider. Register for this event here: https://www.asbmb.org/meetings-events/starting-your-own-lab
Thursday, September 19:
- 6:00 – 8:00 PM (in-person), STEAM Exchange, Topic: Origins. What if you only had 2 minutes and 1 slide to explain an complicated project to an audience outside of your direct field of study? What would you say? This is the first event of a series that the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, STEAM Factory, and collaborating institutions is developing for postdocs to practice their presentation skills. During this first session, the topic is ‘Origins’, which can be the origins of a specific subject you study, your personal origins, or however you might interpret this topic in your field of study. This is a great opportunity to practice your presentation skills in a low stress environment in front of your postdoc peers. There will be plenty of time for networking and food will be provided. If you would rather just attend this first session, presenting is not mandatory. Location: The STEAM Factory, 2nd floor, 400 W. Rich St, Columbus, OH 43215. Register for this event here: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6FG7Gtz0OO7jpsy
Friday, September 20:
- 9:00 – 1:00 PM (in-person), Professional Headshots Session 2. Get a professional headshot taken to use for professional profiles and in the job seeking process. Not sure what to wear for a headshot? Go here:https://artofheadshots.com/what-to-wear-for-headshots/. Location: BRT 134
- 4:00 – 6:00 PM (in-person), Postdoc Association Happy Hour, Location: Budd Dairy Food Hall, 1086 N. Fourth St. Relax and socialize with other postdocs to end off the week! Find us on the rooftop with a sign labeled "OSU Postdoc Association"! Appetizers will be provided. See parking options around Budd Dairy here: https://budddairyfoodhall.com/location/parking/.
Events happening after National Postdoc Appreciation Week, Oct
Tuesday, October 1:
- 9:00 – 1:00 PM (in-person), Professional Headshots Session 3. Get a professional headshot taken to use for professional profiles and in the job seeking process. Not sure what to wear for a headshot? Go here:https://artofheadshots.com/what-to-wear-for-headshots/. Location: BRT 134
Wednesday, October 16, 2024:
- 11:00 – 2:00 PM (virtual via Handshake): Big10 Academia Career Fair. This career fair is focused on connecting postdocs and graduate students, who are interested in tenure or non-tenure track faculty positions, as well as researcher, lecturer, and postdoctoral trainee positions in Higher Education, Government, Research-focused and Non-Profit organizations with organizations currently seeking to fill open roles. Register here: https://osu.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/48820/student_preview.
Postdoc Recognition Programs and NPAW 2024 Raffles:
The following recognition programs are now accepting nominations for the 2024 year:
- Postdoc Mentor of the Year Award: This award is presented to a postdoc who has demonstrated their outstanding mentoring and advising skills while training undergrad and grad students and other members of Ohio State’s community. Nominate a postdoc here: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0DpMmOzYz6vwYmO.
- Postdoc Service Award: This award is presented to a postdoc who has demonstrated profound, sustained leadership contribution to improve the Ohio State postdoc experience. Nominate a postdoc here: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_25iX5iIhR3rKeeG.
- Faculty Mentor of the Year Award: This award recognizes a faculty who have engaged in exceptional mentoring of postdoc(s) by creating a supportive environment for research among other notable qualities. Nominate a faculty member here: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_86e5FoNWVDRO5Om.
The deadline to nominate an individual to any of the programs listed above is January 5, 2025. Awardees will be announced in early Spring 2025.
Enter your name to be considered for one or both of the raffles below! The deadline to enter the competition is Sunday, 9/22/24, 11:59 PM. Winners will be announced in early October.
- Professional Development Fund. OPA will award three $500 prizes (can be used to cover professional development expenses, publishing costs, or conference travel expenses). The deadline to enter your name for consideration is Sunday, 9/22/24, 11:59 PM. Enter here: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3gjqMVGBw9xjyJw.
- Franklin Park Conservatory Tickets: Win a ticket to visit the Franklin Park Conservatory (you can include the name of another Ohio State postdoc, who would receive a ticket as well if you’re selected). OPA will award up to 20 tickets. Enter here: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b2YI3oEbJEH0KGi.
For more information about any of the events or recognition programs you see listed above, please reach out to the Ohio State Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (osupostdocs@osu.edu) or Postdoctoral Association (postdocassociation@osu.edu).