National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) was established by the National Postdoctoral Association to celebrate annually 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 21 – 25.
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 2026 postdoc recognition competitions that will start accepting nominations in September (deadline to nominate someone is January 10, 2027).
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 During NPAW (September 21-25)
Monday, September 21
2:30 - 3:30 PM (University Hall 250Q): 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 workshop, Dr. Todd Thompson (Professor and Chair, Department of Astronomy) 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 workshop 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).
Tuesday, September 22
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (University Hall 250Q): Professional Headshots Session
Get a professional headshot taken to use for professional profiles and in the job seeking process. Location: Graduate School Seminar Space (University Hall Room 250Q, 230 N. Oval Mall).
Not sure what to wear for a headshot?
10:00 - 11:00 AM (BRT 105): PDA Town Hall Meet & Greet
Join the Postdoctoral Association (PDA) and come network with fellow Ohio State postdocs in a casual setting. Coffee and pastries will be provided. Location: Biomedical Research Tower (BRT) Room 105 (460 W. 12th Ave.).
Wednesday, September 23
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (University Hall 250Q): Science Communication Workshop & Lunch
During this science communication workshop, Courtney Price, Community Outreach Liaison for the College of Arts & Sciences Office of Engagement, and Cynthia Canan, PhD, Assistant Professor and State 4-H STEM Extension Specialist, will facilitate this workshop on best practices for translating technical expertise into accessible content for general audiences. Lunch will be provided. Location: Graduate School Seminar Space (University Hall Room 250Q, 230 N. Oval Mall).
5:00 - 7:00 PM (Cordial): PDA Happy Hour
Join the Postdoc Association (PDA) to relax and socialize with other postdocs at Cordial (formerly The Bottle Shop, 237 King Avenue). Pizza will be provided.
Thursday, September 24
10:00 - 11:30 AM (Zoom): Alternative Careers for Postdocs Panel
During this session, we will have three PhD-trained scientists who are working in academic settings in non-faculty roles discuss their experiences and perspectives. Our guests will be Brianna Davis Johnson, PhD (Assistant Dean for Mentoring and Strategic Initiatives, Graduate School), Joe Sharick, PhD (Licensing Officer, Technology Commercialization Office), and Olivier Zablocki, PhD (Research Scientist in the Department of Microbiology & Grants Specialist with the Center of Microbiome Science).
Friday, September 19
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (BRT 130): Professional Headshots Session
Get a professional headshot taken to use for professional profiles and in the job seeking process. Location: Biomedical Research Tower (BRT) Room 130 (460 W. 12th Ave.).
Events Happening After NPAW
Tuesday, September 29
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM (BRT 115): Postdoc Association VWR Vendor Show
Come learn about cutting edge tools and technologies from R&D vendors in the biological, biomedical, and clinical sciences. Lunch and refreshments will be provided as supplies permit. Location: Biomedical Research Tower (BRT) Room 115 (460 W. 12th Ave.).
Tuesday, October 6
12:00 - 4:00 PM (virtual): National Academic Postdoc Recruitment Fair
The virtual event connects PhD and postdoctoral professionals with academies and organizations across the nation and internationally who are recruiting and hiring for postdoc positions. If you are looking for your first or next postdoc position, then this is the career fair for you. Note: All attendees will need to use the Handshake platform for this event. Postdocs must request access to this platform. If you are interested in attending, please request access to Handshake here.
2026 Travel and Professional Development Award Raffle
Thanks to the support of the Vice Provost of Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Mary Stromberger, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs has created a postdoc travel and professional development award initiative. For NPAW 2026, OPA will raffle off three awards of $1,250 each.
Deadline to submit your name for the raffle: Sunday, September 27, 11:59 PM.
2026 OPA Mentor and Service Awards
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2026 OPA Mentor of the Year and Service Awards. Nominations are due Sunday, January 10, 2027, 11:59 PM. Awardees will be announced in early Spring 2027.
Faculty Mentor of the Year Award
This award recognizes a faculty member who has engaged in exceptional mentoring of postdocs by creating a supportive environment for research among other notable qualities.
Postdoctoral Scholar Mentor of the Year Award
This award is presented to a postdoc who has demonstrated their outstanding mentoring and advising skills while training undergraduate or graduate students.
Postdoctoral Scholar Service Award
This award is presented to a postdoc who has demonstrated profound sustained leadership contribution to improving the postdoc experience at Ohio State.
For more information about any of the events or recognition programs you see listed above, please reach out to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (osupostdocs@osu.edu).