The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Designed to help you navigate your postdoctoral appointment, access resources, and build community, this orientation offers a thorough introduction to life as a Penn State postdoc.  The session will be led by Dr. Jennifer Nicholas, Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, and include 3 small group discussions.  While we have 1.5 hours allocated, the core briefing will be concise, leaving time for discussion, activity, and a final Q&A.

Join us to learn about Penn State postdoctoral benefits with particular attention to international postdocs' concerns. 

The session will be led by benefits expert Suzanne Rigg with facilitation by Dr. Jennifer Nicholas. 

Join Sonya Wilmoth and Kate Rawson, leaders of our nationally recognized Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, for an informal lunchtime gathering in their joyful space on the lower level of the HUB-Robeson Center. This meetup gives us an opportunity to meet colleagues, share experiences, discuss opportunities and challenges in academia, and build supportive professional networks across disciplines. Postdoctoral leader Dr. Rajat Kumar and OPA Director Dr. Jennifer Nicholas will also be present, and lunch will be provided.

Join us for a workshop to transform your LinkedIn profile, hosted by Dr. Jennifer Nicholas, Director of Postdoctoral Affairs, and the Eberly College Office of Science Engagement team, Dr. Tiffany Mathews (Director) and Dustin Zettle (Career Services Specialist).

After a LinkedIn presentation with handouts by Jennifer, postdocs and graduate students will co-lead round-table discussions in support of their table participants, undergraduates included. To achieve careful balance for these productive discussions, this workshop's registration form will cap the numbers of undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs separately.

This panel features PhD professionals, including Penn State alumni and former postdocs, working in a variety of career areas including AI/machine learning, business development and sales, communications and writing, computer engineering, and medical affairs. Panelists will share advice on transitioning to impactful careers in industry. Learn about different career paths, gaining related skills and experiences, and successfully navigating the job search.

Led by instructional consultants from Penn State's Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, this workshop will help postdocs understand how teaching fits into the faculty role across different types of U.S. colleges and universities and how teaching effectiveness is assessed in faculty job candidates.

Participants will explore what faculty search committees look for in teaching statements, how to articulate a student-centered and evidence-informed approach to teaching and mentoring, and strategies for connecting their experiences to the needs and mission of prospective institutions. Whether you are new to teaching in the U.S. or reviewing materials for this year's faculty job search cycle, this session offers practical guidance for developing a stronger teaching statement and presenting yourself as a thoughtful, effective educator.

In today's rapidly evolving higher education landscape, fostering a culture of inclusivity, civil discourse, and collaboration is more important than ever in our heterogenous labs, studios, and other research spaces. Restorative Practices (RP) offer a transformative approach to building strong relationships, resolving conflicts, and promoting a sense of belonging within research groups. For a truly restorative culture, labs/departments, etc. need practical strategies for immediate application that help everyone feel valued, heard, and empowered, especially when differences of opinion threaten to stall progress. Implementing RP can not only enhance communication and teamwork, it cultivates a sense of community that transcends physical boundaries for postdocs, faculty, and the graduate students they mentor.

Please note: Completion of the Restorative Practices Part 1 Training is required for participation in Part 2.

This training empowers participants to:

• Apply restorative practices to the Penn State research group setting
• Use restorative practices to guide emotionally intelligent conversations
• Support those harmed and those who caused harm with equal dignity
• Recognize when a full restorative conference is appropriate—and when it's not