The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Job seekers increasingly use GenAI somewhere in their search, and almost anyone can prompt a chatbot to draft a cover letter in seconds, but far fewer can assess whether the result is any good. That gap is where applications stall: many hiring managers say generic, impersonal AI-written materials make them less likely to interview a candidate. This hands-on virtual workshop treats prompting as the easy part and focuses on the harder skill of directing these tools deliberately, evaluating what they produce, and keeping your authentic voice intact.

Join fellow postdocs for a private evening at the Marriott Foundation Building for National Postdoc Appreciation Week!

Members of the Penn State Postdoc Society (PSPS) leadership team will be on hand to welcome you and discuss opportunities to join the council.

This is an opportunity to connect with many postdocs in one space, learn about 2026-2027 career and professional development programs and events exclusive to postdocs, meet the OPA director, and enjoy a unique space in the northwest corner of campus.

Moving to another country to pursue your career is an act of bravery the majority of individuals never take. Not only are you performing research at the highest levels, you also need to acclimatize to your new location. You may be speaking a new language, discovering cultural norms, figuring out bureaucratic systems, all without the support of family and friends. Now that you have invested years in this experience, the question will arise – what do you do now?

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.