National Postdoc Appreciation Week
September 15 - 19, 2025
Each September, Carnegie Mellon recognizes National Postdoc Appreciation Week, which is a dedicated time to celebrate the contributions and impact of our postdoctoral community. National Postdoc Appreciation Week was launched in 2009 by the National Postdoctoral Association and is a way for organizations worldwide to recognize the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to U.S. research and discovery.
The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs has planned a variety of events for the 2025 National Postdoc Appreciation Week. More events will be added soon—please check back as the schedule is still in progress.
Schedule of Events
Monday, September 15, 2025, from 9 - 11 a.m.
Professional Headshots and Breakfast in the Danforth Lounge (Cohon University Center)
***This session is now fully booked, and registration is closed.***
Professional headshots will be offered in the Danforth Lounge for all interested CMU postdocs. Those interested in having their headshot taken should register for a time slot. Breakfast will also be offered, so stop by for a bite to eat as well as community-building!
Monday, September 15, 2025, from 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Meet & Greet Lunch and Watch Party in McKenna, Peter, Wright Rooms (Cohon University Center)
As part of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, please join us for an afternoon of programming with lunch! The programming will begin at 12:30 p.m., when postdocs can enjoy lunch while connecting with each other and colleagues in the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs, the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty, and the Carnegie Bosch Institute.
At 1 p.m., we will view a thought-provoking webinar that is hosted by Epigeum and inspired by the work of Dr. Anne Toomey, social scientist and author of the award-winning book Science with Impact: How to Engage People, Change Practice, and Influence Policy, and Epigeum's Research with Impact program, as Dr. Toomey explores how research can truly make a difference for the real world. Drawing on real-world stories, this session reveals how trust, social networks, and storytelling shape the way scientific knowledge is received and acted upon.
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Professional Headshots and Snacks in the Danforth Lounge (Cohon University Center)
***This session is now fully booked, and registration is closed.***
Professional headshots will be offered in the Danforth Lounge for all interested CMU postdocs. Those interested in having their headshot taken should register for a time slot. Snacks will also be offered, so stop by for a bite to eat as well as community-building!
Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Workshop: Writing a Teaching Statement via Zoom
Jacqui Pincus, PhD, Associate Director for Graduate Student & Postdoc Teaching Initiatives, will give an overview of The Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and Educational Innovation and then lead a workshop on how to write a teaching statement. Registration is required. A calendar invitation will be distributed once registration is complete.
Friday, September 19, 2025, from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Say It So It Sticks: Communicating Research for Real Impact in the Connan Room (Cohon University Center)
Light refreshments will be served
Want to make your research matter to the people who need it most? This hands-on workshop helps you identify your key audiences and craft clear, compelling pitches that connect—whether you're talking to funders, collaborators, or the public. Perfect for postdocs looking to boost visibility, engagement, and confidence.
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Create audience personas tailored to their research communication goals
- Shape messages that meet audience interests
- Develop two research pitches for those audiences (e.g., lay summary, social media thread)
- Receive actionable peer feedback to refine communication
- Leave with a practical strategies and templates to boost the impact of your work
Virtual Events Hosted by Other Organizations
This is just a selection of the virtual events that are open to all postdocs. Visit the National Postdoctoral Association website for the complete schedule.
Postdoc Transition Stories I: Career Paths from STEM
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
1 - 2 p.m.
Register
This virtual event is hosted by the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars. Learn more about the panelists.
Postdoc Transition Stories II: Career Paths from the Social Sciences
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
1 - 2 p.m.
Register
This virtual event is hosted by the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars. Learn more about the panelists.
Financial Literacy for Postdocs: Understanding Your Paycheck
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
1 - 2 p.m.
Register
In this session, presented by the National Postdoctoral Association, financial experts will break down your paycheck and/or pay stub. We'll help you understand income tax, Social Security/Medicare tax, insurance premiums, retirement account deductions, and more. This session is for all postdocs, both international and domestic, whether they are employees, non-employees, or both.
On the Tenure Track: New Faculty Reflections on Interviewing
Thursday, September 18, 2025
2 - 3 p.m.
Register
Hear from former postdocs that have recently landed tenure-track positions at Ohio State University, Rice University, University of Michigan, and University of Minnesota.Our Panelists will share their experience and advice with those in attendance. This event is open to any Ph.D. or postdoc seeking a tenure-track faculty position in the United States and is organized via partnership of institutions involved in the SPHERE Engineering Group, an organization that seeks to support postdocs in engineering with their career and professional development.