Vanderbilt celebrates National Postdoc Appreciation Week Sept. 21-25

Vanderbilt will celebrate the vital contributions of its postdoctoral community during National Postdoc Appreciation Week, Monday, Sept. 21, through Friday, Sept. 25. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, in collaboration with campus partners, has curated a week of events designed to recognize postdocs and the important role they play in advancing research, discovery and learning across Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health.

This year’s celebration is especially meaningful as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the postdoctoral position in the United States.

The week will kick off with a virtual panel from the National Postdoctoral Association, “150 Years of the U.S. Postdocs: Issues of Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow.” Throughout the week, Vanderbilt postdocs can enjoy sweet treats, professional headshots, grab-and-go events, swag giveaways and the annual postdoc family picnic. Additional virtual events are available through the National Postdoctoral Association.

Vanderbilt postdoctoral fellows, commonly known as postdocs, are professionals who have earned doctoral degrees and are pursuing additional scholarly training, experience and research opportunities in preparation for a wide range of career paths. Across disciplines, they bring expertise, curiosity and new perspectives to Vanderbilt’s research enterprise while contributing to the discovery and learning missions of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health.

“Postdocs power discovery, and National Postdoc Appreciation Week gives us an opportunity to celebrate the talented scholars who bring that phrase to life every day,” said Faith Bishop, Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. “Through their expertise, creativity and collaboration, our postdocs make invaluable contributions to research and discovery across Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health. We are incredibly proud of our postdoctoral community, and this week gives us a special opportunity to recognize their accomplishments, thank them for all they contribute and celebrate the impact they make across Vanderbilt.”

The full schedule of events and registration details can be found on the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs website. For more information, contact the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at opa@vanderbilt.edu.