Postdoctoral Education at Stanford
Stanford offers numerous opportunities for postdoctoral scholars to enhance their training experience and academic and professional development. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) organizes the Scientific Management Series and Postdoc Academic Chats—two distinct programs open to postdocs throughout the campus. In addition to the information below, check out the events calendar for dates and times of upcoming academic events that are relevant to postdocs.
Postdoc Academic Chats
From Postdoctoral Scholars to Your First Years as a Professor - and the Strategies You Need to Get There
Recognizing the uniqueness of the postdoc experience, the Postdoc Academic Chats are monthly lunch-time seminars for postdocs across the University who considering academic careers. They are led by Rick Reis, the founder and coordinator of the internationally acclaimed Tomorrow's Professor eNewsletter, providing advice for prospective and current academics, and author of the book Tomorrow's Professor: Preparing for Academic Careers in Science and Engineering (Wiley, 1997). Note: The eNewsletter and the Academic Chats are for people from all disciplines.
Prior to each Chat, attendees will be sent three short Tomorrow's Professor eNewsletter postings (total reading time for all three articles should be no more than 15 - 20 minutes) on the specific topic under discussion.
- Participation at each of these sessions is limited to 40 postdocs.
- Lunch will be served
- Readings will be prior to each chat
Upcoming Postdoc Academic Chat: Your Professional Preparation Strategy – Substance Alone Is Not Enough, on Friday, February 5 , noon - 1:30 p.m. To sign up, e-mail your name and department to Rick Reis.
Academic Chats Schedule for 2009-10
Chat # |
Topic |
Date |
Time |
Location |
Required Readings |
1.1 |
How Academia Really Works - What You Don't Know Can Surprise (and Bite) You with guests: Hugh O'Brodovich, Professor and Chat, Department of Pediatrics, and Russ Fernald, Professor of Human Biology, Department of Biological Sciences | Friday, November 6, 2009 | noon – 1:30 p.m. | Postdocs in Biosciences: Clark Center, Room S360 | Download document here  |
1.2 |
How Academia Really Works - What You Don't Know Can Surprise (and Bite) You with guests: Curtis Frank, Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, School of Engineering, and David Brady, Professor of Political Science and in the Graduate School of Business | Friday, November 6, 2009 | noon – 1:30 p.m. | Postdocs in Social Sciences & Engineering: Assembly Room, Bechtel International Center | Download document here |
2. |
YOUR PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION STRATEGY – Substance Alone Is Not Enough | Friday, February 5, 2010 | noon – 1:30 p.m. | TBD | Please check back for required readings |
3. |
TEACHING AS A POSTDOC - Why It Really Matters | Friday, March 5, 2010 | Noon – 1:30 p.m. | TBD | |
4. |
APPLYING FOR ACADEMIC POSITIONS - And You Thought Getting A Postdoc Was hard |
Friday, April 9, 2010 | Noon – 1:30 p.m. | TBD | |
5. |
STARTING OUT RIGHT AS A PROFESSOR - It's More Than Just Looking Out For #1 |
Friday, May 7, 2010 | Noon – 1:30 p.m. | TBD | |
6. |
Managing A Research Program - Insights For Beginning Faculty |
Friday, June 4, 2010 | Noon – 1:30 p.m. | TBD | |
7. |
The Thriving Professor - Finding Balance in Your Personal |
Friday, July 9, 2010 | Noon – 1:30 p.m. | TBD |
Scientific Management Series
Goals and Objectives
The Scientific Management Series aims to introduce postdocs to laboratory or research management skills that are critical to launch productive independent careers in academic and other settings. This series discusses some of the most critical aspects in effectively directing and managing a research lab. The series draws on a number of senior faculty and other prominent experts who draw on their own journey managing a research enterprise. SMS hopes to offer their perspective. The series is intended to complement the HHMI/BWF book, Making the Right Moves – A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty.
Events
- 2010 Schedule - coming up in early Winter 2010
- 2009 Schedule
- 2008 Schedule
- 2007 Schedule
- 2006 Schedule
Independent Courses
Goals and Objectives
A variety of courses are offered throughout the year to provide formal training to postdoctoral scholars in all facets of their chosen careers. These are intended to augment rather than replace the one-on-one "teaching" that occurs as part of the normal mentoring process between postdocs and the faculty members with whom they work.
Current Courses:
- Future Faculty Seminar - Fall 2009 (starts 9/24/09)
- MED 255 - Responsible Conduct of Research
- Course Policies
- Course Schedules (Fall Quarter 2009 & Winter Quarter 2010)
Previous Independently scheduled courses include:
-
How to Locate and Secure a Postdoctoral Research Scholar Position
-
Responsible Conduct of Research (Winter Schedule 2008)
- Responsible Conduct of Research (Spring Schedule 2009)
Previously ---
PRECEPT (primarily for Clinical Scientists)
Principles of Research in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Study Design, and Ethics for Clinicians to Enhance Postdoctoral Training
This is a special program for postdoctoral scholars in clinical programs with a series of courses specifically designed for their needs:
- Design and Conduct of Clinical Research & Trials 2006
- Introduction to Teaching and Presentation Skills 2005
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics for the Clinical Research Scientist 2004
- Practical Course on Molecular Biology Techniques
- Clinical Epidemiology
NOTE: If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your PDA, you can download a free copy at the Adobe Acrobat web site.