OPA Program

Tuesday, May 12, 12:00pm-1:20pm, LKSC 

Are you planning to prepare a syllabus for an upcoming course or for the academic job search? 

The ability to create an effective course plan and syllabus is critical to the success of courses we teach and in future academic positions. Join us for an interactive workshop that will prepare you for developing or revising a course to be taught at or beyond Stanford. 

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to:

Thursday, April 23, 2:00pm-4:00pm, LKSC Herb Garden 

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is hosting a Spring treat get together for all postdocs!

Sign up and stop by for some Spring treats on us! 

During this event, Stanford Transportation will also be available to talk to you about events and resources currently available to Stanford postdocs -- so stop by to learn more!

Tuesday, May 26, 12:00pm-1:20pm, LKSC

Giving a successful job talk requires more than simply knowing your topic inside and out. In this interactive session, you’ll learn strategies for structuring your talk, accommodating diverse audiences so they see the value of your research, and enhancing your delivery so that your talk is clear, engaging and memorable. You’ll see a few example approaches from successful job talks, so you can consider how to apply them to your own.

Tuesday, May 5, 12:00pm-1:20pm, LKSC

Are you going on the faculty job market next fall? Now that universities are no longer asking for a Diversity Statement, you need to rethink your strategy for demonstrating who you are and what you care about. 

This workshop will walk you through how to incorporate your story and your values into every aspect of your faculty job application materials. 

Required Readings:

Grasha, A. F. (1994). A Matter of Style: The Teacher as Expert, Formal Authority, Personal Model, Facilitator, and Delegator. College Teaching, 42(4); pp. 142-149. DOI: 10.1080/87567555.1994.9926845 -- LINK

Monday, April 27, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

As the summer research internship season approaches, many postdocs prepare to welcome a new cohort of enthusiastic students. While this "summer surge" brings curiosity and energy, it can also lead to significant mentor fatigue if not managed strategically. 

Monday, April 20, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

In this interactive session, we will explore how group dynamics shape effective teamwork and influence collaboration, communication, and trust within a team. 

Through guided discussion and engaging group activities, participants will reflect on team roles, practice strategies for working through challenges, and identify ways to build stronger, more cohesive teams. 

III:  Oral Presentation

Prerequisite: Oral Communication

Spring Session: Wednesdays, April 22 - May 27, 12:00pm-1:20pm