The 17^th annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week celebration begins 9/21/26! Since 2009, this week of gratitude has been held nationwide to acknowledge the major contributions postdocs have made to U.S. research and innovation. In addition to various free virtual events happening around the country, Postdoctoral Affairs and Utah Postdoctoral Association (UPDA) are proud to host a variety of activities on the University of Utah campus!

These include:

• Immigration and Visa Options for Postdocs

  The Office of General Counsel will present information about employment-based non-immigrant and immigrant visa options.

• NPAW Postdoc Lunch

  Join the UPDA for a casual lunch celebrating National Postdoc Appreciation Week! Connect with fellow postdocs, meet new people, and share experiences and advice with others in the postdoc community.

• Bagels, Coffee, and a Photoshoot Events

  Join Postdoc Affairs and the UPDA for breakfast and get a free professional photoshoot!

• Careers at the National Labs Virtual Panel

  Explore career opportunities beyond academia at our virtual Careers in the National Labs panel. Hear directly from researchers about their career paths, experiences working in the labs, and insights for postdocs considering this career pathway. Our conversation will feature national lab professionals from institutions including Idaho National Lab and the National Lab of the Rockies.

• NPAW Postdoc Research Symposium

  This event will showcase the outstanding research being conducted by postdoctoral scholars across the University of Utah and provide an opportunity to share their work with the broader research community. Come celebrate the incredible contributions that postdoctoral researchers make to the University of Utah research community.

• NPAW Keynote Address: “Applying for a Tenure-Track Faculty Role: Understanding the Application Process, Role Itself and Thriving in Your First Year”

  In this session, guest speaker Victoria Hallinan will share her advice on how to find faculty jobs, how to prepare effective materials and interviews, as well as how to set yourself up for success in your first year as a faculty member. Participants will be invited to reflect on why they wish to consider a faculty role and ways to build in reflection to check in on this career goal and diversify your career options to be resilient in this current job hiring climate.

• NPAW Keynote Address Watch Party

  Come watch the NPAW Keynote in person! Lunch will be provided. After her address, Dr. Hallinan will dial in for an exclusive extended Q&A session, only for UofU postdocs!

• NPAW Online Trivia Competition

  The University of Utah is teaming up with institutions across the mountain west to host an evening of virtual trivia for postdocs! Meet other postdocs and work together to claim the highest score in this evening of humor and comradery!

• Postdocs Turn 150! – NPAW Birthday Party

  Help us close out NPAW by celebrating 150 years of postdocs! Join fellow postdocs for an outdoor birthday party with cake, ice cream, and plenty of time to socialize and celebrate. Friends and family are welcome!

Postdocs interested in attending any of these events can find more information, including how to sign up, here. If you know a postdoc or work with them, please thank them during NPAW for the excellent work they contribute to the University of Utah!