Map Your Postdoc Journey

Postdoctoral training is the bridge that connects your life as a student and your life as an independent scientific professional. Your postdoctoral journey is time-limited, lasting one to five years, and will be over before you know it. With so much to do and so little time: How do you decide what to accomplish during your postdoc?

The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) has identified 6 essential milestones for all postdoc training. We've adapted these milestones into six questions to map your postdoc journey. Like any good map, we've added signposts--click each question below to reveal Stanford resources and programs to reach that milesotone.

Check back frequently, challenge yourself in new areas, and make the most of your postdoc journey at Stanford Pediatrics.

How do I become an expert in my research area?

Discuss science with your mentor and peers
Join professional societies
Attend scientific meetings and conferences
Stay on top of the scientific literature

Stanford Offerings

How do I develop my scientific writing?

Attend journal clubs, special interest clubs, etc.
Discuss yours and others science with your mentor and peers
Attend grant tutorials

Stanford Offerings

How do I gain expertise in leadership and managing teams?

Effectively manage yourself, others, projects, and resources
Motivate and effectively lead others

Stanford Offerings

How do I communicate effectively in my profession?

Writing manuscripts, grant applications, abstracts for meetings, job search documents (CV/resume, cover letter, research and teaching statement)
Speaking – oral and poster presentations; job interviews; chalk talks
Teaching and mentoring
Interpersonal communication skills – conflict management, negotiations, performance review and feedback
Networking

Stanford Offerings

How do I grow as a professional and maintain work-life balance?

Understanding and following professional standards and practices in my scientific specialty
Mentoring younger team members in professional standards for my field
Taking care of myself, finding work/life balance, being an example for my peers
Making good use of Stanford health and wellness benefits and programs

Stanford Offerings

Join an editorial board for a journal in my field
Join the organizing committee of a conference in my field
Join the local, national or international association for my profession
Quarterly Peds Postdoc Community Breakfast - Look for emails from your postdoc team in Peds!
Breakfast with the Associate Dean
Postdoc Wellness Programs
Emergency Grant-In-Aid
Child Care Assistance Grant
Family Grant
Back-Up Child and Elder Care Program
On-Site Child Care
Stanford Postdoc Pet Insurance
Stanford Postdoc Retirement Savings Program
Stanford Postdoc Appreciation Week
Stanford Postdoc Association: SURPAS
Designing Your Postdoc Program
Peds Education Forum
Peds Research Retreat
Peds Diversity + Inclusion Forum
Stanford Insurance Benefits for Postdocs
24 hour counselling hotline for Stanford Postdocs
Faculty Staff Help Center

What is my role in ensuring the responsible conduct of research in my scientific area?

Following and teaching others the ethical norms in research:
Data management
Publications and authorship
Human subject research
Animal use in research
Conflicts of interest
Working with minors

Stanford Offerings

Program for the Protection of Minors at Stanford
Mandated Reporter Training
HIPAA Training
Sexual Harrassment Training
Hiring an intern or volunteer for your lab (Please review the PIPS program and sign up to be a PIPS mentor.)
Responsible Conduct of Research Class
Stanford Research Compliance Office - IRB issues
Stanford Dean of Research
Plagiarism Policy
Managing Research Data Policy
Lab Animal Care Policy
Conflicts of Interest Policy for Research at Stanford
Ombuds Office - a place to seek help for dispute resolution at Stanford

Stanford Office of Pediatric Education | Postdoc Services

In Pediatrics, we have a postdoc team to support you as you pursue your goals. Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.

^{Contact Your Peds Postdoc Team}
^{Manuel Amieva, MD, PhD - Director of Postdoc Affairs}
^{Allison Guerin, EdD, MEd - Director of Pediatric Education & Administration}
^{Margaret Murphy, MSEd - Student, Postdoc, & Visa Services Manager}
^{Ting Zheng, BA - Postdoc & Student Coordinator}

Find a doctor

Clinics & Services

Research Resources

Professional Training

Education Resources