In Academic Year 2024/25, The Graduate College at the University of Vermont is establishing The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.  We define a postdoctoral scholar, per the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA), as “an individual holding a doctoral degree who is engaged in a temporary period of mentored research and/or scholarly training for the purpose of acquiring the professional skills needed to pursue a career path of [their] choosing.”

UVM values the vital contributions Postdoctoral Associates and Fellows (“Postdoctoral Scholars”) make to our intellectual community and to UVM’s research enterprise. We are committed to rendering Postdoctoral Scholars’ time at UVM professionally and personally rewarding.

Mission of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

• serve as a central source of expertise, guidance, support, and advocacy for Postdoctoral Scholars, their faculty, and administrators;
• collaborate with the Office of Research, faculty, academic units, and other campus partners to grow the number and disciplinary breadth of Postdoctoral Scholars, broaden participation in postdoctoral training, and support recruitment of diverse scholars;
• identify and advocate for the distinctive needs of Postdoctoral Scholars and collaborate with the Office of Research, faculty, academic units, Postdoctoral Association, and other campus partners to meet those needs and optimize the postdoctoral experience;
• support, enhance, and promote postdoctoral training opportunities and professional and career development to help prepare Postdoctoral Scholars for successful research careers in the academy, government, industry, and other sectors;
• educate Postdoctoral Scholars, faculty, and campus community about University policies and concerns related to Postdoctoral Scholars and provide assistance to Postdoctoral Scholars, faculty, and administrative units in dealing with postdoctoral administrative issues;
• increase the visibility of Postdoctoral Scholars across UVM