Career Development
Postdoctoral trainees (PDTs) come to the University for further training in their chosen discipline. An individual who has been designated as a PDT by their school receives training conducted in an apprenticeship mode under the supervision of an established faculty member who serves as a mentor. As dictated by the nature of the program, the trainee may be undertaking scholarship, research, service, and teaching activities, all of which provide training essential for career development. Because education is a preeminent mission of the University and because PDTs are professionals in training, it is important that PDT programs be designed to advance their careers.
~ The Policy for Postdoctoral Trainees at the University of Pennsylvania, 2023
- Career Services
- BPP Career Development Series
- PPA - Career Enhancement and Training (CET) Committee
- Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
- External Career Development Resources
- Professional Societies
Career Services
Penn Career Services is dedicated to supporting postdoctoral scholars in exploring and achieving their professional goals. Through tailored advising, workshops, and resources, we help postdocs navigate both academic and non-academic career paths, fostering growth and success beyond their research training. Their website offers a wide range of resources, and below are some helpful links to get you started in exploring their services.
BPP Career Development Series
BPP's workshop series equips postdocs with essential job search skills, insights into academic and industry careers, and guidance on diverse professional paths. Featuring expert speakers and Penn postdoc alumni, sessions cover topics such as CV and interview strategies, navigating the academic job market, exploring industry opportunities, and alternative careers for biomedical scientists.
PPA - Career Enhancement and Training (CET) Committee
PPA - Career Enhancement and Training (CET) Committee Website
The Penn Postdoctoral Association's Career Enhancement and Training (CET) Committee works to create professional development programming to enhance postdoc training. The committee puts on career events, seminars, and facilitates activities in collaboration with the Office of Postdoctoral, Biomedical Postdoc Programs, and Penn Career Services. Our recent initiatives include faculty job market chalk talk training and seminars on fellowship application preparation.
Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Penn’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs also offers a wide range of professional development resources to help postdocs build skills and advance their careers. These resources support research success, networking, and exploration of diverse career paths. Visit their site to access tools, training opportunities, and guidance tailored to postdoctoral scholars.
External Career Development Resources
In addition to Penn’s resources, these external resources offer valuable tools, training, and networking opportunities for biomedical postdocs:
- National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) - Provides webinars, toolkits, and career development guides, plus an annual conference focused on postdoctoral success.
- Flamingo™ From SciPhD - Flamingo™ guides you in generating targeted resumes based on job descriptions and your own skills, experiences, and accomplishments.
- MyIDP - An interactive tool to assess skills and interests and create a personalized Individual Development Plan.
- ImaginePhD - Career planning tool for PhDs, useful for exploring transferable skills and nonacademic paths.
- Beyond the Professoriate - Online training platform for transitioning into academic or nonacademic careers.
- NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) - Offers archived workshops on grant writing, networking, and job searches.
- National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) - Provides mentoring and career development resources for researchers and faculty.
Professional Societies
Joining professional societies in your field can be a powerful way to expand your network, access specialized job boards, and participate in conferences and workshops. Many societies—such as the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), American Society for Microbiology (ASM), and Society for Neuroscience—offer career development programs, mentoring opportunities, and resources tailored to biomedical scientists.