Skip to content

National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) 2025

National Postdoc Awareness Week Title

The National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) is an initiative sponsored by the National Postdoctoral Association to recognize the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to U.S. research and institutions. The week starting at the third Monday in September was officially recognized as NPAW by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. Postdoctoral offices and associations around the world hold special events throughout the week to raise awareness and express gratitude for the great work of their postdoctoral scholars. 

 ***RSVP Portal Now Open***

 

Schedule of Events for National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2025

  • Monday, September 15th - Department, Center, or Unit-level appreciation celebrations

  • Tuesday, September 16th

UPDA Breakfast Social
Time: 10am to 11am
Location: Eccles Health Science Education Building, Room 2600

Come and enjoy a gourmet breakfast with the UPDA. Get to know their great members, what they do, and how you can get involved improving the postdoc experience at the U!

UPDA Workshop: Time Management Skills
Time: 11am to 12:30pm
Location: Eccles Health Science Education Building, Room 2600

Join the UPDA in welcoming our Career Strategist Dominic Militello for a fascinating workshop outlining several tips and best practices you can use to help spend your time more effectively and efficiently.

 

  • Wednesday, September 17th 

Headshots and Breakfast Events
Time: 11am to 1pm
Location: Various Places

This year, Postdoc Affairs and the UPDA are offering two opportunities to meet up for breakfast and a free professional headshot!  Both events will be held at the same time and have attendance caps. Please sign up for the event that is most convenient for you!

Health Science Campus: The Headshots and Breakfast event for the health science campus will be held in the atrium of the Biomedical Polymers Research Building. The photographer will be able to accept 24 postdocs for this event. Postdocs interested in this event should select a time slot for their headshot in our NPAW RSVP form.

Main Campus: The Headshots and Breakfast event for main campus will be held at Marriott Library, Room 1705. This event will be held in collaboration with Marriott Library's "Headshot Wednesdays" event, and will be able to accept 15 postdocs. This event will be first-come-first-served. Interested postdocs should arrive promptly at 11am to secure their place in the queue. Breakfast will be available in the "Meeting Space" within Marriott 1705.

Reflections and Advice from Recently Successful Postdocs on the Job Market
Time: 1pm - 2pm
Location: Zoom

Celebrate National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) with the Intermountain West Postdoc Alliance's event “Reflections and Advice from Recently Successful Postdocs on the Job Market” 

This panel allows you to learn from postdocs who have recently transitioned into their next roles. You will learn about their successful job searches and may even learn some tips to help you with your own job search.

The Intermountain West Postdoc Alliance is comprised of postdoc support offices at the University of Texas El Paso, the University of Colorado Boulder, and the University of Utah.

  • Thursday, September 18th

Third Annual Career Panel for Social Science Postdocs / "A Day In the Life" Session 2
Time: 10am - 11am
Location: Zoom

An online panel of speakers from throughout the country will discuss diverse, non-academic career paths for postdocs in the social sciences. Speakers will share tips for getting the most out of your social science postdoc, reflect on how they navigated the job market, and explore their views of what skills social scientists need to be successful in the future.

NPAW Keynote Address: "Communicating Research for Impact" with Dr. Sophia Friesen
Time: 11am - 12pm
Location: Eccles Health Science Education Building, Room 2600

In the current research climate, many scientists are looking for ways to help people understand what they do—and why it matters. In this talk, join Dr. Friesen as they walk through some general strategies for communicating about your work with a wide variety of audiences, as well as provide you with additional tools and resources to further level-up your communications.

As research communications manager for University of Utah Health, Sophia Friesen works to help researchers’ impactful work reach broad audiences. They spend their days tracking down great research, interviewing scientists like you, and writing stories about research. Prior to their position at U of U Health, Sophia studied the biology of tissue growth in their doctoral work at UC Berkeley, while finding ways to write, talk, and do radio about awesome science.

NPAW Keynote Luncheon and Poster Session
Time: 12pm - 1pm
Location: Eccles Health Science Education Building, Second Floor Atrium

After the keynote, please join us for lunch and a riveting poster session highlighting some of the great research done by Utah postdocs. All disciplines are welcome!

NPAW Keynote Skills Workshop: Elevator Pitches
Time: 1pm - 2:30pm
Location: Eccles Health Science Education Building, Room 2938

At this workshop, you’ll work with Dr. Friesen to learn and practice the skills to refine your message as you craft a research “elevator pitch”—a brief, accessible verbal presentation that’s tailored to your goals. You’ll have the chance to practice, get peer feedback, and ask questions as you create your pitch.

  • Friday, September 19th 

Bowling with the UPDA
Time: 4pm - 6pm
Location: Bowling Alley, 1st Floor, Ray Olpin Student Union (200 S Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112)

Come join the UPDA and your fellow postdocs for a bowling party at the Ray Olpin Student Union! 

Post-Bowling Pizza Party with the UPDA
Time: 6pm - 7pm
Location: Ray Olpin Student Union (200 S Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112)

Stick around after bowling to enjoy some pizza with the UPDA. As NPAW concludes this is a great opportunity to chat about ways to appreciate postdocs throughout the rest of the year!  

 

Questions? Please email them to Dr. Neil Vander Most, Associate Director of Postdoctoral Affairs at neil.vandermost@utah.edu or the UPDA at UPDA@utah.edu.

Last Updated: 8/11/25