National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2025

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 Affairs and the Utah Postdoctoral Association are delighted to join other postdoctoral offices and associations around the country to celebrate this special occasion! We have organized several exceptional events to raise awareness and express gratitude for the great work done by our postdoctoral scholars!

To make things easier for everyone, all NPAW events can be accessed through one RSVP portal. Please click here to go to the week’s special sign-up portal!

Schedule of Events for NPAW 2025

Monday, September 15

Department, Center, or Unit level appreciation celebrations

Tuesday, September 16

UPDA Breakfast Social
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB), Room 2600 UPDA NPAW Breakfast Social
Building Info: https://ehseb.utah.edu/about/maps/
Parking Info: https://ehseb.utah.edu/amenities/parking/
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: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Eccles Health Science Education Building, Room 2600
Building Info: https://ehseb.utah.edu/about/maps/
Parking Info: https://ehseb.utah.edu/amenities/parking/
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 17

Headshots and Breakfast Events

Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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.
Building Info:https://medicine.utah.edu/biochemistry/contact-us
Parking Info: Public garage across the street
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 (left side of map).
Building and Parking Info:https://lib.utah.edu/info/directions.php

Reflections and Advice from Recently Successful Postdocs on th Job Market

Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
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. More details about this event can be found here!

Thursday, September 18

Third Annal Career Panel for Social Science Postdocs/ "A Day in the Life" Session 2

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
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: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Eccles Health Science Education Building, Room 2600
Building Info: https://ehseb.utah.edu/about/maps/
Parking Info: https://ehseb.utah.edu/amenities/parking/

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: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: Eccles Health Science Education Building, Second Floor Atrium
Building Info: https://ehseb.utah.edu/about/maps/
Parking Info: https://ehseb.utah.edu/amenities/parking/

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: 1:00 pm - 14:30 pm
Location: Eccles Health Science Education Building, Room 2938
Building Info: https://ehseb.utah.edu/about/maps/
Parking Info: https://ehseb.utah.edu/amenities/parking/

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 19

Bowling with the UPDA

Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: Bowling Alley, 1st Floor, A. Ray Olpin Student Union (200 S Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112)
Building and Parking Info Info:https://www.union.utah.edu/about-us/building-information/parking/

Come join the UPDA and your fellow postdocs for a bowling party at the Ray Olpin Student Union! The bowling alley can be found on the first floor of the Union (#142 on the map).

Post-Bowling Pizza Party with the UPDA

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: A. Ray Olpin Student Union (200 S Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112)
Building and Parking Info:https://www.union.utah.edu/about-us/building-information/parking/

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!

Building & Parking Info: https://www.union.utah.edu/about-us/building-information/parking/