2025 National Postdoc Appreciation Week
Celebrate Postdocs at UNC! Join us for National Postdoc Appreciation Week, September 15–19, 2025 – a week of events recognizing the research, innovation, and impact of more than 1000 postdocs across campus.
National Postdoc Appreciation Week is a nationwide celebration that honors the vital contributions postdoctoral scholars make to research, teaching, and innovation. At UNC-Chapel Hill, more than 1000 postdocs are advancing knowledge across every discipline, and we are proud to recognize their achievements with a week of events organized by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, the Postdoctoral Association (PDA), and our campus partners.
This year’s programming includes social gatherings, professional development opportunities, career panels, and community events, along with highlights such as the annual Postdoc Luncheon, free professional headshots, and a private Morehead Planetarium show. All postdocs are welcome—join us in celebrating the outstanding work and dedication of our postdoctoral community.
monday| coffee, pastries, & games with the postdoc association
Event: Coffee & Pastries on GMB Lawn w/PDA
Date: Monday, September 15th
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Where: Genetic Medicine Building Lawn, 124 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Registration: None required!
Kick off National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2025 with a fun and relaxing noon break on the Genetic Medicine Lawn! On Monday, enjoy coffee, pastries, and lighthearted games while connecting with fellow postdocs across campus. It’s a great chance to step away from research, meet new colleagues, and start the week of celebrations on a high note. All postdocs are welcome!
Monday | Headshots for Postdocs
Event: Headshots for Postdocs
Date: Monday, September 15th
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Where: Medical Biomolecular Research Building (MBRB) 2nd Floor Lobby
Registration: https://apps2.research.unc.edu/events/index.cfm?event=events.go&key=CABA
Elevate your professional image with this FREE headshot session for UNC postdocs! A professionally captured image can leave a memorable mark on colleagues, hiring managers, and potential employers. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your portfolio! Spaces are limited so please sign up soon for one of the four sessions between 02:00-03:00 PM on Monday September 15th.
tuesday | Postdoc Coffee Break with ISSS
Event: Postdoc Coffee Break with ISSS
Date: Tuesday, September 16th
Time: 09:30 – 10:30 am
Where: 4th Floor FedEx Global Education Center
Registration: https://go.unc.edu/coffeebreak
Join ISSS and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for an informal drop-in during National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Join us to meet your international scholar advisor, the director of ISSS, and enjoy a cup of coffee. Please note general questions will be answered, some inquiries may require a more thorough 1:1 meeting with your international scholar advisor. All university-sponsored international scholars are invited to attend. Coffee and tea will be provided while supplies last. Questions? Email [email protected]
tuesday | Postdoc Research Cafe
Event: Recognizing the potential in lymphatic research: How a once-ignored system is gaining momentum to understanding disease
Date: Tuesday, September 16th
Time: 06:00 – 7:00 pm
Where: Chapel Hill Public Library
Registration: None required – just show up!
Lymphatic vessels run parallel with blood vessels in our body and are critical for maintaining our health. For centuries, the lymphatic system has been overlooked and understudied. Yet, lymphatic diseases, such as lymphedema, affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide without effective treatment options. In this talk, Drs. Yanna Tian and Laszlo Balint provide insight into the most recent discoveries in lymphatic research and how a better understanding of the lymphatic vasculature may propel the development of groundbreaking novel therapies. Join us on Tuesday, September 16th, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Chapel Hill Public Library.
We will serve light refreshments during the talk. This event is made possible with the support of UNC Carolina Seminars and UNC’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
wednesday| Postdoc appreciation breakfast
Event: Postdoc Appreciation Breakfast, Sponsored by BioSTAR
Date: Wednesday, September 17th
Time: 08:30 – 10:00 am
Where: Bioinformatics Lobby, 130 Mason Farm Road
Registration: https://apps2.research.unc.edu/events/index.cfm?event=events.go&key=CAA8
Kick off the day with the Postdoc Appreciation Breakfast, generously sponsored by the Biomedical Science Training and Research (BioSTAR) Office, formerly known as the School of Medicine’s Office of Graduate Education in Bioinformatics. Enjoy a hot breakfast, fresh coffee, and connect with fellow postdocs as part of National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2025. Breakfast will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register in advance so we can plan the food order.
wednesday | Building Resilience: Developing Skills for Life’s Challenges
Event: UNC Webinar | Building Resilience: Developing Skills for Life’s Challenges
Date: Wednesday, September 17th
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Where: Zoom (link provided following registration)
Registration: https://go.unc.edu/ResilienceSkills
Despite our best efforts, life can sometimes take us by surprise. Whether you are faced with disappointments and challenges at work, in your personal life, or in a job search, how you handle them can make a difference in your mood and outlook. Join us for an overview of how resilience can strengthen your resolve for the tough times. Strategies for developing resilience, effectively managing stress, and enhancing well-being will be shared.
Denise Saunders, PhD is a Licensed Psychologist in private practice in Chapel Hill, NC where she provides career development, consultation and counseling services to her clientele. In addition to private practice, she is a Career Counselor for the Office of Intramural Training and Education at the NIH. She provides career services to trainees at NIH campuses, primarily NIEHS in the RTP of North Carolina. She enjoys helping graduate students, postdocs, and early career professionals with their career planning and life/career transitions. She holds an MS in Counseling and a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Florida State University and has worked in higher education, independent practice, for-profit business and government.
WEDNESDAY | POSTDOC PLANETARIUM SHOW
Event: Postdoc Planetarium Show: Messengers of Time and Space
Date: Wednesday, September 17th
Time: 4:45 – 6:00 pm
Where: UNC Morehead Planetarium
Registration: https://apps2.research.unc.edu/events/index.cfm?event=events.go&key=CACD
All UNC-CH postdocs are invited to a free screening of the Morehead Planetarium show Messengers of Time and Space, which will be followed by a live tour of the Carolina night sky. Families are welcome to attend. Please arrive by 4:45 PM, as the show will begin promptly at 5:00 PM. Late entries cannot be admitted once the show has started.
About the show: Witness the revolution of astronomy! As we gaze upward with our unaided eyes, the sky appears as it did to our ancestors – a Universe seemingly calm and tranquil. Yet, we also know space to be an active place, where dynamic events can be observed unfolding — even on human timescales — including newly discovered asteroids, violent stellar explosions, and colliding black holes. Novel technologies are now exposing these fascinating “time-domain events” in unprecedented ways. This exciting show opens audiences to intriguing new discoveries made by an array of specialized telescopes and other instruments, unveiling the Universe as never before.
Thank You Thursday!
“Thank You Thursday” is a day for faculty mentors/PIs/supervisors to express their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of postdoc(s) they mentor/supervise. Whether it’s hosting a small gathering, writing a thoughtful note, giving a shout-out on social media, or treating them to coffee or lunch, there are many meaningful ways to say, “thank you.” Let’s use this opportunity to celebrate the talent, energy, and commitment that postdocs bring to our Carolina community!
thursday| prepp virtual panel: the faculty job search
Event: PREPP: The Faculty Job Search
Date: Thursday, September 18th
Time: 12:00 – 01:15 pm
Where: Virtual
Registration: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/33d2c0bd3a8c4f48874de7af80577962
The POSTDOC READINESS to ENTER the PROFESSORSHIP PROGRAM (PREPP) is a professional development initiative designed to equip postdoctoral scholars with the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to successfully transition into faculty positions. Established and coordinated by the North Carolina State University Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, co-sponsored by UNC-CH and other System Schools, PREPP aims to provide targeted guidance on critical aspects of the faculty job search and career progression. Through a series of interactive panel discussions featuring faculty and administrators from UNC system institutions, PREPP offers practical strategies for navigating the academic job market, securing faculty positions, and effectively managing early-career faculty responsibilities. By leveraging expertise from across the UNC system, the program ensures that postdocs receive diverse perspectives and actionable advice on preparing for the professoriate.
In this first session of the Fall 2025 series, assistant professors share how they planned and organized their job searches for faculty positions.
thursday| careers in the social sciences – virtual panel
Event: Career Panel for Social Science Postdocs
Date: Thursday, September 18th
Time: 12:00 – 01:00 pm
Where: Virtual
Registration: https://utah.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6PagVLw4uvWiFpA
This online panel of speakers from throughout the country will discuss diverse, non-academic career paths for PhDs and 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 on what skills social scientists need to be successful in their fields of work.
friday| Postdoc luncheon
Event: Postdoc Luncheon
Date: Friday, September 19th
Time: 12:00 – 01:00 pm
Where: FedEx Building
Registration: https://apps2.research.unc.edu/events/index.cfm?event=events.go&key=CACE
Join the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for the biggest event of National Postdoc Appreciation Week: the annual UNC Postdoc Appreciation Luncheon! From 12:00-1:00 PM on Friday 19th September, a FREE lunch will be served for all UNC postdocs at the FedEx Global Education Center! Please note, registration is required by Sept 17th and a valid UNC One Card will be required at sign-in.
saturday| cross triangle bbq
Event: Annual Cross-Triangle BBQ
Date: Saturday, September 20th
Time: 01:00 – 04:00 pm
Where: Forest Hills Park, 1639 University Dr, Durham, NC 27707 (Google Link)
Registration: https://forms.gle/TsjpMQmkxU9yKHb3A
Once per year, the heavenly bodies align to mark the threshold through which postdocs can finally become appreciated nation-wide. In celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, the PDAs of UNC-CH, Duke, ECU, and NCSU cross the threshold together and extend a warm welcome to you all to join us for a Cross-Triangle BBQ on Saturday, September 20th! Friends and family are welcome!
This will be an event full of eating, drinking, and overall merriment. Meet your academic peers from across the 15-501, the 40… and beyond! The event will be held at a large picnic shelter at Forest Hills Park in Durham, NC. There will be an $8 per person fee to register for this event. In order to complete the registration, you must both fill out the RSVP form and complete payment to the event’s treasurer, Kirsten Giesbrecht. The form and payment must be completed by end of day Thursday, September 11 for you to be completely registered for the event. Payment can be either through Venmo or Zelle. Directions for making the payment are provided in the RSVP link.
National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2024
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The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is excited to announce the 2024 programming for National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW), taking place from Sept 15-20! In collaboration with campus partners, including the Postdoctoral Association (PDA), we are offering a range of exciting events throughout the week, including a Triangle BBQ, complimentary professional headshots, career panels, a free visit to the Morehead Planetarium, a postdoc appreciation lunch, and more! See below for a full list of activities, along with details for how to register. Happy NPAW!
Triangle Cross-Campus BBQ
Event: Triangle Cross-Campus Social
Date: Sunday, September 15th
Time: 3:30 – 6:00 pm
Where: Ritter Park (Rotary Shelter), 301 W Lochmere Dr, Cary, NC 27518.
Registration: https://go.unc.edu/TriangleBBQ
Details: All UNC postdocs are invited to attend a CROSS-CAMPUS SOCIAL from 3:30 – 6:00 pm on Sunday, 15th September. There will be plenty of FREE food, and family members are welcome to join! Following on from the success of last year’s Triangle Social, this event presents a unique opportunity to connect with postdocs across the Triangle area, with representation from North Carolina State University, Duke University, East Carolina University, North Carolina Central University, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The event will take place at Ritter Park (Rotary Shelter), 301 W Lochmere Dr, Cary, NC 27518. To give us an idea of the numbers attending, and to facilitate ridesharing, we ask that you please register for the event in advance. We look forward to seeing everyone for BBQ, Pizza, and lots of fun!! Please note: Vegetarian options will be provided, and there will be a shelter to protect from sun exposure and bad weather.
Organizers: UNC Postdoc Association (PDA), North Carolina State University PDA, Duke University PDA. Sponsored by Bayer.
Immigration Advisor Cafe
Event: Immigration Advisor Cafe
Date: Monday September 16th
Time: 9:00-10:00 AM
Where: FedEx GEC 4th Floor
Registration: go.unc.edu/cafe
Details: Join ISSS and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for an informal drop-in advising hour during National Postdoc Appreciation Week! Join us to meet your international scholar advisor, the director of ISSS, and enjoy some light refreshments. Please note general questions will be answered, some inquiries may require a more thorough 1:1 meeting with your international scholar advisor. All university-sponsored international scholars and mentors are invited to attend. Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be provided while supplies last.
Organizers: International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) & Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
Postdoc Headshot Session
Event: Postdoc Headshot Session
Date: Monday September 16th
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Where: Medical Biomolecular Research Building (MBRB) 2nd Floor Lobby
Registration: https://go.unc.edu/Headshot
Details: Elevate your professional image with this FREE headshot session for UNC postdocs! A professionally captured image can leave a memorable mark on colleagues, hiring managers, and potential employers. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your portfolio! Spaces are limited so please sign up soon for one of the four sessions between 2:00-3:00 PM on Monday September 16th.
Organizers: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) & UNC Office of Research Communications
Popsicle Social
Notice: Due to adverse weather forecast, the “International Hangout + Popsicles” event has been postponed to a day with more favorable weather conditions. Information for the rescheduled event will be communicated through e-mail.
Date: Monday, September 16th
Time: 5:00-7:00 PM (drop by any time!)
Where: Umstead Park
Registration: No Registration Required
Description: Beat the heat and unwind with the UNC Postdoc Association and International Postdoc Alliance (IPA) at our Popsicle Social! Drop by Umstead Park anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 PM for some fun yard games like cornhole, giant Jenga, and ring toss, while enjoying refreshing popsicles with fellow postdocs. Popsicles are first-come, first-served, so come early and bring your friends or family to this relaxing, friendly gathering. Look for the PDA sign on the lawn near the shelter—we can’t wait to see you there!
Organizers: UNC International Postdoc Alliance (IPA) & Postdoc Association (PDA)
Career Panel | From Training to Success
Event: Career Panel & Networking Event
Date: Tuesday September 17th
Time: Career Panel 1:00-2:00PM; Networking Reception 2:00-2:30PM
Where: Bioinformatics Building 1131 & Lobby
Registration: https://go.unc.edu/CareerTransitionPanel
Details: Join the UNC Postdoc Association for an insightful panel discussion featuring esteemed alumni who completed their graduate and/or postdoc training in the Triangle area and successfully transitioned into careers. Discover their unique journeys, learn how they navigated the job market, identify key industry keywords, and secure impactful references. From Training to Career, this panel will offer valuable insights to help you prepare for your own transition. Join us on Tuesday, September 17th, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm in Conference Room 1131 (Bioinformatics), followed by a networking session in the lobby.
Organizers: UNC Postdoc Association (PDA), Training Initiatives in Biomedical and Biological Sciences (TIBBS), & the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA).
PDA-BIPOC Postdoc Alliance Unity Coffee Hour
Event: PDA-BIPOC Postdoc Alliance Unity Coffee Hour
Date: Wednesday September 18th
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Location: Sonja Hayes Stone Center for Research in Black Culture and History (Atrium)
Registration: https://go.unc.edu/UnityBIPOC
Details: Please join the BIPOC Postdoctoral Alliance for a coffee break to engage in meaningful conversations with faculty and staff across an array of departments and centers on UNC’s diverse campus. Enjoy refreshments, fresh air, and invaluable expertise from those who excel in their professions – prospective careers following your postdoctoral journey! Guests include leadership from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, researchers in the biomedical, public health, and mental health fields, representatives from the American Indian Center, Latinx Center, and the Center for Student Success. Take home Postdoc Appreciation gift bags!
Organizers: UNC Postdoc Association’s BIPOC Alliance, The Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity (CPPFD), The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, with generous sponsorship from UNC’s Peer Support Core.
Postdoc Research Café
Event: Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery: How Tumor Biology Informs Cancer Treatment
Date: Wednesday September 18th
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Where: Chapel Hill Public Library
Registration: None Required
Details: A cancer diagnosis can be life-altering, but ongoing research is making significant strides in developing new and more effective treatments. Understanding the unique biology of both the tumor and the patient is crucial in advancing anti-cancer therapies. In this second installment of our “Cells Gone Rogue” series, Dr. Travis Nelson and Dr. Patrick Raedler will discuss how insights into tumor biology and individual patient profiles are shaping cancer treatments. Join us on Wednesday, September 18, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Chapel Hill Public Library for an engaging exploration of this critical topic. Join the Research Cafe Listserv here.
Organizers: UNC Postdoc Association (PDA) & Office of Postdoc Affairs
Thank You Thursday!
Event: Thank You Thursday!
Date: Thursday September 19th
Time: All Day
Details: “Thank You Thursday” is a day for faculty mentors to express their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the postdocs in their research groups. Whether it’s hosting a small gathering, writing a thoughtful note, giving a shout-out on social media, or treating them to coffee or lunch, there are many meaningful ways to say “thank you.” Let’s use this opportunity to celebrate the talent, energy, and commitment that postdocs bring to our academic community!
Organizers: Faculty Mentors
Career Panel in the Social Sciences (Virtual)
Event: Career Panel in the Social Sciences (Virtual)
Date: Thursday September 19th
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Registration: https://go.unc.edu/Td9s2
Details: Join SPHERE for their second annual social sciences career panel. An online panel of speakers from throughout the country will discuss 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.
SPHERE is a community of higher education professionals focused on supporting the needs of postdoctoral scholars in non-biomedical disciplines across the United States. Find out more about SPHERE on their website.
Organizers: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) & SPHERE (Community of Practice for Social and Physical Sciences, Humanities, Engineering Resources and Education)
Postdoc Planetarium Show | Carolina Skies
Event: Planetarium Show | Carolina Skies
Date: Thursday September 19th
Time: 4:45-6:00 PM
Where: UNC Morehead Planetarium
Registration: https://go.unc.edu/Planetarium2024
Details: The “Carolina Skies” tour is never the same twice! Led by a Morehead educator, this live star show offers a glimpse of the North Carolina night sky on that very evening. Discover how to identify stars, planets, and constellations, and unravel the ancient myths and legends inspired by the night sky. Brace yourself for an exhilarating “fly-out” experience that travels beyond our Solar System, through the Milky Way Galaxy, and into the vast universe. Secure Your Seats Today & Reach for the Stars! Arrive by 4:50 PM at Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill! If you have kids or a partner we would be happy to see them there!
Organizers: UNC Postdoc Association (PDA)
2024 Postdoc Appreciation Luncheon
Event: Postdoc Appreciation Lunch & Photobooth
Date: Friday September 20th
Time: 12:30-1:30 PM
Where: FedEx Global Education Center 301 Pittsboro Street
Registration: https://go.unc.edu/2024PostdocLuncheon
Details: Join the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for the biggest event of National Postdoc Appreciation Week: the annual UNC Postdoc Appreciation Luncheon & Photobooth! From 12:30-1:30 PM on Friday 20th September, a FREE lunch will be served for all UNC postdocs at the FedEx Global Education! Center! Please note, registration is required by Sept 18th and a valid UNC One Card will be required at sign-in.
Organizers: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) & International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS)
Postdoc Board Game Night
Event: Postdoc Board Game Night
Date: Friday September 20th
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Where: The Gathering Place
Registration: No Registration Required
Details: Come on out and socialize over some board games with your fellow postdocs! The PDA will be wrapping up NPAW with a Board Game Social at The Gathering Place in Chapel Hill at 6PM on Friday, September 20th! There’s no cost to participate and the board game library is vast! We hope to see you there!
Organizers: UNC Postdoc Association (PDA)