Postdoc Career Mentor Network
The UNC Postdoc Career Mentor Network pairs postdoctoral scholars with experienced professionals for one-on-one conversations centered on sharing professional perspectives. The program offers postdocs the opportunity to learn from individuals who have successfully navigated career transitions, gain perspective on different career paths, expand their professional networks, and make more informed career decisions.
The network offers two mentoring tracks to reflect the diverse career aspirations of UNC postdoctoral scholars:
- Academic Career Mentors – Faculty and academic leaders who provide guidance on topics such as research independence, faculty career pathways, grant funding, leadership, and navigating the academic job market.
- Non-Academic Career Mentors – Professionals working across industry, government, nonprofit organizations, consulting, science communication, research administration, and other sectors who provide insight into careers beyond academia, hiring practices, workplace culture, and career transitions.
Mentors and postdocs are thoughtfully matched based on career interests, professional goals, and shared experiences. During the 2026 pilot program, participants will meet for three one-on-one conversations over the course of the fall semester, with meetings taking place virtually or in person as mutually agreed.
The UNC Postdoc Career Mentor Network is designed to complement, rather than replace, the mentoring postdocs receive from their faculty advisors — offering additional perspectives, practical guidance, and professional connections that support informed career planning alongside their research training.
Please note: while organizers will try to pair all postdocs who register, spots are limited and matches cannot be guaranteed. Early registration is encouraged.
Postdoc Registrations Will Close on August 28th, 2026
How It Works
The UNC Postdoc Career Mentor Network is a structured mentoring program designed to connect postdoctoral scholars with experienced professionals who can provide career-focused guidance.
- Apply – Postdocs register their interest in taking part in the program by completing a brief application outlining their career interests, goals, and mentoring preferences. Applicants will also submit a CV or Resume, which will be shared with their mentor.
- Matching – Each participant is paired with an Academic or Non-Academic Career Mentor based on career interests, professional goals, and shared experiences. This will be followed by a short virtual orientation in early September.
- Meet Your Mentor – Once matched, OPA sends an email introduction connecting you and your mentor, then steps back to let the relationship take its course. From there, it’s up to you to reach out and find a time that works for both of you. Mentor-mentee pairs meet for three 45-minute conversations during the semester, virtually or in person, as mutually agreed.
- Build Your Network – Mentors provide career insights, share their experiences, answer questions, and help postdocs expand their professional network and understanding of potential career pathways. All participating postdocs will be offered a free Clifton Strengths assessment in early October to help them articulate their strengths.
Timeline (Fall 2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
All current UNC postdoctoral scholars are eligible to apply, regardless of department, field, or career stage within the postdoc appointment. You don’t need to have a specific career path decided – the program is open to postdocs exploring academic careers, non-academic careers, or still weighing both.
Our mentors are professionals who volunteer their time because they genuinely want to help postdocs navigate the transition to the next stage of their careers. They span a wide range of sectors and seniority levels — from early-career scientists a few years out from their postdoc to VP- and Chancellor-level leaders — so mentees can connect with someone whose path resonates with where they’re headed.
Non-academic mentors currently represent fields including business development, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, clinical diagnostics, biotech R&D, medical/science writing, consulting, bioinformatics, and pharmaceutical science, at organizations ranging from large pharma and biotech companies to CROs and consulting firms. Academic mentors include faculty and research leaders across departments such as Pathology, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Chemistry, as well as leadership roles like Associate Chair for Research and Vice Chancellor for Research.
We don’t publish individual mentor bios – instead, you’ll share your career interests and goals on your application, and our team will match you with a mentor whose background and path align with what you’re looking to explore. This lets us focus on fit rather than name recognition, and ensures everyone gets a thoughtful match rather than a popularity contest for a handful of “top” mentors.
Mentoring conversations are designed to help you gain career clarity, expand your professional network, learn how mentors have navigated their own career transitions, and practice articulating your strengths and goals to others. It’s an opportunity for honest, low-stakes professional dialogue — not formal career coaching or a guaranteed job connection.
Not necessarily. We’ll do our best to match every applicant based on career interests and goals, but slots are limited in this first pilot round. Registering is not a guarantee of a match.
Your resume/CV, along with your responses about your career goals and what you’d like to discuss during your conversations, will be shared with your matched mentor. This helps them prepare and tailor your conversations to what matters most to you.
Once you’re matched, OPA will send an email introduction to you and your mentor — and then step back. From there, it’s up to you and your mentor to schedule your three conversations based on mutual availability.
Pilot cohort participants will attend a short virtual orientation in early September. All participating postdocs will also be offered the opportunity to take part in a Clifton Strengths session.
Mentors are volunteering their time and expertise, so we ask that you respect their schedule, communicate professionally, and come prepared to your conversations. The program is designed to facilitate the connection — making the most of it is up to you.
The mentoring relationship can be ended at any time by either participant — no explanation needed. Just email [email protected] to let us know.
This is a pilot program for Fall 2026, but we hope to run another cycle in the near future.