Resources for Postdocs
Resources for Postdocs
Texas A&M College of Medicine is a phenomenal place to begin your research career. With more than 300 faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and staff engaged in a variety of research fields, collaboration and engagement are a top-priority.
Whether your career path is in academia or industry, as a consultant or medical science liaison or something else entirely, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is here to support you. There are many resources at Texas A&M and beyond that can help you achieve success in your career. Explore the information provided here and utilize our office as a resource in your career exploration.
Finding a Mentor or Postdoctoral Position (for prospective postdocs)
Research in the College of Medicine is organized around six broadly defined research areas. If you are a prospective postdoc, finding the right lab or mentor is important as you take this next step in your career. Explore the Research Focus Areas webpages to find out what our faculty are up to with their research.
Texas A&M College of Medicine faculty who are seeking postdoctoral applicants utilize the Texas A&M Health's job site to post open positions. If you do not find the position that fits your interests or skills, contact the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at hsc-postdocaffairs@tamu.edu.
Living in a New Community
Living in a new community can be daunting, especially for those living in a new country for the first time. We have compiled some resources to help you as you settle into your respective community. Learn more about our local communities.
Benefits, Wellness and Employee Relations
Most postdoctoral positions are considered full-time staff positions and therefore are benefits-eligible. They receive the same competitive benefits package as all other employees and are protected by the same rules, regulations and procedures, including paid and parental leave, FMLA, etc. Visit the Employee Relations webpage.
International Postdocs
We are happy that you have chosen Texas A&M University Health Science Center to pursue your postdoctoral training. Texas A&M University's office of Immigration Affairs is charged with providing support and guidance relating to the employment of foreign nationals.
New Postdoc Orientation
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs offers New Postdoctoral Orientation for new postdoctoral scholars twice per year. This orientation will allow new postdocs to connect with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, the Texas A&M Health Postdoctoral Association and other fellow postdocs. It will also introduce them to the resources and services available to them. New postdocs should receive announcements about orientation when registration begins. You can also find information on our events calendar. If you don’t receive these announcements, please email hsc-postdocaffairs@tamu.edu.
Professional Development Events
Whatever your career goals are, your success in reaching those goals requires professional development. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs provides interactive workshops and activities to enhance the technical training you are receiving in the lab. In addition, getting involved in the Texas A&M Health Postdoctoral Association will improve your leadership, management and interpersonal skills. The postdoc calendar is updated regularly with events hosted by Postdoctoral Affairs and the Postdoctoral Association, as well as other departments across Texas A&M University that provide educational opportunities relevant to postdocs.
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs has a YouTube channel with professional development videos available for your viewing.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
All postdoctoral researchers must complete the online CITI RCR training within 60 days of employment, regardless of their source of funding. Also, each postdoctoral researcher must complete an additional four hours of face-to-face Core training within the first six months of his or her employment unless required earlier. Information can be found on the VPR's website.
Career Exploration
In an effort to fulfill the need for career exploration and job search preparation, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the College of Medicine Graduate Program offered a special topics course in 2018. Students learned to develop professional documents, search job listings, improve interview and presentation skills and evaluate their personal strengths. In addition, attendees investigated careers available to the PhD scholar. This course is not currently offered, but materials from the last career development course are available at: Career Development for the PhD Scholar.
Other career explorations resources are:
- Science Careers
- National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) Career Center
- InterSECT Job Simulations
- National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
- Tenure and promotion: the importance of planning and mentoring, a presentation by Blanca Lupiani, Interim Dean of Faculties & Associate Provost, Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology
Presentation slides - SciPhD - Preparing Scientists for Professional Careers
- American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)
- Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS)