Postdoctoral Resources
Professional Development Opportunities
at Texas A&M UniversityCenter for Teaching Excellence
CTEThe Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) provides workshops and resources to enhance teaching practices, develop curricula, build STEM teaching skills, and create teaching portfolios—ideal for those pursuing academic careers.
Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning
CIRTLTexas A&M is a member of the CIRTL Network, a National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative to enhance STEM higher education. CIRTL focuses on preparing STEM educators to implement effective teaching practices for diverse student audiences while advancing their professional careers. Texas A&M-CIRTL offers professional development programs for postdoctoral researchers, supporting efforts to improve STEM education, increase diversity in STEM fields, and enhance STEM literacy nationwide.
Career Center
The Texas A&M Career Center provides a range of professional development workshops designed to support career planning and advancement. Postdoctoral scholars are welcome to participate in workshops on a space-available basis, gaining access to resources such as resume and CV development, interview preparation, job search strategies, networking, and career exploration across academic, industry, and alternative career paths.
Individual Development Plans
IDPsNational Science Foundation (NSF) Plans
The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires all research proposals requesting postdoctoral support to include a mentoring plan. These one-page supplementary documents outline how postdoctoral researchers will be mentored and are evaluated under the Broader Impacts review criterion. For detailed guidance, see the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (Chapter II, Section C.2.j, and Chapter III, Section A). A sample mentoring plan is available to assist researchers in developing their submissions.
Career Planning Tool for Postdoctoral Scholars
myIDP is a career planning tool developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), and academic experts to help postdoctoral scholars identify their professional development needs and career goals. The tool provides a structured process to create a personalized plan, track progress, and explore diverse career paths. Designed specifically for scientists, myIDP supports thoughtful career planning and skill-building. Additionally, using this tool satisfies the NIH’s recommendation for Individual Development Plans in NIH-sponsored training and research awards.
Mentoring Resources
Postdoc Compact
The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) developed the “Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors” to foster productive discussions about the postdoc-mentor relationship. This compact outlines the commitments necessary to ensure a high-quality postdoctoral training experience and provides a framework for establishing clear, mutual expectations. The AAMC also offers guidance on how the compact can be utilized to enhance communication and support professional development during the postdoctoral training period.
Resources for Early-Career Researchers
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) offers valuable resources designed to support the development of early-career scientists. One key resource is “Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty,” which compiles practical advice from experienced biomedical researchers. This guide covers a variety of essential topics, including a chapter on “Mentoring and Being Mentored,” offering insights that can be especially useful for postdocs mentoring graduate students. The guide is available in both PDF format and free printed copies.
Responsible Conduct of Research
RCRNIH and NSF Requirements and Training
Both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) require that graduate students and postdoctoral scholars receiving funding through their training grants complete formal education in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). These requirements ensure that researchers are trained in ethical practices related to research design, data management, human and animal subjects, mentorship, and publication ethics.
Responsible Conduct of Research
The Division of Research at Texas A&M provides comprehensive Responsible Conduct of Research training for researchers at all stages of their careers. This training, offered through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI), covers critical topics including research misconduct, data management, conflict of interest, collaborative science, responsible authorship, mentoring, peer review, and the ethical conduct of animal and human subjects research. This training ensures that researchers adhere to best practices and regulatory standards, promoting integrity in research and enhancing the overall research environment at Texas A&M.
National Center for Principled Leadership & Research Ethics
The National Center for Principled Leadership & Research Ethics, hosted by the University of Illinois and sponsored by the NSF, provides a wealth of resources to support ethics education and Responsible Conduct of Research. The Center offers educational curricula, online courses, scholarly literature, and reference materials designed to meet RCR training requirements for the NSF and other research funders. The site also features an interactive community where researchers and professionals can share scholarship, engage in discussions on ethics-related issues, and collaborate on developing new course offerings to advance ethical research practices.
Office of Research Integrity
The Office of Research Integrity (ORI), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), offers a comprehensive collection of resources to support the Responsible Conduct of Research. These resources include educational materials, training programs, and guidelines on ethical issues in research such as data management, research misconduct, human and animal subjects research, and peer review. ORI also provides tools to help institutions and researchers ensure compliance with ethical standards and federal regulations, as well as strategies to to prevent and address research misconduct.
Online Ethics Center
The Online Ethics Center (OEC), originally focused on engineering, now includes a broader range of ethics issues in science. Developed in collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the Illinois Institute of Technology, the site provides resources to help engineers, scientists, and students address ethical challenges in their work. It features case studies, educational materials, bibliographies, and tools for teaching and promoting ethical practices in research and practice across science and engineering.
Tools and Resources
The American Psychological Association (APA) offers a comprehensive list of six key areas encompassed by Responsible Conduct of Research, as defined by federal agencies. These areas include animal research, data collection and analysis, human subjects research, lab management, mentoring, and research ethics. The APA provides links to valuable resources and training materials to help researchers gain the knowledge and skills needed to navigate these essential aspects of ethical research practice.
Teaching Resources
Academy for Future Faculty
AFFThe Academy for Future Faculty (AFF), part of the CIRTL@TAMU program, provides professional development for postdocs and graduate students preparing for faculty careers. Through weekly seminars, mentorship from Texas A&M faculty, and teaching portfolio development, AFF helps participants become “teaching ready” for higher education roles. Those who complete program requirements earn the AFF Fellow Certificate, recognized annually at the Center for Teaching Excellence banquet. AFF events are free and open to the Texas A&M community but are not active during summer semesters.
Writing a Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Sample Resumes and CVs
This resource provides a collection of sample resumes and CVs tailored to various career paths, along with expert tips and suggestions for creating your own. Whether you’re preparing for academic, industry, or alternative careers, these examples and guidelines can help you craft a professional and polished document that highlights your skills, experiences, and achievements effectively.
How to Write a Cover Letter
This resource links to a Science article offering 10 practical recommendations and strategies for writing effective cover letters. The article provides clear guidance on how to tailor your letter to specific roles, highlight relevant skills and experiences, and convey enthusiasm for the position. These tips are designed to help you craft a compelling cover letter that complements your CV or resume and strengthens your job application.
Job Search & Grant Opportunities
PostdocJobs.com
PostdocJobs.com is a leading platform for connecting people with postdoctoral opportunities at universities, research institutions, companies, and government agencies worldwide. With thousands of positions listed, it helps people explore new postdoctoral roles, identify research opportunities, and connect with employers seeking top scientific talent. This resource is ideal for those looking to advance their careers through targets postdoc job searches.
UniversityJobs.com
UniversityJobs.com is a dedicated platform for academic job seekers, offering listings for positions at universities and colleges worldwide. It includes opportunities for faculty, research, administrative, and postdoctoral roles. Postdocs can use this resource to explore a variety of academic career paths, connect with potential employers, and find positions that align with their professional goals.
NewScientist Jobs
NewScientist Jobs is a comprehensive job site offering a wide range of opportunities in life sciences, biology, physics, astronomy, and chemistry. It provides tools for job seekers, including email alerts, application management, and secure CV storage, as well as career advice to support professional growth. Postdocs can use this resource to explore global career opportunities in research, industry, and academia, and take the next step toward achieving their career goals.
Science Careers
Science Careers, the career resource hub from the journal Science, offers a global job board featuring employment opportunities primarily at universities, as well as in research institutions and industry. In addition to job listings, the site provides a wealth of articles on career development, professional growth, networking, grant writing, and more.
Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education features a robust job board focused on academic careers, including faculty, research, and administrative positions. In addition to job listings, it offers valuable career development resources, such as professional development workshops, articles on career skills, and demographic data about academic job trends.
Higher Education Recruitment Consortium
HERCThe Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to diversifying the academic workforce. HERC Jobs offers a comprehensive job board featuring opportunities in higher education, research labs, hospitals, and government agencies. The site provides job seekers with daily job alerts, career resources, relocation support, and tools for dual-career couples.
Association for Women in Science
AWISThe Association for Women in Science (AWIS) offers a career center with job listings across various STEM industries and locations, specifically targeting employers who value the talent of women in STEM fields. AWIS provides tools to filter job searches, set up alerts, and offers guidance for those staring out or seeking career transitions. The site also features insights on various STEM careers, skill requirements, potential wages, and more. Additionally, AWIS offers professional advice on resumes, cover letters, networking, and personal branding, including free resume feedback from professional writers to help optimize your application for success.