Pursuing a postdoc at Duke is an excellent opportunity to advance your research skills, explore new methodologies, and, just as importantly, plan the next step in your career.
The Duke Office of Postdoctoral Services hosts professional development seminars, panels, and programs throughout the year. Whether you are aiming for a traditional academic faculty role, an alt-ac path, or a career beyond academia, our office provides training and connects you to valuable campus resources. No matter your discipline – STEM, humanities, or social sciences - you can receive personalized career advising from Molly Starback, Director of Duke Postdoctoral Services, who has been counseling PhD job seekers for over 20 years. Duke postdocs go on to successful careers in academia, industry, government, and administration, as shown by our postdoctoral career outcomes.
The Office of Postdoctoral Services is here to help you get the most out of your postdoctoral training!
Job Opportunities in Academia
Academic Job Search Series
The Academic Job Search Series includes panel discussions, workshops, and resources to help postdocs from all disciplines prepare for the academic job market. In addition to traditional tenure-track faculty positions, the Academic Job Search Series covers grant-writing and funding opportunities, teaching-focused positions, alt-ac positions, and academic administration positions.
Job Opportunities beyond Academia
Careers Beyond Academia Series
This series of panel discussions, workshops, and events helps postdocs from all disciplines prepare for careers in industry, government, nonprofit, and entrepreneurship. This series helps postdocs understand the careers available outside of academia, the skills required for these careers, and a 'typical day' in these jobs.
Skill Development Opportunities
This 8-week program helps graduate students and postdocs develop competencies in communication, self-awareness, professional adaptability, interdisciplinary teamwork, and leadership, leading to a certificate of completion.
Learn more about Emerging Leaders Institute
Communication is key to being a successful researcher and a good mentor/mentee. In this series, we discuss the characteristics of good mentoring relationships; the principles of giving and getting feedback; and how to 'mentor up'. We learn the principles of research communication; how to improve presentations and spoken English; and how to best communicate your skills on the job market.
Learn more about Mentoring and Communication Series
Resources for the academic and non-academic job search, including skills identification and self-assessment; career exploration and job searching; CVs, resumes, and cover letters; teaching, research and diversity statements; interviewing, and mentoring. The Office of Postdoctoral Services provides individual career counseling (including resume, CV, cover letter, research, teaching and diversity statement critiques, and mock interviews) for Postdoctoral Associates and Postdoctoral Scholars from all disciplines - email Molly Starback, Director, for an appointment.
For more information see Professional Development Resources
The Office of Postdoctoral Services sponsors the Postdoctoral Awards for Professional Development, designed to support postdocs' professional development needs by providing reimbursement for activities that directly enhance the individual's professional growth.
For more information see Postdoctoral Professional Development Awards