Postdoctoral scholars are the unsung heroes of academic research. These highly trained experts drive innovation in labs worldwide, while also playing a vital role in mentoring students. Yet they frequently navigate their roles with limited support and unclear career paths. Nationally, postdocs report feeling isolated and underappreciated, with many expressing dissatisfaction with their career prospects. This is a critical issue to address because postdocs are the future of our profession, and their success and well-being is critical to the scientific research engine.
At the University of Virginia’s Biomedical Engineering department, we’ve taken a proactive approach to transform the postdoctoral experience. Recognizing the challenges postdocs face, we’ve implemented five initiatives that foster a thriving, supportive community — all of which are aligned with both professional growth and personal well-being.
A Postdoc Success Committee with a Purpose
The cornerstone of our approach has been the establishment of a Postdoc Success Committee, a group dedicated to ensuring that postdocs have the resources they need to succeed. This committee is led by the postdocs themselves, guided by a faculty mentor and supported by an administrative staff member. The committee organizes monthly meetings focused on professional development that cover a wide range of topics.
One of the most popular events has been our grant brewing sessions, where postdocs gather to develop and refine their research grant proposals. These collaboration sessions not only enhance their grant-writing skills but also build a sense of camaraderie and mutual support.
Celebrating National Postdoc Week
Recognition is a powerful motivator, and we’ve found that celebrating National Postdoc Week has been an effective way to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of our postdocs. For the past two years, we have organized daily events throughout the week, culminating in a postdoc symposium specifically for biomedical engineers. This symposium provides a platform for postdocs to showcase their research, compete for research awards, receive feedback from peers and faculty and expand their professional networks.
Empowering Independent Translational Research
Perhaps the most unique aspect of the postdoc program is that our department gives a total of $100,000 in grant funding to postdocs who wish to pursue independent research. This initiative, supported by our Walter H. Coulter Center for Translational Research, allows postdocs to pursue their own independent research directions. The funding enables them to purchase reagents, access core facilities and explore their own research ideas without the constraints often imposed by more senior investigators. An important facet of this grant program is that, along with their own research funding, every post doc is paired with a clinical researcher as a mentor who provides guidance on how to translate their science and technologies from bench-to-bedside.
This opportunity is rare and transformative. By empowering postdocs to lead their own projects, we are preparing them to become the next generation of independent researchers and innovators who will develop novel treatments and cures — and give hope to patients and doctors. The success of this program is evident in the exciting results produced by the first cohort of funded postdocs, many of whom are already making strides toward securing patents and launching startup companies to commercialize their research.
Promoting Well-being and Work-Life Balance
In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of mental and physical well-being in academia. Studies have shown that postdocs are at a higher risk for stress and burnout, which can negatively impact their productivity and overall health. Our experience is that small steps to support our postdocs’ mental and physical health can make a big difference. For example, we’ve introduced a subsidized gym membership program, where postdocs pay only a fraction of the cost.
Additionally, we’ve opened a new lactation room in our building, ensuring that new parents have the space and support they need to balance their professional and personal responsibilities. These are more than job perks — they are a crucial part of our strategy for creating an environment where postdocs feel valued and cared for.
A Comprehensive Onboarding Process
Finally, we’ve recognized the need for a structured onboarding process that welcomes new postdocs into our community. Unlike graduate students who typically begin their programs in a cohort, postdocs arrive throughout the year, often without the benefit of a formal orientation. To address this, we’ve developed an onboarding manual that provides new postdocs with all the information they need to get started.
This manual, paired with our ongoing support efforts, ensures that every postdoc feels a sense of belonging from the moment they arrive.
Looking Ahead
At UVA BME, we are committed to continually improving our postdoc program. By providing structured support, fostering independence and promoting well-being, we are not only enhancing the postdoc experience but also ensuring that our postdocs are equipped to become leaders in the field of biomedical engineering.
It's time to shine a spotlight on postdocs, and at UVA BME we're proud to support, promote and empower this vital part of our workforce.