Essential Training

This 15 hour professional development event is designed for postdoctoral scholars at the beginning of their training to help them make the most of their postdoc experience and establish a foundation for future career success.

Session 1: Navigating Communication   

• Communicate research and professional purpose with a clear and concise message
• Utilize strategies to communicate effectively and navigate conflict in the workplace

Session 2: Understanding Workstyle Preferences

• Assess personality type and work styles preferences and distinguish those of others
• Leverage understanding of personality and style preference to facilitate individual and team performance

Session 3: Using Your Strengths

• Understand personal strengths and how to use them effectively

• Develop successful collaborations by considering own and others unique talents

Session 4: Evaluating Your Abilities

• Effectively assess current abilities and skills
• Clarify personal and professional values and examine career preferences
• Set, assess and meet structured short term and long term goals

Session 5: Developing Your Plan

• Recognize implicit bias and have tools to combat that bias
• Identify and address training and professional development needs
• Create and implement an Individual Development Plan

Session 6: Establishing Effective Mentoring

• Utilize networking for career planning and preparation
• Determine a course of action for a successful postdoctoral experience
• Evaluate action plan with peers and mentors

For more information, dates, and how to register: EPIC Bootcamp

Postdoctoral scholars are strongly encouraged to complete the certification as part of their research training and education.

For more information, events, dates, and how to register: Ethical Challenges of Research

The Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs offers a New Postdoc Orientation on the second Thursday of every month.

It is strongly recommended that all postdocs attend the workshop within the first two months of their initial postdoc appointment at UC San Diego so they become familiar with the guidelines and policy that impact their appointment.

The orientation will cover topics such as benefits, leave policy, research compliance training, professional development planning and opportunities, and resources available to postdocs.  You’ll meet some members of the Postdoc Association (PDA).  And lastly, the UAW, the union that represents postdocs will share information about union membership.

State law prohibit posting of the exact schedule on this public website, so if you are a new postdoc, please refer to your offer letter, contact your department administrator or sign into the UC Learning Center (LMS) for information on date, location and time.

For information, please visit New Postdoc Orientation.

Postdoc Individual Development Plan

Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a tool to identify skills, knowledge, and interests; outline career goals; and manage an individual’s career development progress.

For assistance on creating your IDP, assessing your skills, working with mentors and setting realistic and achievable goals, attend the EPIC Bootcamp.  Each postdoctoral scholar will have the opportunity to develop and present his/her IDP to faculty participants for feedback and by the end of the session have the foundation of an IDP to guide his/her career objectives.

For one-one assistance in the creation of your IDP, you may request a career advising appointment.

For more information, please visit Individual Development Plan.