Essential Training

This training will provide the foundation for postdoctoral scholars as they begin their training at UC San Diego and addresses the common needs across disciplines and chosen career directions.
This essential training should be completed by the end of the first year of postdoctoral training.
EPIC Bootcamp: Your Summit to Success
This day and a half professional development event is designed for postdoctoral scholars at the beginning of their training to understand their role as a postdoc and to help them succeed during their training at UC San Diego and beyond. This event will be offered twice per calendar year in late January and July.
Day 1: Who are you?
At the end of Day 1, postdoctoral scholars will be able to:
- Identify roles and responsibilities of being a UC San Diego postdoc
- Access UC San Diego resources available
- Communicate research with a clear and concise message
- Assess personality type and distinguish those of others
- Recognize and interrupt implicit bias
- Explore career options through networking opportunities, such as informational interviews
Day 2: What are you doing here?
At the end of Day 2, postdoctoral scholars will be able to:
- Clarify transferable skills
- Create and assess structured short term and long goals
- Determine a course of action for a successful postdoctoral experience
- Evaluate course of action with peers and faculty members
For more information, dates, and how to register: EPIC Bootcamp
Ethical Challenges of Research Program

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
New Postdoc Orientation
The Office of Postdoctoral and Research 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
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.
Subscribe to the Postdoc listserv to be sent more information and how to register for these and all upcoming events. UCSD email address required for subscription.
Questions? Suggestions? Contact Heather Dillon at: hadillon@ucsd.edu or (858) 822-5915.