Postdoctoral Resources

Postdocs may already have their PhDs, but there’s always more for them to learn. This includes learning about the resources BU has in place to support and advance our women STEM postdocs. These resources are complemented by the programs on the ‘Postdoctoral Programs’ page.

General Resources

Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs (PDPA)

The Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs office works to provide a supportive environment for postdoctoral training. They do this by offering professional development opportunities to postdocs and their faculty mentors, capturing and reporting postdoc data, and informing BU policy development.

Elsevier Advancing Postdoc Women Guidebook

The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) has published a guidebook to assist postdoc women in navigating through their careers by utilizing professional societies and associations. The Advancing Postdoc Women Guidebook provides essential information on programs and resources available to postdoc women as they progress in their careers.

Professional Development Resources

BU BEST (Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training)

The BEST office works to enhance biomedical career development curriculum in a way that explores careers both in and outside of standard academic research. BEST identifies the needs of the current and future biomedical workforce and helps trainees match with an engaging and satisfying career. BEST is open to all biomedical graduate and postdoctoral students across both the CRC and MED campuses.

Funding Resources

COS Pivot Funding Opportunities Database

Boston University is proud to offer the COS Pivot service to any faculty or staff with an @bu.edu email address. This database is updated on a daily basis and offers a wide variety of federal, non-federal, foundation, and private funding opportunities for any discipline. With the BU subscription, members can save search criteria and receive weekly updates on new and upcoming funding opportunities.

American Association of University Women | Fellowships and Grants

Each year, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) provides several funding opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral women to conduct research and pursue degrees.

HHMI Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program

The goal of the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program is to recruit and retain individuals from gender, racial, ethnic, and other groups underrepresented in the life sciences at the career stages targeted by this program, including those individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program is open to basic science researchers and physician-scientists in the biomedical and life science disciplines.

L’Oréal USA For Women in Science Fellowship Program

The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program awards five women postdoctoral scientists annually with grants of $60,000 each for their contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and commitment to serving as role models for younger generations.

Family Support Resources

Office of Family Resources

The Office of Family Resources is committed to helping families manage the challenges of work life and family life. The office provides many resources and services to support families of the Boston University community.

Childcare and Preschool Education Programs

Boston University offers three early childhood education program options: The Boston University Children’s Center is a full-time program for children ages two to five years old. The Early Childhood Learning Lab, a preschool for children two years and nine months to five years old, is a part of the Early Childhood Education program at BU. Little Sprouts at BUMC is a full-time program for children ages 4 weeks through 5 years old.

Breastfeeding & Lactation Support

Boston University is committed to meeting the needs of mothers returning to work and ensuring that managers have the information they need to support them. This includes ensuring the availability of lactation rooms, located on both the CRC and MED campuses.

Archived Resources

BUMC Postdoc Blog

The BUMC Postdocs Blog is the one stop place for postdocs to get their questions answered. “It is confusing to become a postdoc, all of a sudden you are alone and nobody cares about you; no committee to meet, no supervisor to please, no student office demanding money and to know when you graduate. But now here we are: new challenges and new chances. That’s what we want to write about on this blog.” This blog is not limited to BUMC; if you are on the Charles River Campus feel free to participate.