Postdoctoral training

The postdoc community in Cambridge numbers over 4,000 and is responsible for much of the research that underpins the University’s world-leading reputation. As part of this community, the 100 or so PDN postdocs have access to excellent support and training from many University initiatives:

• The Graduate School of Biology offers a wide range of training courses all through the year, and most of these are open to postdocs (see Training opportunities for postdocs). Courses support both research and transferable skills.

• The Careers Service has excellent provision for guiding postdoctoral careers, with specialist career advisers for different disciplines. The careers service for Life Sciences postdocs provides a wide variety of career-oriented activities, from 1-to-1 interview training to conferences on a range of professional careers. Do register to receive a monthly update by email.

• The postdocs have also their own Society, the Postdocs Of Cambridge (PdOC), which offers practical information and opportunities to socialise with other postdocs. The aim of the Society is to represent all postdocs and to facilitate communication and networking within the postdoc community and with the University.

• Finally, the latest addition is the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPdA). Officially launched in May 2014, the OPdA is the leading organisation within the University dealing with issues relating to the postdoctoral community, for the whole "lifecycle of the postdoc", from before arrival through their time in Cambridge and beyond. Do subscribe to OPdA Mailouts to get regular updates.