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Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Welcome from the Dean and Vice Provost

Sarah Ades Headshot

Welcome to The University of Texas at Austin—one of the top universities in the world and a leader in postdoctoral research, scholarship and education. The more than 700 postdoctoral scholars, fellows and researchers across campus are vital contributors to the mission of the University. As a postdoc at UT Austin, you drive innovation by bringing new techniques, ideas and solutions through your research and by partnering with local communities, government and industry. You also advance the University’s teaching mission by working closely with undergraduate and graduate students and serving as team leaders and mentors.

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is here to support you during your time on campus. We provide key resources and information on policies and benefits to help you succeed, including career and professional development programming to enhance your research and career goals. We also advocate for the needs of postdocs in campus discussions and work with other offices to ensure you have access to the resources you need.

Additionally, our office seeks to build community among postdocs and with the larger University. We disseminate university-wide communications with postdocs—including information on policies, resources and events—and support the UT Postdoc Association to help build collaboration and community. 

We look forward to supporting you during your time at UT Austin and beyond and helping to make the University a top destination for postdoctoral researchers, scholars and fellows.

Sincerely,

Sarah Ades, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School
Senior Vice Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
The University of Texas at Austin

What is a postdoctoral scholar? Who do we serve? 

Scholar working in lab

A postdoctoral scholar is an individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue their selected career path (NIH/NSF 2007). Although other terms have been used to refer to postdocs (i.e. trainee), this is the preferred definition emerging nationally. 

We believe that postdocs are essential members of our university as they contribute to the dynamic and rapid influx of highly skilled talent, trust our positioning as a top university to launch their careers and represent future thought leaders that can empower our society with important societal roles.

Postdocs are supervised by a faculty member (PI) and have the freedom to conduct and publish the results of their research, scholarship or creative endeavors during the period of appointment. Scholars may be internally funded, paid through their PIs grant, or they may be externally funded, paid by a source external to the university (e.g., NSF, NIH, government grants, etc). Regardless of the source of funding, all postdocs at UT Austin will be served by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

Events for Postdocs

Event Status
Scheduled
Wednesday September 17, 2025, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
Career Panel for Social Science Postdocs
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Scheduled
Thursday September 18, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Virtual
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Scheduled
Tuesday September 23, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Virtual
Event Status
Scheduled
Tuesday October 7, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
WCP 2.210
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Scheduled
Tuesday October 14, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
WCP 2.210
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Scheduled
Tuesday October 21, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
WCP 2.210
Event Status
Scheduled
Thursday October 23, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Virtual
Event Status
Scheduled
Tuesday October 28, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Virtual
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Recent News

A man flexes his bicep, on which he wears a sensor made up of a small blue battery, a plastic cap, and an orange wire taped below the muscle.

Postdoc Research: New Sensor Knows When You Need a Drink

July 14, 2025
Though dehydration can range from inconvenient to life-threatening, it’s tough to track. Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin are working to change that with the invention of a new non-invasive, wearable sensor designed to measure a user’s hydration levels continuously, in real time.
committee scholars

Postdoctoral Affairs Newsletter for April

April 29, 2025
New Community Building Committee from the Department of Molecular Biosciences, Postdoctoral Scholar Mentoring Award Winner, Early Career Scholars Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Fall 2025 and more.
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Graduate School Announces 2025 Award Winners

April 22, 2025
The Graduate School has announced the 2025 winners of its professional and student awards. The awards recognize excellence in graduate academics, teaching, mentoring and professional services.
Meet the finalists graphic with photos of finalists

Meet the 13 Empower Your Pitch Finalists for 2025

April 2, 2025
13 Finalists from The University of Texas at Austin will compete for prizes during the Empower Your Pitch Grand Finale and Celebration, including two postdoctoral scholars.
A collage of 3 different photos. On the left-hand side, one photo is of a brown moth reflected in the water. Below that is an image of caterpillars with black heads and brown bodies on a leaf. On the right-hand side, a cactus is covered in white sludge.

Postdoc Research: Prickly Pear Cactus Moth Invasion Expands in Texas

March 27, 2025
Prickly pear cactus are foundational species in Texas ecosystems and food webs. However, the invasive moth caterpillars (Cactoblastis cactorum) can decimate native Texas prickly pear, including the widespread species Opuntia engelmannii.
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Postdoctoral Affairs Newsletter for March

March 25, 2025
RSVP for the Final Round of the Empower Your Pitch Competition, Resume Lab for Graduate Students and Postdocs, National Postdoctoral Association and more.
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