The Postdoc Handbook is designed to support the academic, professional and personal development of postdoctoral scholars across the University. As a postdoc at UT Austin, you are part of a vibrant community of researchers and scholars who are driving innovation and discovery in their fields.
This handbook provides essential information, resources and guidance to help you navigate your postdoctoral experience, from research policies and funding opportunities to career development and work-life balance. Whether you're just starting your postdoc or nearing the end of your appointment, this handbook is here to help you make the most of your time at UT Austin and achieve your goals.
Appointment Procedures
Research Titles
Policy for assigning appropriate research titles (including Postdoctoral titles) to individuals whose primary activities are to conduct research at, or on behalf of, the University can be found on the Policies page of the Office of the VP for Research, under University/Research Titles. Offer letter templates can be found here as well.
Handbook of Operating Procedures
The Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP) contains official guides to policies and procedures at the university.
New Employee Checklist
New Employee Checklist is an easy step by step checklist to assist you with completing all the required on-boarding items within your first month on the job.
Employment & Benefits
Learn more about employment and the benefits available to postdoctoral staff and affiliates. This includes information on insurance, IDs, building access, parking, transportation and more.
Publishing
Directory of Open Access Journals
This is an online directory that indexes and provides access to quality open access, peer-reviewed journals.
Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA)
Representing a diverse community of organizations engaged in open scholarship, OASPA works to encourage and enable open access as the predominant model of communication for scholarly outputs.
Texas ScholarWorks
Texas ScholarWorks provides open, online access to the products of the University's research and scholarship, to preserve these works for future generations, to promote new models of scholarly communication and to help deepen community understanding of the value of higher education. Postdocs can submit publications under UT Faculty/Researcher Works.
Texas Data Repository (TDR)
TDR was established by UT Libraries as a platform for publishing and archiving UT’s research data. Depositing data in TDR helps researchers increase their impact while meeting data sharing and archiving requirements from funding agencies and publishers.
Professional Development
Texas Career Engagement
Developing foundational skills is an important part of preparing for a career and enhances the visibility, viability, and value of your graduate education. Review the foundational skill development framework to support your academic and career success.
Center for Teaching and Learning
The Center for Teaching and Learning partners with UT faculty, graduate-student instructors and the University's programs and leadership to create an environment focused on teaching for student learning and success.
The Versatile PhD
The Versatile PhD mission is to help graduate students, ABDs and PhDs identify, prepare for and excel in professional careers.
myIDP
myIDP is a unique, web-based career-planning tool tailored to meet the needs of PhD students and postdocs in the sciences.
National Postdoctoral Association
The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) is a member-driven organization that provides a unique, national voice for postdoctoral scholars. UT Austin is a sustaining member.
For assistance logging into your free account, email vp-research-sr@austin.utexas.edu.
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)
On-demand access to mentoring and professional development resources.
Conducting Research
OSP Concierge Services
The concierge service was established by the Office of Sponsored Project to extend hands-on pre-award services for successful proposal creation to the UT research community.
Free Statistical Consulting
All UT Austin graduate students, faculty and staff are eligible to sign up for a free 30-minute appointment to speak with a faculty member in the Department of Statistics and Data Sciences (SDS) for a brief consultation.
Insider’s Guide to Peer Review for Applicants
To help new and established applicants submit better applications, the Center for Scientific Review asked current and recent study section chairs to share their insights on producing a highly competitive NIH grant application.
Tips for NIH Grant Applicants
Use the application instructions found on this page along with the guidance in the funding opportunity to submit grant applications to NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Proposal Writing Resources
UC Berkeley Sponsored Projects has compiled a list of proposal writing resources.
A Guide for NSF Proposal Writing
Review this guide for proposal writing from the National Science Foundation.
Preparing Your NSF Proposal
This page highlights key guidance you'll need to follow as you prepare your proposal to the U.S. National Science Foundation.
OSP Research Administration Training
Training for Research Administrators is offered by the Office of Sponsored Projects through a variety of methods to accommodate for time, research administration experience and subject matter.
OSP UTRMS Grants & Awards Training
Training for the Grants and Awards modules of UTRMS is offered by the Office of Sponsored Projects. Classes provide a demonstration of how to navigate and use UTRMS for proposal submission and award management of sponsored projects.
IRB Training and Disclosure Requirements
Training requirements for conducting human subjects research.
Mandatory Training for Working with Animals
Review the training requirements for working with animals.
IBC Required Safety Training
All required training must be completed and current by the PI and research personnel for approval of IBC protocols.
Personal Finances
Review our resources to help you understand your taxes, retirement benefits and other issues related to personal finance all in one place.
Peer Interaction
Links to organized postdoctoral groups and programs at The University of Texas at Austin.
National Postdoctoral Association
The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) is a member-driven organization that provides a unique, national voice for postdoctoral scholars. UT Austin is a sustaining member.
Postdoctoral Association Toolkit
Postdoctoral associations are a vibrant and dynamic source of support for postdoctoral fellows at their home institutions and nationally. This toolkit is intended to serve as a resource guide to assist postdocs and their allies in starting and sustaining an effective PDA. Member login required.
CNS Postdoctoral Association
The UT College of Natural Sciences offers information about employment, funding opportunities, professional development and more for postdocs.
UT Lists
Postdoctoral fellows can join UT Lists to share information between each other and find announcements from the Graduate School. Join the postdocs mailing list – a forum for postdocs to share their ideas, experiences, and questions with each other.
To subscribe, follow the instructions at the link above. Subscribe to: postdocs@utlists.utexas.edu.
Peer Support Group for Postdocs on the Academic Track
The Future PI Slack group is an informal peer mentoring group for biomedical postdocs who are interested in staying in academia. They also have channels for those exploring non-academic options.