Welcome to the UC Santa Cruz Postdocs Association webpage!

The USPA is a postdoctoral-led organization that aims to provide career training and resources to postdoctoral scholars here at UC Santa Cruz. Each year the USPA organizes a symposium, and a series of workshops to highlight postdoctoral research, provides postdocs with career planning support, and build a stronger postdoc community.  Our goal is to create a welcoming environment for new postdocs and a supportive group of peers to navigate this pivotal career stage together.

The USPA is part of the larger network of Bay Area Postdocs.

Activities of USPA include:

  • postdoc science and social hour
  • career development workshops
  • annual symposium

Check out our upcoming events and:

Latest from USPA

Upcoming Event – Pathways to Professorship!

Are you interested in learning about how to achieve a successful career in academia? Then you may want to consider attending the UCSC Postdoc Association’s upcoming event, “Pathways to Professorship: Navigating the Journey from Postdoc to Faculty”!

This event offers a unique opportunity for postdocs and staff scientists to gain insights into the transition from postdoc to faculty roles. The event includes engaging presentations by esteemed UCSC faculty, a panel discussion where attendees can ask faculty members about their career paths, and an informal networking session to connect with peers and faculty.

Event Details:

Date: Friday March 1, 2024

Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Location: Biomedical Sciences Building, Room 200

To ensure your participation, please RSVP using the following link: https://forms.gle/XywZnK52peZTfaaN7

We look forward to seeing you at the event and exploring the pathways to professorship together!

Postdoc Thanksgiving Potluck!

Hello Postdoc community!

We are putting together a Postdoc Thanksgiving Potluck for next Wednesday afternoon, Nov 22, 2023 from 3-6PM at the Graduate Student Commons.
USPA will be donating beverages to the celebration and all we need is the food!  Please sign up if you would like to attend and share in the festivities.
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Camila Morales Fenero and Brian Mullen

Thanksgiving potluck organizers

Apply for the Biological Sciences Postdoc Travel Award!

The Postdoctoral Conference Travel Award is now open. The award provides conference travel funds for postdocs in biological or biomedical sciences in any division at UC Santa Cruz. This year, we will be able to make one or more awards totaling $1,400. 

Award criteria:

  • Past and continuing evidence of research accomplishments
  • Ability for the award to substantially improve your career prospects
  • Financial need

This opportunity is made possible by a fund generously endowed by Irina and Boris Auerbuch.

 

To apply, please submit the following materials through our online form:

A letter that describes:

(1) The conference you wish to attend.

(2) Any opportunity you would have to present at the conference and a brief statement of the work you would present (e.g. abstract) OR opportunities you will be allowed to pursue (e.g., job applications, grant proposals, manuscript writing, etc.)

(3) A budget for the use of the funds.

The letter should explain any other sources of funding that have, will, or may be used to support your travel to this conference. The letter and budget should not exceed two pages of single-spaced, 12-point text with one-inch margins. A CV that includes the following sections: academic history; awards, grants, and honors; public talks; publications; teaching experiences; and public service activities. The PDF should be named as follows: [your last name]-postdoc-travel-application-2023

Incomplete applications will not be eligible for consideration. You must be doing work in biological or biomedical sciences (in any division) at UC Santa Cruz to be eligible. Please submit your application by November 21sth 2023. Applications will be evaluated by the UC Santa Cruz Postdocs Association after the application deadline. Please note that you will be required to sign in to google with UCSC ID to access the online form.

If you are interested in applying outside the call or have any other questions, please inquire with us at uspa@ucsc.edu