:format(webp))
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs opens in a new tab (OPA), which reports to the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE), serves as the central hub for all postdoctoral scholars at Stanford University. OPA supports postdocs in all aspects of their training, fostering both personal growth and professional development.
By collaborating with university organizations, faculty, administrators, and external entities, the office cultivates a supportive, world-class training environment that prepares postdocs for successful, independent careers in research, academia, and industry.
As the primary administrative and advocacy resource for Stanford’s postdoctoral community, OPA manages the critical infrastructure that supports postdoctoral life. The office’s essential duties include:
Appointment Review and Compliance: Reviewing and approving all postdoctoral scholar appointments across the university.
Benefits and Funding: Managing postdoctoral benefit programs and overseeing the administration of endowed postdoctoral fellowships.
Policy Implementation: Developing, implementing, and interpreting university-wide policies and procedures governing postdoctoral training.
Conflict Resolution: Providing confidential consultation and conflict resolution services for postdocs and their mentors.
Mentor Training: Delivering specialized workshops and training for faculty and staff who appoint, manage, and mentor postdoctoral scholars.
Beyond administrative oversight, OPA offers a robust portfolio of professional development and skill-building programs. Collaborating with campus partners, the office provides resources to help scholars refine their research capabilities, build leadership skills, and prepare for the global job market. These programs emphasize career planning, grant writing, oral communication, and lab management, while fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive postdoctoral community across all disciplines.
