National Postdoc Appreciation Week
September 21 - 25, 2026
Each September, Carnegie Mellon recognizes National Postdoc Appreciation Week, which is a dedicated time to celebrate the contributions and impact of our postdoctoral community. National Postdoc Appreciation Week was launched in 2009 by the National Postdoctoral Association and is a way for organizations worldwide to recognize the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to U.S. research and discovery.
The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs has planned a variety of events for the 2026 National Postdoc Appreciation Week. More events will be added soon—please check back as the schedule is still in progress.
Schedule of Events
Monday, September 21, 2026, from 8:30 - 10 a.m.
Breathe, Stretch, Belong: A Yoga and Wellness Meet-Up ()
Hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association
Start the week on a calm note with a free morning yoga class hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association. We hope to create a peaceful and meaningful space where postdocs can pause, reconnect, and focus on well-being beyond their busy research lives. No experience needed; just show up and breathe.
Monday, September 21, 2026, from 9 - 11 a.m.
Professional Headshots in the Danforth Lounge (Cohon University Center)
Hosted by the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs
Professional headshots will be offered in the Danforth Lounge for all interested 91视频 postdocs. Those interested in having their headshot taken should .
Monday, September 21, 2026, from 1:00 - 1:30 p.m.
2026 National Postdoc Appreciation Week Kickoff Panel: "150 Years of U.S. Postdocs: Issues of Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" (On Zoom)
Presented by the National Postdoctoral Association
Kick off 2026 National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) as board members of the NPA dive into issues facing the postdoctoral community today, while keeping one eye toward the past and another toward the future. Leaders at institutions that house postdocs and postdoctoral scholars themselves will honor and celebrate the hard work being conducted today by researchers, explore the adversity faced by many, and imagine positive changes the future can bring through intentional collective efforts.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Open by Default: Making Your Research Work Harder for You in
Presented by the University Libraries
Open research is often framed as an obligation. But sharing your work openly can increase its visibility and impact. Preprints often get read and cited earlier than publisher versions; well-documented datasets are more likely to be reused, and reusable code is a research output that you can list on your CV.
In this workshop, we’ll explore ways in which opening your scholarship can benefit you as a researcher. We’ll cover where and when to share preprints and other research outputs, choosing appropriate repositories and licenses, and how good documentation can make your work easier to find and reuse. We’ll also talk about connecting these outputs to your scholarly profile so they are easier for others to find and recognize as part of your scholarly identity.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Home Away from Home: Housing, Transition, & Community Support for Postdocs (On Zoom)
Hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association, featuring SabbaticalHomes
Registration not required.
Moving to a new city for a postdoc is exciting—and overwhelming. Join postdoc colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh for a webinar with SabbaticalHomes exploring housing options, navigating transitions, and finding community support as you settle into life in Pittsburgh. Whether you're newly arrived or still figuring it out, this one's for you.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Professional Headshots in the Danforth Lounge (Cohon University Center)
Hosted by the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs
Professional headshots will be offered in the Danforth Lounge for all interested 91视频 postdocs. Those interested in having their headshot taken should .
Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 10 - 11 a.m.
Workshop: Writing a Teaching Statement (On Zoom)
Presented by The Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation
Jacqui Pincus, PhD, Associate Director for Graduate Student & Postdoc Teaching Initiatives, will give an overview of The Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and Educational Innovation and then lead a workshop on how to write a teaching statement. Registration is required. A calendar invitation will be distributed once registration is complete.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 3 - 4 p.m.
150 Years of Postdocs in the United States: A 91视频 x Pitt Postdoc Celebration (In Person)
Hosted by the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs
Join 91视频’s Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs and the University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association for a multi-institution celebration of the 2026 National Postdoc Appreciation Week! Meet other postdocs, grow your network, and build community as we recognize 150 years of postdocs in the United States.
This is a drop-in event. Stop by for coffee/tea and snacks!
Friday, September 25, 2026, from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
The Five Paths to Leadership® Self-Assessment Debrief (In Person)
Presented by the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty
Postdocs lead every day—advancing research, mentoring students, collaborating across disciplines, and influencing projects—often without formal authority. In celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, participants will explore and unpack their results from the Five Paths to Leadership® self-assessment. This practical model offers insight into how participants approach everyday situations and how their leadership styles may shift under stress. By learning to draw from five distinct leadership paths, postdocs can strengthen communication, collaboration, adaptability, and confidence—valuable skills for succeeding in their current roles and preparing for future careers in academia, industry, and beyond.
Please note that participants should expect ~10-15 minutes of pre-work to complete the self-assessment before the workshop.
Virtual Events Hosted by Other Organizations
Visit the National Postdoctoral Association for the complete schedule of virtual events open to all postdocs.