Postdoc Appreciation Week

Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW), held in September each year, is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate our fantastic postdocs, and the great work they do. 

Originating in the USA, PAW is now embedded in UK and Irish universities, with a consortium of Universities organising national activities, alongside their own institutional activities.

At Edinburgh, our Postdoc Societies plan events and awards during this week, below is a summary of what took place during PAW 2024

The Big Fat Postdoc Quiz

19th September, 5.30pm, Mayfield Bar, The King's Buildings

As part of PAW 2024, a number of postdoc societies across the University worked together to organise 'The Big Fat Postdoc Quiz'.

The quiz was an exciting opportunity to take a break from your research and enjoy a fun-filled social event that will put your knowledge to the test. It also provided a chance to connect with fellow postdocs from different disciplines. 

Organised by: BQPDS, BioDocSoc, Easter Bush/Roslin, G2PD, PODS, & IRSS

CMVM Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) Awards

The awards aimed to recognise the exceptional contribution of research staff to the life of the University, to public engagement and community involvement and in the provision of support to their colleagues and Centres.  Staff and students nominated postdocs in the following categories:

1. Contribution to citizenship
2. Contribution to communities, knowledge exchange, public engagement
3. Outstanding postdoc
4. Contribution to scientific advancement
5. Student support and supervision

CMVM Postdoc Awards - Results

Bioquarter Postdoc Symposium

16th September, 09:30am - 13:30pm, Cross-College event

The Bioquarter Postdoc Society organised a day of posters and flash talks on the 16th of September in the Usher Building. 

The programme for the day included some advice from IAD on how to navigate being a postdoc, posters discussion and flash talks. A group photo was also taken to shine a light on postdocs and use the power of social media to raise awareness about the postdoc role, and a virtual whiteboard with the topic myths about post-docs was available to share personal experiences and aimed to debunk the myths about the postdoc role. 

Roslin Postdoc Group Picture

Monday 16th September, 11am

Postdocs met outside the Roslin Institute at 11am to be in the Roslin Postdoc Group picture.  It was also pitched as being a really good opportunity to meet fellow Roslin postodcs.  

Postdoc Appreciation Week - Staff Bulletin Article (Group Photos)

Celebrating scientific success from the IGC postdoc community

Monday 16th September, 14:30 - 16:00, IGC Seminar Room

As part of Postdoc Appreciation Week, the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC) postdoc society held an event to celebrate their postdoc scientific successes!

IGC - A taste of non-research activities

Friday 20th September, IGC Seminar Room 1.14, 15:30, 18:00

School of Biology - Changing Research Cultures Event (PAW)

Hosted by the BioDocSoc, 10am Tuesday 17th September, Waddington Building, Room 1.08

The event included talks on the Concordat, the career paths of researchers in long-term employment on short-term contracts, Research Cultures and a panel discussion

Into the Postdoc-verse: Building relationships across dimensions

Monday 16 Sep 2024, 10:00-12:30 (Online)

This event had a focus on how to authentically network without feeling the ‘ick’,  beyond sectors, disciplines and even dimensions (i.e. time and space)!

In addition to a skills masterclass by Dr Steve Cross, participants were also be able to practice what they learnt right away with some live speed networking sessions within the event.

It also included a panel discussion with 3 current/former part-time postdocs, Dr Joe Fennell, Dr Pooja Khurana and Dr Laura Pottinger, who each brought their unique experience and insights into how to create and build networks that span different sectors and themes.

How to Build your Postdoctoral Research Profile

In celebration of Postdoc Appreciation Week, the IAD is offered a day of 30-minute 1:1 consultations for postdoctoral researchers across the University on 19th September 2024, to allow them to focus on specific areas e.g. developing a new research project, branching out into a new field, developing your profile in preparation for a grant application, creating more synergies between your research activities. 

How to Build your Postdoctoral Research Profile 1:1 Booking