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Rutgers Health Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Our mission is to support, enhance, and promote postdoctoral training at Rutgers Health and to help prepare postdoctoral researchers for successful careers. We work closely with the universitywide Rutgers Office of Postdoctoral Advancement and the Postdoctoral Association to:

  • Facilitate the transition of biomedical postdoctoral researchers to Rutgers
  • Support biomedical postdoctoral researchers and their faculty advisors as they apply for fellowships
  • Provide career exploration and professional development programs and activities
  • Create a community of postdoctoral researchers for social and networking purposes
  • Assist faculty in the recruitment and mentoring of postdoctoral researchers

Become a Postdoc at Rutgers Health

Learn more about the opportunities and environment for postdocs at Rutgers Health. Connect with us at an upcoming recruitment event or contact us to schedule a virtual meeting and learn more.

Learn more

Office Partners

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Rutgers Office of Postdoctoral Advancement

The Rutgers Office of Postdoctoral Advancement supports postdoctoral researchers across all disciplines and four main campuses by serving as the central hub for professional advancement and a guide to the academic policies, procedures, and offices that support postdoctoral careers.

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Rutgers Postdoctoral Association

The Rutgers Postdoctoral Association (PDA) is dedicated to building a postdoc community at Rutgers. The PDA hosts academic symposia, professional development lunches, happy hours, and trips around New Jersey, among other events and activities.

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National Postdoctoral Association

The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) was founded to improve the postdoctoral experience by supporting a culture of inclusive connection. Postdocs at Rutgers are eligible for affiliate membership, which provides free access to all of the NPA's resources, including extensive professional development opportunities, a career planning portal, job postings, and more.

Resources for Rutgers Health Postdocs

As a Rutgers Health postdoc, you have access to vast resources from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and our partners to support your professional growth and career success. Explore opportunities below, including research training programs, mentoring and career development support, workshops and events, and more.

    • Pivot Database: A database of federal, non-federal, foundation, and private funding opportunities for all disciplines and project types. Updated daily.
    • Johns Hopkins University Funding Listing: Johns Hopkins University has curated a list of funding opportunities for postdocs that is continuously updated.
    • Application Support Workshops: Two workshops run by Grant Writing Coaches trained by the National Research Mentoring Network: 1) a weekly NIH F Grant Workshop for junior postdocs; and 2) a monthly Career and Research Workshops for senior postdocs to review Specific Aims pages for K and R grants.
    • Boilerplate Templates for Fellowship Sections: The Office of Postdoctoral Advancement and the Postdoctoral Advisory Council worked together to create boilerplate language for assisting in grant poropsal preparation. Faculty members and postdoctoral researchers are advised to tailor boilerplate language to reflect their research project’s specific aims.
    • See Successful Past Applications (Email Request): Successful past NIH F32 and K99/R00 applications that can be shared upon request and used as guides. To request to view one of the successful past applications, email Janet Alder.
    • Rutgers Addiction Research Center: Rutgers Addiction Research Center (RARC) supports NIH grant applications from postdocs. The program allows individuals to submit their aims and strategy to a panel of senior, NIH-funded investigators internal to Rutgers and receive NIH-style reviews prior to submitting their grant to NIH.
    • INSPIRE – NIH-IRACDA Grant Program: The INSPIRE (IRACDA New Jersey/New York for Science Partnerships in Research and Education) Postdoctoral Program at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, sponsored by NIH-IRACDA (Institutional Research and Career Development Award), provides up to three years of mentored research experience in biomedical fields as well as training in educational methods.
    • Cancer Metabolism and Growth and Tumor Host Interactions: This program leverages the unique research strengths and resources of Rutgers Cancer Institute to provide training in translational research in Cancer Metabolism and Growth and Tumor Host Interactions. The primary goal of this T32 training program is to provide postdoctoral candidates with the highest quality training and research experience.
    • Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology: The curriculum provides broad research training in biochemical, organ system, and mechanistic toxicology with a strong foundation in drug metabolism, pathology, and molecular biology. Trainees are mentored by over 50 faculty members and academic and industry partners.
    • Translating Neuroscience to Therapies: This Rutgers program is designed to equip scientists with the necessary skills and competencies to translate their laboratory-based neuroscience research into therapeutic advancements for neurological disorders. It also seeks to increase the number of researchers focused on translational neuroscience by fostering a diverse cohort of trainees.
    • New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science (NJ ACTS): This program enhances fellows’ knowledge, skills and abilities in clinical and translational research alongside their current research program. It aims to expand career development by focusing on interdisciplinary translational team research and seeks to advance discovery, development, and dissemination of translational research.
    • Rutgers Training in Addiction Research Program: A new National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded T32 Pre/Postdoctoral Research Training Program in Neuroscience with a focus on addiction research to support 3 Pre-Doctoral and 3 Post-Doctoral positions.
    • Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship: Rutgers sponsors an annual cohort of Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows through this program whose mission is to increasing diversity of future faculty. This is a two-year fellowship appointment with the possibility of subsequent appointment to a tenure-track faculty position. The Clinical Scientist Pathway to Tenure Track at Rutgers Health presents two parallel tracks tailored to meet the specific needs of aspiring clinical scientists.
    • Best Practices in Manuscript Preparation Annual Workshop: Write a paper that reviewers will love! We discuss the broad overview of scholarly publishing as well as the latest trends and developments in the industry, including elements such as ethics in publishing, copyright, open access, and more.
    • Weekly Writing Accountability Group: An in-person weekly accountability writing group for postdoctoral researchers. Join anytime; snacks provided.
      • Mondays, 2:30–4:30 p.m. at the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine in Piscataway, Room 241
      • Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at the Child Health Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick, Room 4278
      • Wednesdays,10 a.m.–12 p.m. at the International Center for Public Health in Newark, Room E310L
      • Fridays, 4–6 p.m. at Bartlett Hall in New Brunswick, Library Room
    • Manuscript Writing Workshop: A writing workshop in which postdocs learn step-by-step how to write a manuscript, followed by an overview of sustainable writing tools and practices. This event was funded by the National Postdoctoral Association as part of their IMPACT program.
    • Best Practices in Preparing Figures Workshops: It is critical to convey the essence of your research findings in a simple but compelling way. In these workshops, we teach actionable tips and techniques for preparing figures, graphical abstracts, posters and biological pathways.
    • Responsible Conduct of Research Training: These courses comply with National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines for Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training. Postdoctoral fellows, as well as F32 and K award recipients, are encouraged to participate in either an initial training or a refresher.
    • Rutgers Rigor and Reproducibility Training: The NIH is placing greater emphasis on rigorous experimental design and data analysis to ensure the integrity of scientific studies. For postdocs who have never had statistics courses before, we recommend registering as a non-matriculated student or auditing one of our NIH compliant training courses.
    • NIH Rigor and Reproducibility Modules: For postdocs who have already completed statistics training, we encourage a review of the NIH modules on rigor and reproducibility.
    • Rutgers Communicating Science Course: This course helps students develop an advanced ability to communicate their research clearly to emphasize its value to diverse audiences. Taught by a multidisciplinary faculty with expertise in science, theater arts, communication, and education. Also offered in a workshop format.
    • NPA Professional Development Resources: The National Postdoctoral Association has curated extensive professional development resources, as well as a career center that features a career planning portal and job postings.
    • Individual Development Plans: A mentoring and career development tool that helps you to be more intentional and to take ownership of your career goals and success. It is strongly encouraged for postdoctoral researchers to complete a plan with their faculty mentors as well as two other faculty members.
    • AAMC Compact for Postdocs and Mentors: A framework for aligning the postdoctoral researcher mentor-mentee relationship. The document offers a set of general guidelines that are meant to initiate discussions. Postdoctoral researchers and faculty advisors should reviewe the compact together when starting in the lab.
    • AAMC Appropriate Treatment of Research Trainees: A document designed to emphasize the significance of creating supportive and inclusive training environments for postdoctoral researchers and graduate students. The ultimate aim is to foster a positive and respectful research culture that benefits all trainees.
    • Mentoring Undergrads Workshop and Microbadge: An active learning workshop for PhD students, postdocs, and faculty that uses techniques and case study discussions in breakout sessions to teach tools and skills to better mentor undergraduate students in a research setting.
    • International Postdoctoral Scholars: Rutgers Global provides one-on-one orientations for international postdocs to receive important information about visas and how to navigate the campus and state, as well as upcoming events and opportunities to connect with other international scholars.
    • International Postdoc Network: Resources for incoming internationals, as well as additional information and frequently asked questions.
    • Rutgers Latin@/Hispanic Affinity Group (RU-LAG): Welcoming Latin@/Hispanic grad student/post doc/staff/faculty/Rutgers members from all departments and campuses who identify as or are interested in Latin/Hispanic culture and wish to support the group's mission. The RU-LAG mission is to improve the experience of the Rutgers Latin@/Hispanic community in building friendship, community, networking, professional development, and assisting in the transition to life at Rutgers and New Jersey. The group hosts a happy hour on the first Friday of every month at Pino's in Highland Park, and members regularly host events and meetups to explore New Jersey. To be part of the community, join the WhatsApp chat or visit the group's website. For more information, please contact postdoc Clara Berdasco.
    • Rutgers Postdoc Parents and Caregivers: For parents and caregivers (broadly defined) who are current Rutgers postdocs. Facilitated by postdoc Kat Denny, the group's mission is to provide a community of peers facing similar challenges and celebrations, and resources for navigating the postdoc parent/caregiver life at Rutgers. All current Rutgers postdocs at any campus are welcome to join this online community, with in-person programming, events, and resources possible in the future. Complete the form to receive an invite to the Slack workspace.
    • Rutgers Vegan Affinity Group: For vegans and veg-curious colleagues, and those interested in learning more about veganism. Facilitated by Maria Ivanova, the goal of the group is to create a community of like-minded people, build connections, and provide support to those who choose this lifestyle. Planned activities include potlucks, discussions, watching movies, visiting vegan restaurants, and more. Meetings will take place biweekly or monthly depending on membership. Join the WhatsApp group or contact Maria Ivanova.
    • Rutgers Postdoctoral Christian Community: Where faith and intellect converge in pursuit of deeper understanding. Facilitated by postdoc Rob Tancer, the community is dedicated to fostering a supportive network for postdoctoral researchers who are passionate about exploring the intersection of faith and science, alongside the timeless wisdom of Aristotelian philosophy. Through engaging intellectual discussions and guest lectures, the group aims to enrich the understanding of how faith influences scientific inquiry and vice versa. For postdocs interested in philosophical debates, networking with like-minded peers, or simply seeking a welcoming environment for meaningful conversations, the community offers a space where faith and reason harmoniously coexist. Delve into challenging topics, expand knowledge, and build lasting connections among fellow postdocs committed to both academic excellence and spiritual exploration. Sign up via Google Sheets and join the What’sApp group.
    • Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Tech Commercialization Postdoc Affinity Group: For postdocs involved in any kind of innovation, entrepreneurship, and tech commercialization training and fellowships. As a Technology transfer fellow and postdoc leader, Faheem Faheem Ullah created this affinity group for innovation-minded postdocs interested in learning about new opportunities to bring a specific innovation forward or develop an entrepreneurial mindset. The group focuses on postdoctoral training’s role in nurturing leadership potential and preparing individuals for impactful careers in research and education, and fosters the idea that scholars are agents of innovation and catalysts for change in the scientific ecosystem. Members can share opportunities, and experiences, and build community amongst these innovators to identify paths forward to commercialize technologies and create startup companies. Join asynchronous conversations and monthly meetings in the Microsoft Teams channel.
    • Brain Health Institute Postdoc Group: The Postdoctoral Alliance Working Group of the Brain Health Institute, led by Jaclyn Eisdorfer and Aysegul Gungor Aydin, is collecting information for a database about Rutgers trainees (post-docs, as well as PhD, master’s, and undergraduate students) engaged in neuroscience, brain and mental health research (basic, translation and clinical). Anonymous trainee stats (number of trainees, publications, fellowships, etc.) will be available for trainees to use in grant and fellowship applications when discussing the BHI. Complete the Google Form to join the listserv and receive information about symposiums, seminars, travel awards, fellowships, outdoor events, trivia nights, and even instructions on how to file taxes on a fellowship.
    • The Friends of Europe – a Postdoc Affinity Group: For postdocs from Europe, those thinking about studying or working in Europe, or those interested in European cultures. Facilitated by postdoc Alisa Herbst, the group's in-person meetings will involve cooking and tasting foods from European countries, watching movies together, playing our favorite games, and more. Sign up to attend upcoming meetings or to join the email list.

The Postdoc Experience

Financial Planning Workshop
Childcare Options & Lactation Rooms
Public Safety
Rutgers Health Food Pantry
Office of Employment Equity
New Brunswick/Piscataway Short-Term Apartment Rentals
New Brunswick/Piscataway Off-Campus Housing
Newark Housing Information
All About Life in New Jersey
Parking Permits
Rutgers–New Brunswick Campus Buses
Rutgers–Newark Transit
Employee Assistance Program
Rutgers OPA Wellness Resources
Well-Being at Rutgers Health
Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance

Contact Us

Janet Alder has chin-length brown curly hair and is wearing a purple shirt

Janet Alder

Rutgers Health

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Postdoctoral Affairs, Rutgers Health & Assistant Dean, School of Graduate Studies

Rutgers Health

Phone732-235-5392

In her roles as Assistant Vice Chancellor and Assistant Dean, Janet Alder supports biomedical postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, respectively with their professional development and career exploration. She acts as a resource for the trainees throughout their time at Rutgers. She is also an Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Cell Biology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Her lab studies cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Traumatic Brain Injury in model systems.