Postdoctoral Affairs

Effective January 1, 2025, the minimum compensation amount for postdocs at Iowa State University is $58,656 for a full-time, 12-month postdoc appointment.

More information coming soon

Spring 2026 Postdoctoral Affairs Events (check back for updates!)

• Includes information for Seminars, Postdoc Writing Hours, Scientific and Scholarship Communication Hours, New Postdoc Orientation, Research Mentor Training Program, Coffee and Chat Hours, One-on-One Consultations, and Faculty and Staff Hours

In addition to the professional development opportunities offered by Postdoctoral Affairs, postdocs are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities provided by on-campus and off-campus partners and organizations. 

• Career Services
• Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
• Office of the Vice President for Research
• University Library
• ISU Research Park
• Centers and Institutes at Iowa State University
• Departmental/College offerings
• Workday Learning/LinkedIn Learning
• Iowa State University Events calendar
• Graduate College Offerings for Professional Development - see next section!

• The Center for Communication Excellence provides oral and written communication support, including the opportunity to schedule with a communication consultant
• Register for communication and professional development seminars and workshops – Communication/Professional Development Calendar
• Career Guidance: Including career coach appointments and the Career Conversation Series
• Grad Mixer Wednesdays
• Individual Development Plan (Iowa State IDP)
• Preparing Future Faculty
• Resource Database, Center for Communication Excellence - Websites, articles, quick tips, interactive tutorials, videos, guides, and books supporting your communication needs.

• Iowa State University Vice President for Research - Funding and Grant Support Resources
• Pathways To Science Database
• Postdoc Professional Development Grant
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Fellowship Finder (grants, awards, and fellowships)
• Zintellect

• Office of the Vice President for Research Mentor Resources
• Postdoc Academy Mentor Resources
• Center for the Improvement Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) - Mentor and Mentee Support Resources
• Postdocs should have time allocated for professional and career development. An 80-10-10 breakdown of the work week is recommended. 80% of time dedicated to research: 10% dedicated to professional, intellectual, and career development; and 10% dedicated to communicating and connecting (networking)
• Additional resources coming soon

Supervisors, partners, stakeholders, or others interested in speaking with Cate or peers are invited to Faculty and Staff Hours. Spring 2026 Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, and June 17. (Spring Faculty and Staff Hours Teams Meeting)

Campus:

• International Students and Scholars Office
• Iowa State University Policy Library

Ames: 

• Discover Ames

National:

• Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research
• Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning
• National Agencies
• National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity
• National Postdoctoral Association (register as an “affiliate individual member” using your Iowa State University email)
• National Research Mentoring Network
• Postdoc Academy
• Professional Organizations

Postdoc Resources:

• Career Exploration
  • Beyond the Professoriate (Login – Beyond the Prof - choose “Iowa State University” and sign in with your ISU credentials)
  • Career Basics: Advice and Resources for Scientists from Science Careers (2009), Science Careers (AAAS)
  • InterSECT Job Simulations
  • NPA Core Competencies, National Postdoctoral Association
  • Science Careers
  • The Lab: Avoiding Research Misconduct, The Office of Research Integrity (Department of Health & Human Services)
  • The Versatile PhD
• Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
  • ImaginePhD for humanities and social sciences
  • MyIDP for STEM from AAAS Science Careers
  • ChemIDP for Chemistry
  • PHASS-IDP for public health and social sciences

• International postdocs are encouraged to meet early and often with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO). You can visit the ISSO office, call (515) 294-1120, or email (isso_scholar@iastate.edu).
• National Postdoctoral Association's Resource Library for International Postdocs
• Resources on Taxes for International Students, ISSO
• More resources and information coming soon