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.
• Postdocs should receive annual reviews. Supervisors and postdocs can use the Postdoc Annual Review Template or reach out to Postdoctoral Affairs for more templates. To receive a meritorious performance increase in January, an annual review must be submitted in Workday and conducted within an October 1 – September 30 cycle.
• More information coming soon

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

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

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

• Includes information for Seminars, Postdoc Writing Hours, Scientific & Scholarship Presentation Hours, New Postdoc Orientation, Research Mentor Training Program, Postdoc Chat & Interact, Postdoc Walk, One-on-One Consultations, and Faculty & 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
• Quick Support Handouts for Supervisors
  • Annual Reviews and IDPs - Q&A, Processes
  • Best Use of Years - A Postdoc's Year-by-Year Considerations
  • Mentoring Support
  • Postdocs as Employees Support
  • Postdoc Training and Appointment Success Support
• Setting Up a Successful Appointment
  • Individual Development Plans (IDPs): Best practice is to establish an IDP in the first three months of the appointment and review annually. See the “Postdoc Resources and Off-Campus…” section for more on IDPs.
  • Annual Reviews: Postdocs should receive annual reviews. Supervisors and postdocs can use the Postdoc Annual Review Template or reach out to Postdoctoral Affairs for more templates. See the Postdoc Handbook for more.
  • Mentoring/Supervising Agreements: Establish expectations for both parties. CIMER’s Mentorship Agreements/Compacts Library is a good starting point. Reach out to Postdoctoral Affairs for more information.
• 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)
• Supervisors, partners, stakeholders, and others interested in speaking with Cate or peers are invited to Faculty & Staff Hours. Fall 2026 Hours are August 14 (2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.), September 23 (9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.), October 23 (12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.), November 23 (8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.), and December 15 (3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Use the Faculty & Staff Hours Teams Link to Join.
• Additional resources coming soon

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