Professional Development/Training

Essential Training

The Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs is committed to enhancing your postdoctoral experience by offering various opportunities for career development. The following workshops are considered essential training for postdocs.

New Postdoc Orientation

As a postdoc, we want to ensure that you receive the best training, feel engaged with campus community and receive opportunities to enhance your postdoctoral experience. To set the foundation of expectations, inform you of resources, benefits, services and professional development, please attend the New Postdoc Orientation that will be held the 2nd Thursday of every month from 12 – 2 pm. Sign up here to attend one of the monthly sessions.

Introduction to the Ethical Challenges of Research

Success in research and professional development requires awareness of a variety of challenges. It also requires skill in managing them. To address this, the Ethical Challenges of Research Series was designed specifically for postdocs. The series is comprised of two parts: an introductory overview offered every month and special topics offered every other month. The introductory overview is essential to take as part of your postdoctoral training and education if you have never taken a research ethics course as a postdoc. 

EPIC Bootcamp: Your Summit to Success

This two half-day professional development EPIC Bootcamp is designed for postdocs at the beginning of their training to understand their role as a postdoc and to help them succeed during their training at UC San Diego and beyond. 

Postdoc Individual Development Plan

Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a tool to identify skills, knowledge, and interests; outline career goals; and manage an individual’s career development progress. For assistance on creating your IDP, assessing your skills, working with mentors and setting realistic and achievable goals, attend the EPIC Bootcamp. Each postdoc will have the opportunity to develop and present his/her IDP to faculty participants for feedback and by the end of the session have the foundation of an IDP to guide his/her career objectives.

Other Training and Certificate Programs

grAdvantage Certificate in Leadership and Teamwork

In today’s job market, an increasing number of companies seek candidates with strong “soft skills” to complement their technical skills and expertise. Regardless of the field, qualities such as solid communication skills, self-awareness, time management, and the ability to function on diverse and collaborative teams are highly sought-after. The UC San Diego Extension Specialized Certificate in Leadership and Teamwork is designed to equip participants with those skills to help them excel in any working environment. The certificate consists of three courses focusing on leadership, teamwork, and project management. Throughout the program, students will implement these skills by working collaboratively on teams to manage hands-on projects on campus. The culmination of the program will include a showcase of the students’ projects to campus leaders, industry guests, and the general public. Upon completion of the certificate program, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will be empowered to transition into their career pursuits.

UC San Diego Extension: Project Management Certificate

Based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the curriculum includes an in-depth study of the elements essential to initiate, execute and complete a successful project, including the development of interpersonal skills critical to conducting work in a team environment. Examine how the principles of project management apply to specific industries, broaden your people skills to prevent or handle all types of conflicts or situations, and learn the nuances of management from a global perspective. Apply the tools and skills learned through a comprehensive hands-on simulation experience.

UC San Diego Extension: Biotech Project Management Certificate

The joint online Biotech Project Management Specialized Certificate Program through UC San Diego Extension and University of Washington Extension is intended for product managers, manufacturing managers, quality managers and scientific, clinical research or regulatory specialists engaged in biotech product design, development and control. The program is ideal for individuals who are trying to move into the biotech industry by learning project management processes for completing and delivering a biotech product within budget and on schedule.

UC San Diego Postdoctoral Association Training & Volunteer Opportunities

The UC San Diego Postdoctoral Association (PDA) is comprised of postdocs who volunteer their time to enhance the postdoctoral experience by organizing professional development programs and networking opportunities.

Opportunities and Resources for Postdocs include:

Career Development Resources will help you thrive as a postdoc at UC San Diego.

  • Explore, Prepare, Innovate, Connect (EPIC) Program
  • Science Policy
  • Business | Entrepreneurship
  • Project Management
  • Teaching Development
  • Communication
  • Mentorship
  • Grants
  • For Families
  • Other Resources
  • Diversity

Can I register for SIO & UC San Diego Classes?

You cannot register for classes, but as a postdoc you are allowed to audit any class for free.  Just make sure you have permission from the instructor.