Current Postdocs

Career Preparation Resources

Exploring Your Next Career Move

Individual Career Consultations

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs meets individually, upon request, with postdocs to help them as they consider their next career move and translate skills for a variety of careers. The Office will review application materials (CV, cover letters, etc.), help with interview preparation for positions within and external to academia, and address general questions about their position and Cornell.

Online Cornell Career Exploration and Preparation Resources

The Cornell Career Network provides an online Career Development Toolkit through the Canvas learning management software system. In this toolkit you will find useful resources on exploring career paths, developing a network, cover letter and resume guidance, interviewing and negotiation suggestions, as well as resources for seeking international jobs. While the content was developed for undergraduates, much of it is highly applicable to postdocs and graduate students.

Careers Beyond Academia LibGuide

The LibGuide was developed for graduate students and postdocs by the Graduate School’s Careers Beyond Academia Office. It contains information on how to find potential employers organized by industry, nonprofits, government, think tanks and more. There are specific interviewing tips and a guide for how to get started in your job search outside of academia.

Handshake

Postdocs may join Handshake to learn about upcoming career fairs and career exploration events as well as job advertisements by employers specifically looking to interact with individuals at Cornell. While Handshake is primarily for undergraduates, the graduate school and outside employers often advertise events on Handshake that are open to postdocs. To join Handshake, please go to the Handshake website and open an account. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will receive a notice and approve the request.

LinkedIn

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs maintains a LinkedIn page and an invitation-only group of current and former postdocs. For the purposes of networking, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs LinkedIn page and the Graduate School LinkedIn page both serve as an excellent resources for connecting with other Cornell-affiliated individuals. If you would like to join the Cornell Postdoc Alumni group, please email postdocs@cornell.edu.

Teaching Resources

Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation

The Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation assists postdocs in strengthening their teaching skills. Throughout the year the center offers activities specifically designed for postdocs and graduate students. These include an Inclusive Teaching Institute, asynchronous virtual TA orientation, a University-wide GET SET teaching conference, an Essentials of Teaching Institute, and more. Visit the Center for Teaching Innovation website or contact cornellcti@cornell.edu for more information.

Cornell is part of the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Network. Check out additional workshops and opportunities available at no cost to graduate students and postdocs.

The Cornell Prison Education Program

The Cornell Prison Education Program is dedicated to supporting incarcerated persons’ academic ambitions and preparation for successful re-entry. We believe that Cornell faculty and student engagement as instructors at correctional facilities manifests Ezra Cornell’s commitment to founding an institution where “any person can find instruction in any study.”

CPEP offers college courses to students in Cayuga and Auburn Correctional Facilities. These students take three to four classes a semester as they work toward their associate’s degree. Past course offerings include courses in Sociology, Government, Law, Music, Biology, Economics, and Psychology.

For additional information, visit the Cornell Prison Education Program website.

Leadership and Mentoring Resources

Postdoc Leadership Program

The Postdoc Leadership Program runs annually each fall. It focuses on giving postdocs the tools to be effective leaders and managers in their professions.

Building Mentorship Skills for Academic Careers Program

The mentor development program offered by the Graduate School Future Faculty and Academic Careers program runs annually during the academic year. It focuses on developing skills to become an effective mentor to undergraduate students, graduate students, or postdocs.

Skills Development Resources

Individual Development Plan

IDPs help postdocs chart a course to not only produce their scholarly work, but to acquire the skills and training necessary for their next career move. MyIDP is an interactive individual development plan (IDP) worksheet from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to explore career possibilities and set goals to follow the career path that best suits you. ImaginePhD offers a similar resource more tailored to humanities and social sciences. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs strongly encourages each postdoc to use an IDP, in collaboration with their mentor, to plan out their postdoc experience. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs can help identify resources to help in meeting goals outlined in an IDP.

Cornell Statistical Consulting Unit (CSCU)

The Cornell Statistical Consulting Unit (CSCU) is available to assist researchers with statistical analyses on campus. They run workshops as well as offer private consultations about your specific research problems. They are a great resource for getting any kind of statistical help, either before or during a project.

Cornell Libraries

Cornell has a large library system with many resources. To access subscription-only websites off-campus using the Cornell subscription, install Access Anywhere in your browser. In addition to books available for check out, the library offers services that allow for digital downloads of audio books or ePub books for tablets.

Online Career Resources

National Postdoctoral Association

National Postdoctoral Association Organizational Member 2026

Cornell University is an organizational member of the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA). Founded in 2003, the NPA’s mission is “to advance the U.S. research enterprise by maximizing the effectiveness of the research community and enhancing the quality of the postdoctoral experience for all participants.”

As a postdoc, faculty member, or employee of an organizational member institution, you are eligible for a free Affiliate Membership to the NPA, including newsletters and members-only web content. Simply click here, select the Affiliate Member type, and create your account.

Postdoc Academy

The Postdoc Academy is a comprehensive online program built on the National Postdoctoral Association core competencies to support skill development throughout postdoc training, from orientation to next career step. While this program is no longer active, there are many useful resources available at the site.

New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS)

Cornell University maintains an institutional membership with the New York Academy of Science (NYAS). Secure a sponsored free one year membership with NYAS to access to various resources such as networking and resource building and career readiness training.

Sign up for your free Academy Membership on the Organizational Membership-NYAS page.

Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Programs

CIRTL is a North American future faculty preparation effort with branches at more than 40 universities. Participate in webinars, online courses, and summer teaching institutes on diversity in the college classroom, Individual Development Plans (IDPs), the academic job search, and additional topics on teaching and research mentoring.

NCFDD

Individual NCFDD memberships are available for free to all Cornell community members as a benefit of Cornell’s Institutional membership. Resources provided by NCFDD include 14-Day Writing Challenges and other courses and workshops.

NCFDD is a nationally recognized, independent organization providing online career development and mentoring resources. NCFDD provides members with access to tools to increase research and writing productivity and improve work-life balance.

Activate your account by following the steps below:

  1. Go to the NCFDD members website and “Become a Member” tab.
  2. Under “Select Your Institution,” choose “Cornell University”
  3. Select “Activate my Membership.”
  4. Complete the registration form using your Cornell email address.
  5. Check your Cornell email account to find a confirmation/welcome email. Click “Activate Account” in the email.

NIH Office of Intramural Teaching and Education (OITE)

NIH’s OITE maintains a career blog and YouTube video library of resources covering topics such as The Academic Job Search, Chalk talk preparation, Careers in industry, Mental Health and Well-being, and much more.