Rutgers logo
University Academic Affairs

Rutgers Postdoc Excellence: Your Future Starts Here

Rowers on the Raritan River

Discover Rutgers University

Research at Rutgers 

1,000+
Companies Engaged in Research at Rutgers
1,197
Active Patents
4,167
Research Awards (FY22)
$145 Million
In Industry-Sponsored Research

Top Honors 

  • World’s Top 100 most innovative universities and New Jersey’s #1 ranked public university.
  • As one of the nation’s most diverse universities, Rutgers draws strength from the rich variety of perspectives and life experiences of our beloved community.
  • Rutgers stands as one of America’s largest and most comprehensive university-based centers for studying and improving human health and health care.
  • Rutgers' 300-plus research centers and institutes are the largest network of research labs and facilities in New Jersey. Rutgers is ready to work with industry, entrepreneurs, small businesses, the public sector, and nonprofits to develop new ideas and products with local and global impact.
map of Nj with Rutgers locations

Why Choose Rutgers?

Community

Join a vibrant community of over 800+ postdoctoral scholars at Rutgers University. With 94% of our postdocs specializing in STEM and Biomed fields, and 6% in humanities and social sciences, Rutgers offers a rich interdisciplinary environment that encourages collaboration and innovation

Connections

At Rutgers, we understand the importance of fostering connections that transcend disciplines and borders. 40% of our scholars also hail from countries around the globe. As a postdoc here, you'll find a supportive network that values collaboration, cultural exchange, and intellectual growth.

Advance Your Research

By choosing Rutgers University for your postdoctoral journey, you're not just advancing your research; you're becoming a part of a global family of scholars dedicated to shaping the future of knowledge. Embrace the opportunity to collaborate, learn, and thrive in a community where diversity is not just embraced but celebrated.

Explore 

Located on the vibrant East Coast, Rutgers University boasts a prime location just a stone's throw away from the iconic cities of Philadelphia and New York City. These dynamic urban centers serve as living laboratories, offering postdocs a chance to engage with cutting-edge research, world-class museums, and a diverse array of culinary delights. Beyond academics, our proximity to these bustling hubs ensures you are at the crossroads of cultures. Expand your horizons at Rutgers, where academic excellence meets limitless possibilities.

We Are Dedicated to You

Committed to advancing the University’s pursuit of academic excellence, conducting cutting-edge research, and fostering innovation, the Office of Postdoctoral Advancement (OPA) supports postdoctoral researchers from all four main campuses and across all disciplines by being the central hub for their professional advancement and a guide to the academic policies, procedures, and offices that support postdoctoral careers.

9 presidential postdoctoral fellows

Your Career on Track

Setting SMART Goals

Learn how to become the driver of your career through our career advancement workshop series: Your Career on Track, a 2-day workshop meticulously crafted by the Office of Postdoctoral Advancement. This experience is designed to introduce postdocs to the art of setting SMART goals and creating individual development plans (IDPs), paving the way for a purposeful and fulfilling academic journey.

Support Network of Mentors

This program also guides postdocs in building a robust support network of mentors. Our workshops equip you with the skills to identify, connect with, and foster meaningful relationships with mentors who will champion your ambitions, and provide guidance, ensuring you navigate your postdoc journey with confidence and clarity.

Proactive, Reflection, Empowered, Planning (PREP) Career Program

A unique and pioneering program, the first of its kind to be introduced and initiated within a Higher Education Institution for PhDs, launched in 2019 by the Office of Postdoctoral Advancement. This program utilizes a holistic assessment method to enhance career alignment, fulfillment, and development. This program is tailored for individuals who:

  • Seek clarity in formulating the next steps for a career plan
  • Desire guidance on how to stand out in a competitive landscape and advance in their career journey.
  • Wish to optimize their training and career trajectory effectively.
  • Are on the brink of a career transition but grapple with articulating their unique contribution and professional value.

In this 4-part workshop series, participants will learn to identify the key elements for career alignment, fulfillment, and finding the perfect career fit. The program helps postdocs acquire the tools and confidence needed to showcase their professional value to peers, colleagues, and prospective employers, ensuring that they stand out in the professional arena."

Looking at data, testimonial

Fellowships and Grants 

Cohorts 

Home to four cohort fellowship programs including the Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows Program, INSPIRE, the Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice, and Scarlet and Black, we are passionately committed to nurturing your academic journey and empowering your success.

Programs 

Rutgers proudly boasts 7+ NIH postdoctoral (T32) training programs, strengthening your expertise and broadening your horizons. Our institution provides NIH grant writing support through specialized resources designed to elevate your grant proposal preparation.

Rutgers Health

Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

The Rutgers Health Office of Postdoctoral Affairs' mission is to support, enhance, and promote postdoctoral training for biomedical postdocs within Rutgers Health and help prepare them for successful careers. For more information, contact Dr. Janet Alder, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Postdoctoral Affairs, Rutgers Health.

iJOBS (Rutgers University Interdisciplinary Job Opportunities for Biomedical Scientists)

The program exposes biomedical Ph.D. students and postdocs to a range of non-academic and academic career options and empowers them to pursue their career goals.

The Friends of Europe – a Postdoc Affinity Group

Are you from Europe, are you thinking of studying or working in Europe, or are you simply interested in European cultures and want to spend time with like-minded people? Join our affinity group facilitated by postdoc Dr. Alisa Herbst.! Our first meeting will be over Zoom on Monday, September 9 at 5 pm but future meetings will be in person and will involve cooking and tasting foods from European countries, watching movies together, playing our favorite games, and so much more. During our initial Zoom meeting we will get to know each other and decide where to meet for our first in-person meeting. Please sign up for this first meeting using this link. If you can’t make it to the first meeting but would like to be added to our email list – you can indicate that as well using this same link. The zoom link for our first meeting is: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/98401440536?pwd=CaO6waDbvxKEmFNuLGUTQgwOFNweIM.1

European parliament

Rutgers Postdoc Parents and Caregivers (RPPC)

A new affinity group for parents and caregivers (broadly defined) who are current Rutgers Postdocs. Our mission is to provide 1) a community of peers facing similar challenges and celebrations and 2) resources for navigating the postdoc parent/caregiver life at Rutgers. All current Rutgers postdocs at any campus are welcome to join this online community which will hopefully lead to in person programming and events and resources. To receive an invite to the Slack workspace, please fill out this form. Facilitated by postdoc Dr. Kat Denny.

family at breakfast time

Rutgers Latinx/Hispanic Affinity Group (RU-LAG)

We welcome Latin@/Hispanic grad student/post doc/staff/faculty/Rutgers members from all departments and campuses identify as or interested in Latin/Hispanic culture who wish to support our mission. Our 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 NJ. If you are interested in being part of our community, please join our WhatsApp chat here or visit our website here. We have a monthly happy hour, the 1st Friday of every month, in Pino's at Highland Park and our members regularly host events and meet ups to explore New Jersey. For more information, please contact Postdoc Vik Meadows or Clara Berdasco.

Group of Latinx/Hispanic friends
European parliament
family at breakfast time
Group of Latinx/Hispanic friends

For more postdoc affinity groups, pleases visit the Rutgers Health Office of Postdoctoral Affairs website.