Director for Postdoctoral Affairs

Reporting to the Dean for Research Initiatives and Global Programs, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs is a key leader who works collaboratively with OPF staff and other institutional leaders to design, implement, strengthen, and broaden postdoctoral fellowship experiences for scientific advancement and professional and career development in the Harvard Longwood community. Specific responsibilities include:

Design and implement the mission of the Office for Postdoctoral Fellows to serve approximately 600 postdocs in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School

• Provide strategic leadership for postdoctoral training at HMS/HSDM, including setting and executing annual office goals, managing staff (currently one full-time employee), and overseeing the office budget.

• Solicit feedback on strategic direction from the Office’s Advisory Committee. 

• Design, deliver, and continuously improve comprehensive postdoc programming, including orientation, training curriculum, outreach and recruitment, and collaborations that expand services.

• Open this programming to the HMS non-ladder faculty community and to the broader HMS-wide postdoc community, including postdocs at affiliate institutions (approximately 5,000 postdocs).

• In collaboration with the HMS Office of Faculty Affairs, develop and manage data, systems, and policies related to postdocs, including dashboards, process and policy repositories, and an alumni database for outcomes and networking.

• Support the postdoctoral community and institutional mission by assessing needs, writing grant support letters, and supervising the Harvard Medical Postdoctoral Association and HMS Black Postdoctoral Association.

Provide career coaching and professional development assistance to the HMS/HSDM postdoc community

• Advise and mentor postdocs on career options and counsel postdocs on how to successfully complete training, make the most of the postdoc, and prepare for career transition.

• Develop and deliver comprehensive programs and services, including workshops, seminars, career events, career counseling, mentoring, and individualized development plans.

• Implement strategies to expand and improve professional development, social experience, and the personal well-being of postdoctoral trainees, including mental health assistance during crisis situations or career transitions.

Create, lead, or participate in school-wide ad hoc committees, working groups, and project teams to develop and enhance services that support the needs of postdoctoral scholars

• Co-Chair the Academic Working Group and serve on school and university committees as assigned.

• Participate on the leadership team for the Research Rigor, Reproducibility, & Responsibility (R3) Initiative.

• Inform and collaborate with department chairs, administrators, peer offices, and industry partners within and external to Harvard Medical School on topics and projects related to postdoc training.

• Understand, interpret, and provide subject matter expertise on the application of postdoc policies and guidelines.

Direct or Co-Direct the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Program for postdocs

• Partner with the Center for Bioethics to deliver the RCR Program.

• Teach RCR sessions using cutting edge pedagogical techniques.

• Supervise RCR administrative team including class scheduling and facilitator recruitment.

• Oversee course communications and management, materials and content, and compliance.

• Work with the Office of Graduate Education and the Curriculum Fellows Program to align and strengthen the postdoc RCR course and the graduate student Responsible Conduct of Science (RCoS) course.

Other tasks as assigned

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time.

• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion.

As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.