The Berkeley Postdoctoral Association (BPA) is a volunteer organization of postdocs working for all postdocs. The efforts of the Association are entirely based on the interests and commitment of individual postdocs volunteering time and creatively raising funding to host our own events. We welcome suggestions; more importantly, we hope you will share with us your energy and expertise during your time at Berkeley.

On this website you can find information on social events, schedule of orientation for new postdoctoral scholars, policy issues of interest to Berkeley postdoctoral scholars, announcements for seminars for professional development, and list of useful resources.

The Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) Program is the UC Berkeley administrative office for postdoctoral appointees and visiting scholars. On the VSPA website you can find information for prospective postdocs, information on benefits, privileges and policy relevant to UC Berkeley postdoctoral and visiting scholars. The BPA and the VSPA are separate organizations, which collaborate on many programs in effort to enhance the experience postdoctoral scholars have during their appointment at the UC Berkeley.

Mission Statement

The UC Berkeley Postdoctoral Association enhances professional development of postdoctoral researchers at UCB, foster a sense of community and identity among the postdoctoral scholars, and facilitate the integration of postdoctoral scholars into the research establishment. All postdoctoral scholars at UC Berkeley are de facto members of the Berkeley Postdoctoral Association.

Berkeley Postdoctoral Association Committees

The Postdoctoral Association is composed of an executive board which may include the following officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and the Chairs of the Standing Committees.

The BPA Board comprises the following committees:

1. Professional Development - the Professional Development Committee organizes programs to support the professional research and career development skills of postdoctoral fellows. The committee organizes workshops on topics such as grant writing, scientific writing, job searching, networking, and lab management.
2. Policy - the Policy Committee collects and analyzes information on the professional status, rights and responsibilities, and employment conditions and benefits of postdoctoral researchers (regardless of funding source, employment status, nationality, or discipline).
3. Information / Membership - this committee channels announcements and information to postdoctoral researchers, informs the university community about postdoctoral affairs, and facilitates communication and networking between postdoctoral researchers by means of a mailing list and a webpage.
4. Social - the Social Committee facilitates professional and social networking within the postdoctoral community by organizing events including socials, picnics and trips or activities suggested by other members.
5. Community Life - the Community Life Committee gathers and publicizes information on campus and community resources for postdoctoral researchers to enhance their living experience while at UC Berkeley.

Committees may not all be active at all times; committees are task-oriented groups, and their activity depends on the task at hand, and on the interest and involvement of the UC Berkeley Postdoctoral scholars.

All Berkeley postdocs are invited and encouraged to become active within the BPA. Please contact us for more information.

This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-May-2008 13:54:07 PDT