About PPA
What we do
We work to enhance the postdoctoral experience at Penn by addressing shared interests and concerns through:
Community building
The PPA is committed to building a strong and supportive community among postdocs by organizing social events, community outreach initiatives, and promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion. We believe that fostering a sense of belonging is essential for postdocs to thrive both personally and professionally.
Career development and networking
The PPA creates opportunities for career development and networking, enabling postdocs to expand their skills and expertise, explore career paths, and establish professional relationships with peers and mentors. We also work to connect postdocs with valuable career development resources across campus, including workshops, seminars, funding opportunities, and other relevant support.
Advocacy for postdocs
As a voice for postdocs, the PPA advocates for policies and practices that promote fair treatment, adequate compensation, optimal working conditions, and overall well-being for postdocs at Penn. We work closely with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the Biomedical Postdoc Program, and other university administration to address issues affecting postdocs' welfare and professional development.
History of PPA
The PPA has existed in its current state since October of 2022. Prior to that, it existed as the Biomedical Postdoctoral Council (BPC) and primarily served postdocs in Biomedical Postdoc Programs. BPC was founded in 2000 as one of the first postdoctoral associations in the United States.
Since its renaming, the group has strived to promote solidarity and support among postdocs not just within biomedical programs but across all twelve schools of the university as well as its affiliated research institutions, including Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Monell Chemical Senses Center, Swarthmore College and Wistar Institute. Our current membership includes postdocs from all twelve schools and all affiliated institutions as reflected from our event registrations and survey participation.
Open Meetings 2024
We hold virtual open meetings every first Monday of the month at 5:00 PM ET. In the event that a meeting falls on a major holiday, we will reschedule the meeting to the following Monday. All Penn postdocs are welcome to attend. At these meetings, PPA leadership and committees as well as BPP and Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) leadership provide updates on their activities. Audience members are invited to join open discussion. BPP and OPA leadership will step out to facilitate a safe space for topics necessitating protected postdoc-to-postdoc discussion.
Please see agendas and minutes for our past meetings below:
