Postdoctoral Scholar Groups & Associations
Stanford has an active community of over 1900 postdoctoral scholars across all Stanford schools. The following is a list of the current postdoc groups:
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Stanford University Postdoc Association (SURPAS)
SURPAS, formerly known as SUPD, is the umbrella organization of all postdoctoral scholars at Stanford. SURPAS' mission is to work with university administration in enriching the lives and the career development of postdocs. SURPAS has an extensive website with resources for prospective as well as current postdocs, as well as useful information for international scholars. SURPAS organizes social as well as academic events.
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A.I.M.S - Association of Industry - Minded Stanford Professionals
AIMS is an organization that is run in partnership with the School of Medicine Career Center. Their goal is to provide guidance and support for postdoctoral scholars who are interested in pursuing a career path in industry, rather than academia. The main goal of AIMS is to create a fertile networking environment for entrepreneurially minded postdocs and ease the transition between postdoc and industry. - Chemistry, Engineering & Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H) Postdoc Society
Stanford ChEM-H, an interdisciplinary institute that aims to connect chemistry, engineering and medicine for human health, is establishing a postdoc society with the aim of bringing together researchers from across the university to share interests and ideas. Meetings will be held twice monthly, and will include opportunities to share your work with your colleagues over lunch or drinks, to discuss ideas or articles that interest you, and hopefully to meet other researchers with common interests with whom you can generate new ideas and collaborations.
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Association of Chinese Students and Scholars at Stanford (ACSSS)
ACSSS is a student-run organization whose mission is to broaden the channels of communication between the Stanford mainland Chinese community and various other cultural, academic, and professional communities in the Bay Area. As representatives of the Stanford Chinese community, ACSSS also seeks to foster an unique appreciation of Chinese culture and provide information on the academic and professional opportunities there to all Stanford community members. Finally, ACSSS will do its best to help incoming Chinese students and scholars settle into the Stanford environment by providing practical services.
- Chinese Life-Science Postdocs and Students at Stanford (CLIPSS)CLIPSS’s mission is to serve is Stanford Chinese postdoctoral trainees and students who work in the biomedical and related fields, promoting their scientific and social interactions, career developments and life experiences at Stanford. The group organizes social and community events, including career-related workshops and talks.
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Science and Engineering Graduate Women’s Association (SEGWA)
SEGWA is the umbrella organization for all graduate women in science and engineering at Stanford University. Its mission is to promote interdisciplinary communication and collaboration between women and women's organizations for increased efficiency and impact of organizational efforts.
Stanford students have formed women's groups in many science and engineering departments, sponsoring a variety of community resources such as seminars, mentor programs, and social events. SEGWA strives to help individual students and groups publicize and secure funding for events, start new events and groups, and advocate for academic and student life initiatives. Groups affiliated with SEGWA are:
If you are interested in pursuing the formation of a new postdoctoral scholar group, please review the policy and guidelines on the process and policies for forming new postdoc groups. For more information, you may also contact the Associate Director for Programs in the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Groups outside of Stanford University, of which the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at Stanford is a member:
- The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Postdoctorate Leaders Section is part of the Group on Graduate Research Education and Training (GREAT). The Postdoctorate Section focuses on policy issues related to postdoctoral education in the biosciences, to enhance the quality of postdoctoral research training and professional development by providing a forum for faculty members and administrative officials responsible for postdoctoral matters at LCME-accredited medical schools and teaching hospitals.
- National Postdoc Association (NPA) is the primary national organization promoting postdoctoral education and experience at US universities. NPA works towards advocacy, inclusion and improving the quality of life of all postdocs nationwide.