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Awards for Postdocs and Mentors: The Heart of CU Boulder’s Research

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The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is excited to announce the opportunity to recognize Outstanding Postdocs and Outstanding Postdoc Mentors. We encourage you to submit nominations and join us in celebrating their achievements during National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW), from September 16-20. Recipients will receive a $150 gift card.

Call for Nominations: Outstanding Postdoc of the Year Award

These awards recognize Postdoctoral Associates, Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Associates in temporary traineeship positions, who demonstrate excellence in research, communication and leadership.

Eligibility

  • Current Postdoctoral Associates, Postdoctoral Fellows, or Research Associates in a traineeship position at CU Boulder or an affiliated lab are eligible.
  • Previous Outstanding Postdoc of the Year Award recipients are not eligible.
  • Nominations must be from a faculty member, and nominees should have completed at least 3 months of postdoctoral service at CU Boulder at the time of application.

Nomination Information

Nominators, who should be the postdoc’s faculty mentor or supervisor, must submit:

  • A copy of the postdoc’s CV.
  • A recommendation letter (2 pages max) summarizing some of the postdoc’s achievements, such as:
    • Innovation or research contributions to the discipline(s).
    • Research productivity, including publications, presentations, performances, and funding.
    • Clarity of communication about research or scholarly work and a commitment to communicating with broad audiences.
    • Ability to collaborate, enhancing outcomes across diverse disciplines or fields of study.
    • Advocacy for JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) principles on campus or in the discipline.
    • Leadership, including mentoring, project management, and service within the local, national, and international communities.

Call for Nominations: Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award

This award recognizes faculty members who provide exceptional mentoring, training and leadership to postdoctoral scholars at CU Boulder.

Eligibility

  • Current faculty members nominated by a Postdoctoral Associate, Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate in a traineeship position at CU Boulder or an affiliated lab are eligible.
  • Mentors should have completed at least 3 months of postdoctoral mentoring at CU Boulder at the time of nomination.
  • Previous Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award recipients are not eligible.

Nomination Information

Nominators should submit:

  • The mentor’s CV.
  • A recommendation letter (2 pages max) from a postdoc mentee or mentees, describing how the mentor:
    • Creates a supportive training environment tailored to the needs of individual postdocs.
    • Advocates for and guides postdocs towards professional independence.
    • Champions JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) principles on campus or in the discipline.
    • Provides regular and constructive feedback to postdocs to develop their careers.