About the Office

Established in Spring 2023, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) operates under the umbrella of the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR).

The primary mission of Penn’s OPA is to enhance the postdoctoral experience through several core functions. It assumes a leadership role in the governance of the postdoc population, including the oversight of university policies affecting postdocs and addressing policy-related issues. As a central liaison, the OPA improves communication within the university and across the postdoctoral community while also representing Penn in national and peer-level forums focused on the postdoctoral experience.

Additionally, the OPA is responsible for managing the Provost’s Postdoctoral Program. OPA also provides a suite of online resources and communications to support postdocs in navigating research and life at Penn. This includes providing and facilitating access to guidance for faculty mentors and staff involved in postdoc activities. The office also focuses on community building, specifically offering programming and communications tailored to the onboarding and orientation of postdocs new to Penn and is committed to creating a more equitable experience for postdocs across the campus by promoting and supporting best practices.