2026 National Postdoc Appreciation Week at Penn: September 21–25
2026 National Postdoc Appreciation Week at Penn: September 21–25
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Penn’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) and Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs (BPP), in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), invite the postdoctoral community to celebrate National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW), September 21–25, 2026.
National Postdoc Appreciation Week recognizes the significant contributions postdoctoral scholars make to research, discovery, teaching, and the academic community. This year’s Penn-CHOP celebration features a full week of professional development, wellness, networking, and social events designed to celebrate postdocs and bring our community together.
Monday, September 21
BPP & OPA Open House
10 a.m.–noon | John Morgan Building M102 & College Hall 205 | Penn Postdocs
Kick off NPAW with BPP and OPA! Stop by either office for coffee and cookies, connect with fellow postdocs and administrators, and pick up your 2026 NPAW swag.
2026 NPAW Kickoff Panel: “150 Years of U.S. Postdocs: Issues of Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow”
1–1:30 p.m. | Virtual | All Postdocs
Kick off NPAW with the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) for a conversation examining issues facing the postdoctoral community today, lessons from the past, and opportunities to strengthen the postdoctoral experience in the future.
Tuesday, September 22
The Indispensable Mindset: The Unwritten Rules for Building Trust, Influence, and Long-Term Career Success
11 a.m.–noon | Abramson Research Center (CHOP) & Virtual | All Postdocs
Join Ana Welsh, Wharton Lecturer and Workplace Dynamics Speaker, for this year’s NPAW keynote. Learn practical strategies for strengthening your professional identity, navigating mentor relationships, managing up, communicating across different personalities, and building the trust and credibility that support long-term career success.
Wednesday, September 23
Coffee & Canines
9–11 a.m. | McNeil Building, 2nd Floor Atrium | Penn Postdocs
Relax, unwind, and recharge with coffee, a light breakfast, and certified therapy dogs from Comfort Caring Canines. Sponsored by Proteintech. NPAW giveaways will also be available for pickup.
Annual NPAW Philly Treats Social
2–4 p.m. | Curie Boulevard, Stellar-Chance/Blockley Hall | All Postdocs
Celebrate NPAW with some Philly favorites, including ice cream, water ice, and pretzels, while connecting with postdocs from across Penn and CHOP.
Rain Location: Kelly Research Building (KRB), 14th Floor
Thursday, September 24
Virtual Postdoc Networking Event
9:30 a.m.–noon | Virtual via Handshake | All Postdocs
Connect one-on-one with former Penn and CHOP postdocs who have transitioned into a variety of career paths. Each conversation is a 20-minute, one-on-one virtual meeting, and participants may register for up to three sessions.
Wellness Break Chair Massages
10 a.m.–2 p.m. | College Hall 214 | Penn Postdocs
Step away from work and recharge with a chair massage designed to help you de-stress and prioritize your well-being.
First come, first served. No registration required.
Annual NPAW Barbeque
4–6 p.m. | CHOP Colket Translational Research Building Lobby | All Postdocs
Enjoy great food and good conversation at this annual NPAW tradition. Penn and CHOP postdocs are invited to relax, connect, and celebrate together. NPAW giveaways will also be available for pickup.
Friday, September 25
Wellness Break Chair Massages
10 a.m.–2 p.m. | John Morgan Building M100 | Penn Postdocs
Take another opportunity to step away from work, de-stress, and recharge before NPAW comes to a close.
First come, first served. No registration required.
2026 NPAW Closing Reception
4–6 p.m. | Penn Live Arts, Class of 1994 Studio Lounge | All Postdocs
Wrap up NPAW 2026 with fellow postdocs and members of the Penn-CHOP postdoctoral community. Enjoy food, drinks, conversation, and an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of postdocs across our community.
Who Can Participate?
NPAW events are intended for Penn postdocs, BPP-affiliated postdocs at The Wistar Institute, Monell Chemical Senses Center, and Swarthmore College, and CHOP postdocs, unless otherwise indicated in the individual event listing.
Some events are limited to Penn postdocs or other specific audiences. Please review the individual event listing for eligibility and registration information.
Celebrate Postdocs Across Penn
National Postdoc Appreciation Week is also an opportunity for schools, centers, departments, faculty, mentors, and research groups to recognize the contributions of their postdocs and encourage their participation in events throughout the week.
Schools, centers, and departments planning their own NPAW activities are welcome to share their events with OPA for inclusion in our NPAW calendar and communications. Please indicate whether your event is specific to your school, center, or department or open to the broader postdoctoral community.
About National Postdoc Appreciation Week
2026 marks the 17th annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Since 2009, the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) has sponsored National Postdoc Appreciation Day/Week to recognize the significant contributions postdoctoral scholars make to research and discovery. In 2010, the week was officially recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives, and institutions across the United States and around the world now participate.
All Penn postdoctoral scholars receive complimentary membership in the National Postdoctoral Association, providing access to professional development programs, resources, and member benefits throughout the year.
View the OPA Calendar for individual event details, registration information, and additional NPAW activities.