CAPD has expanded! Learn more about what's available to you in our two locations: Building 7-103 and Building E17-294.

Design your future with CAPD.

Your postdoctoral training is an important time to advance your cutting-edge research and develop a wide range of skills that will prepare you for your next career step. CAPD serves MIT-appointed postdoctoral scholars (fellows and associates) at all points of their career journey from initial exploration to final negotiation. Sign up for an individual advising appointment, attend career and professional development related events, and learn about resources for postdoctoral scholars to help you feel confident and excited for your future.

CAPD resources for MIT postdocs

Advising appointments

Postdocs are eligible for one-on-one career advising appointments with your designated postdoc career advisor, Alex Yen. Get support for career exploration and planning, application materials, interviews and job talks, salary negotiations, and any other career-related questions or concerns.

To book career advising appointments, you need to make a Handshake account, and then you can find a time that works best for you to discuss the career and professional development needs on your mind.

Programs for postdocs

Postdocs can take part in a wide variety of career and professional development offerings organized by CAPD, many of which are postdoc-only or PhD/postdoc-focused.

Don’t know where to start? Use CAPD’s annual postdoc programs page as a resource that helps postdocs see when and what programs and events are offered. In addition, don’t forget to refer to the MIT PDA’s event calendar which includes CAPD’s postdoc-only offerings, postdoc orientation dates, and peer support events.


Signature program: Plan Your Postdoc (PYP)

CAPD has a special, signature program just for early stage postdoctoral scholars! Attend these four focused sessions to help you set goals for your time as a MIT postdoc, integrate timelines and resources, and practice communicating your career and professional development needs

Faculty and industry job market resources

Visit CAPD’s PhD and postdoc application materials page for three key resources: resumes for industry jobs, the faculty job search guide, and the career document library.

These are how-to guides for creating resumes and CVs and example documents from MIT graduates and postdoctoral scholars who landed jobs.


Additional resources for postdocs

As valued members of the MIT and broader research community, postdocs have access to unique resources both within and outside MIT designed to support your professional growth and well-being.

Visit this postdoc-specific resource page to explore internal and external support systems available to you including MIT Postdoctoral Services and the National Postdoc Association.


Application materials and certificate programs for postdocs and PhDs

MIT CAPD’s signature professional development certificate programs are open to PhDs and postdocs. Supported by OVPR and OGE, the research mentoring certificate occurs twice a year, during IAP and the summer; the grant writing certificate occurs during IAP and the beginning of the spring semester.

Research mentoring

The Research Mentoring Certificate (RMC) provides an opportunity for PhDs and postdocs to develop their mentoring skills and grow their practice of productive and inclusive research mentoring.

Close-up of an intricately-woven web of netting.

Grant writing training

The Grant Writing Training Certificate provides training in principles of grant writing and the grant submission process, and will be especially useful for PhD students and postdocs planning for a research-focused faculty career, or research-centered roles in industry.


MIT CAPD’s signature career series for postdocs and PhDs

Faculty Job Search Series

Planning to pursue a faculty career? The Faculty Job Search Series (FJSS) offers a foundational roadmap for preparing for the academic track. FJSS teaches you about the core application package (CV, teaching statement, research statement, and diversity statement), the campus visit, and insights from recent successful faculty hires.

FJSS is open to postdocs and PhDs, and postdocs can sign up for any of these workshops listed in the schedule.

Industry Bound Career Series

The Industry Bound Career Series (IBCS) is open to any postdoc or PhD interested in transitioning into a non-academic career. We lead workshops such as how to translate your CV into a resume, core networking and interviewing skills, and how to negotiate, just to name a few.

Postdocs can sign up for any of these workshops and you can see the IBCS schedule by clicking the button below.


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