Current Postdocs

Postdoctoral Association

OPI collaborates with the UMN Postdoctoral Association (PDA), a postdoc-led organization that exists to improve the quality of the postdoctoral experience and to facilitate the long-term success of University postdocs. 

Members meet regularly to discuss issues relevant to the postdoc community and organize community-building events. 

Join the PDA’s email listserv to get updates on events, opportunities, and changes in postdoc policies

The PDA also has a Slack channel to help you connect with other UMN postdocs (this requires a umn.edu account)

National Postdoctoral Association

As the national voice of the postdoctoral community, the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) represents both postdocs and their institutions. Join the NPA to engage with other postdocs and higher education administrators, pursue volunteer opportunities, as well as participate in a range of service activities to advocate on behalf of postdocs and develop your personal and professional networks. Each March, the NPA hosts an annual meeting that brings together thousands of postdocs and postdoc-focused administrators.

UMN’s Organizational Membership with the NPA includes free affiliate membership for postdocs and graduate students when you register with your institutional email address as the primary or alternate address to receive your membership.

National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week (NPAW)

The Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives (OPI) joins institutions and research centers across the country to celebrate postdocs and their invaluable contributions during NPAW, a National Postdoctoral Association-sponsored initiative that takes place annually over the third week of September. Learn more about this week's events through OPI'S NPAW page.

The Post

The Post is a monthly e-newsletter catered to UMN’s postdoctoral community. It includes career and professional development resources, information on internal and external funding opportunities, service opportunities, as well as the latest from OPI and the Postdoctoral Association.

All UMN Postdocs are automatically subscribed to The Post, but Faculty and Staff who work closely with Postdocs are encouraged to subscribe using the form available on the OPI homepage. 

To submit content to The Post please email [email protected].

Professional Development Workshops

OPI co-hosts and promotes workshops and trainings sponsored by the Graduate School and other campus offices. Please check out our workshop offerings for Fall 2024!

Office of Equity and Diversity Education Program

The Office for Equity and Diversity’s (OED) Education Program offers virtual workshops for University of Minnesota departments, programs, and units, as well as community organizations. The OED Education Program also facilitates the Equity Certificate Hosted Online (ECHO) program, which is free for faculty, staff, and students at the University. To receive updates on OED’s  offerings, subscribe to the OED Education Program Google group.

Center for Educational Innovation 

The Center for Educational Innovation (CEI) provides research-informed, transformative, and inclusive leadership in teaching and learning across the University of Minnesota system.

August Teaching Enrichment Series

Through the August Teaching Enrichment Series, you can participate in a wide selection of teaching-focused webinars focused on strategies that you can implement in your courses immediately.

Early Career Teaching & Learning Program

Continue to enhance your teaching skills by participating in the Early Career Teaching and Learning Program within the first five years you are an instructor or faculty member. Through discussion, practice, and reflection in cross-disciplinary large and small group interactions, you'll work to deepen your understanding of student learning and broaden teaching strategies with your courses in mind. 

Preparing Future Faculty Program

GRAD 8101 and GRAD 8200 of the Preparing Future Faculty Program offer the tools for you to teach effectively in higher education. Fall courses are offered in person, hybrid, and fully online. PFF offers cost-saving registration options for postdocs.

Teaching Assistant and Postdoc Professional Development Program Badge

The Teaching Assistant and Postdoc Professional Development Program Badge from the CEI is evidence that you have invested in teaching-related professional development. Those who complete the program will explore pedagogical topics pertaining to course design, delivery strategies, assessment and assignments, learning sciences, and contemporary issues impacting learners.

Global Programs and Strategy Alliance

As the central international office for the University of Minnesota system, the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance drives the University’s global strategy and connects faculty, staff, and students with the resources and expertise needed for personal and professional success.

Teaching in Globally Diverse Classes (TiGDC) Certificate

Self-paced, instructor-led virtual webinars offered year-around. Each webinar can be taken independently or as part of the Teaching in Globally Diverse Classes Certificate (TiGDC). A digital badge is also available.

*Participants must be current UMN faculty, instructors, staff, and teaching assistants.
*Completion of the certificate program will take around 25-35 hours, depending on the elective webinars you choose.

Minnesota English Language Program

The Minnesota English Language Program (MELP) at the University of Minnesota offers courses and resources that serve a variety of learners. MELP also offers testing and a wide range of learning resources for multilingual University students and the faculty and staff who support them.

The New Faculty Program

The New Faculty Program (NFP) offers multiple opportunities for tenure-track, contract faculty, and postdocs to jump start their careers at the University. The program helps faculty build their capacities in research, teaching, community engagement, career advancement, and leadership.

Pedagogical Innovations Journal Club

Pedagogical Innovations Journal Club was created to help busy instructors from across disciplines keep up with some of the latest innovations, ideas, and research published in pedagogical journals. Each month’s discussion focuses on a recently-published, teaching- or learning-related article. The open forum provides opportunities for participants to discuss the practical implications of the research findings with others. Each session begins with a brief synopsis of that month’s featured reading. You do not have to read the article to benefit from participation.

National Postdoctoral Association

As the national voice of the postdoctoral community, the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) represents both postdocs and their institutions.

UMN’s Organizational Membership with the NPA includes free affiliate membership for postdocs and graduate students when you register with your institutional email address as the primary or alternate address to receive your membership.

NPA Career Center

The NPA Career Center is your one-stop career resource center to prepare you for your next opportunity.

NPA SmartSkills

NPA SmartSkills are free, virtual courses for postdocs who are members of the NPA. Monthly classes are taught by experts and focus on building skills critical to career and personal success. Postdocs that attend 10 out of 12 sessions live will receive a certificate of completion.

Postdoc Academy

The Postdoc Academy is a comprehensive online and in-person program built on the National Postdoctoral Association core competencies to support skill development throughout postdoc training, from orientation to next career step.

SPHERE Community of Practice

The SPHERE Community of Practice is a multi-institutional collaboration that focuses on the experiences and needs of postdocs in non-biomedical disciplines.

SPHERE Community, Engineering

The SPHERE Engineering Group focuses on collating fellowship and funding opportunities for engineering postdocs. We also engage with professional societies in engineering to develop tailored professional development resources specifically designed for engineering postdocs.

SPHERE Community, Humanities

The SPHERE Humanities Group focuses on developing and identifying resources to support postdoctoral scholars in the humanities.

SPHERE Community of Practice, Social Sciences

The SPHERE Social Sciences Group focuses on collating fellowship and funding opportunities for postdocs in the social sciences. We also promote research dissemination and discipline-specific and career-focused opportunities.

Career Development Awards

The Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives sponsors career development awards to promote conference presentations and networking opportunities for our postdocs. These awards are administered by the University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Association. For details on applications, eligibility, and award cycles, please visit the PDA’s Career Development Awards website.

Postdoctoral Association, University of Minnesota

The UMN PDA is a postdoc-led organization that works to improve the quality of the postdoctoral experience and facilitate the long-term success of University postdocs.

The PDA holds monthly Steering Committee Meetings that are open to all postdocs to attend. For those interested in leadership opportunities, PDA elections are held each summer. To learn more and get involved, review the information on the PDA website or email [email protected] to connect with PDA leadership.

National Postdoctoral Association

If you are interested in volunteering, fill out the form on the NPA’s volunteer page to join an NPA membership committee or task force. Volunteers can choose from a range of committees dedicated to advocacy, diversity, outreach, development, annual meeting planning, and international postdocs. This is also a great way to meet, learn from, and network with other postdocs and higher education administrators across the country.

SPHERE Community of Practice

The SPHERE Community of Practice is a multi-institutional collaboration that focuses on the experiences and needs of postdocs in non-biomedical disciplines. If you are interested in service or leadership opportunities, please complete a general volunteer interest form or explore options in individual subgroups in Engineering, Humanities, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences.

OLLI, University of Minnesota

OLLI is part of the University’s College of Continuing and Professional Studies and belongs to a national network of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes established by the Bernard Osher Foundation. The OLLI community is composed of mature adults aged 50+, all of whom are active lifelong learners who value high-quality noncredit courses.

OLLI Volunteers

OLLI offers courses—both in person and online—during four distinct terms for a total of nearly 300 courses annually. Visit the OLLI Courses page where you will find our most recent course guide as well as an archive of guides from the past few years.

OLLI Scholars

Each year, up to 20 University of Minnesota (UMN) graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are selected to develop curricula and teach OLLI courses in their respective areas of expertise. Those who are selected to be OLLI Scholars will receive a $1,500 stipend to prepare and present a single seven-week. Applications are due in May for the upcoming academic year.

Minnesota Academy of Science

The Minnesota Academy of Science is a statewide nonprofit with a plethora of programming for K-12 and undergraduate students, educators, and schools. If you are interested in short- or longer-term volunteer and networking opportunities, visit their website to learn more about programs such as the Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium, the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair, Minnesota Statewide Science Bowls, the Science Salon, as well as the Fostering Opportunities & Relationships in STEM Education (FORSE).

From Prison Cells to PhD

Prison-to-Professionals (P2P) focuses on changing the lives of people with criminal convictions through advocacy, mentoring, and policy change.

Volunteers can serve as mentors, pen pals, engage in advocacy and policy work, etc. Visit P2P’s volunteer page and check out their social media for announcements on virtual workshops, job fairs, etc.

Establishing a Successful Advisor-Advisee Relationship

We advocate and encourage best practices in advising among faculty and postdocs.

Excellence in Advising Award

Advising is a critical area of focus for the University and a key ingredient for a successful postdoc experience. Each year, the Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives recognizes two outstanding faculty members who demonstrate excellence in their advising of Postdoctoral Fellows and Associates with the Faculty Award for Excellence in Postdoctoral Advising.

Individual Development Plan

We also encourage all postdocs to develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP). A well-crafted IDP serves as both a planning tool to identify research and career goals, and a structure for communicating them to mentors, advisors, and future employers. Explore an example of a postdoctoral IDP.

Additional IDP Resources

ChemIPD is a career-planning tool for chemical scientists

ImaginePhD is a free online career exploration and planning tool for PhD students and postdoctoral scholars in the humanities and social sciences.

myIDP is another free resource to support career-planning for scientists.

UMN Postdoc Awards

The University of Minnesota is proud to train, support and promote its postdocs, who are active members of the University's Twin Cities and Duluth communities. To recognize the invaluable contributions of postdocs to the University’s mission, the Postdoctoral Association recognizes outstanding contributions in five areas: (1) Service to our Academic Community; (2) Outreach and Communication with Non-academic Community; (3) Impactful Research; (4) Teaching and Mentoring; and, (5) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in our Academic Community.

The award cycle begins in late-July, with nominations typically due in early August. Please visit the PDA website for more information and to learn about previous awardees.

Excellence in Advising Award

Advising is a critical area of focus for the University and a key ingredient for a successful postdoc experience. Each year, the Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives recognizes two outstanding faculty members who demonstrate excellence in their advising of Postdoctoral Fellows and Associates with the Faculty Award for Excellence in Postdoctoral Advising.

President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship

The University of Minnesota has joined the University of California Partnership for Faculty Diversity to invite outstanding scholars interested in faculty and research careers.

The University of Minnesota is pleased to offer postdoctoral fellowship opportunities in disciplines represented at the university coupled with faculty mentoring, professional development, and academic networking opportunities. For more information on the President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP) at UMN, click here.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) S&T Policy Fellowships

The AAAS Science & Technology Fellowships (STPF) are an excellent way for doctoral-level scientists, social scientists and engineers to see their expertise impact society. Applications will be accepted for the executive, legislative and judicial branches as well as the Roger Revelle Fellowship in Global Stewardship. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens. Applications are due annually in November.

American Association of University Women

Pursuing academic work or leading community projects? See if there is an American Association of University Women (AAUW) fellowship or grant that matches your academic or professional goals! To confirm your eligibility and deadlines, review the application instructions for each opportunity carefully.

American Council of Learned Societies

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), a nonprofit federation of 81 scholarly associations, is the leading private US institution supporting scholars in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. ACLS offers programs that promote research across all fields of the humanities and interpretive social sciences. To confirm your eligibility and deadlines, review the application instructions for each opportunity carefully.

American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship

The American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship is designed to enhance the training of postdoctoral applicants who are not yet independent. The applicant must be embedded in an appropriate investigative group with the mentorship, support, and relevant scientific guidance of a research mentor. To confirm your eligibility, review the program information. Applications are due annually in early September.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants, both Canadian and internationally, who will positively contribute to Canada’s economic, social, and research-based growth. Applications are due annually in mid-September, but you must begin early to confirm host institution affiliation.

Council on Library and Information Resources Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers recent Ph.D. graduates the chance to develop research tools, resources, and services while exploring new career opportunities. CLIR Postdoctoral Fellows work on projects that forge and strengthen connections among collections, digital technologies, and current research.

Fulbright Awards for Non-US Scholars

Check out program-specific information for the Fulbright Awards for Non-US Scholars. Programs include the Visiting Scholars and Scholars-in-Residence programs, as well as enrichment and outreach programs.

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards for Postdoctoral and Early Career Applicants

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards provide recently graduated scholars an opportunity to conduct research and receive professional training abroad. Awards may involve limited teaching. Postdoctoral Awards are open to scholars who will have received a doctoral degree (Ph.D., J.D., M.D., Ed.D., etc.) within five to seven years of the fellowship start date. To confirm your eligibility and deadlines, review the application instructions for each opportunity carefully. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens.

German Academic Exchange Service

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a plethora of short- and long-term opportunities to live and work in Germany. Use DAAD’s database and refine your search for postdocs and your individual circumstances. Deadlines and eligibility vary based on programs.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Postdoc Fellows Program

The NIH Postdoc Fellows Program is for recent doctoral degree recipients interested in further developing their research skills while exploring research and research-related careers. Recent doctoral recipients with experience in biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, physics, computer science, bioinformatics, and other health-related fields are invited to apply. Applications are accepted year-round and are open to international candidates as well.

National Science Foundation - Funding for Postdoctoral Researchers

The National Science Foundation offers postdoctoral fellows paid opportunities to expand their skills and knowledge in science and engineering. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents.

Scientists in Parks Fellowship

In partnership with the National Park Foundation (NPF), the National Park Service (NPS) continues the Scientists in Parks (SIP) Fellowship Program that was established to support advanced postdoc science researchers who address urgent natural resource challenges facing national parks.

SIP Fellows will be funded for three years, which will provide time to conduct innovative research, and work closely with NPS employees and other natural resource partners. The next application period will open in Fall 2026 for positions starting Summer 2027.

David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program

The David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program seeks to develop future world leaders and entrepreneurs who are successful at linking conservation science and application. Smith Fellowships provide two years of postdoctoral support to outstanding early-career conservation scientists.

2025 Smith Fellows Request for Proposals Announced! Deadline for receipt of application materials is September 30, 2024. View Proposal Guidelines here. 

Washington Research Foundation

The Washington Research Foundation (WRF) supports up to 12 new postdoctoral scientists each year at research institutions in Washington state. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. and have a doctoral degree in a discipline related to natural sciences, engineering, computer or information science and mathematics. In addition, applicants cannot have completed more than two years of postdoctoral training at the time of submitting their applications. Applications are due annually in late June.

UMN Funding Opportunities

The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) provides approximately $5 million in funding and awards annually to support and nurture the University’s systemwide research enterprise.

Technology & Commercialization

The Industry Funding and Partnership Opportunities list is compiled by Technology Commercialization staff. For more information, contact Leza Besemann at [email protected]. 

Corporate Engagement Center

UMN's Corporate Engagement Center has developed a comprehensive guide for researchers interested in working with industry to advance their ideas and explore partnership opportunities in areas that align with their expertise. Building Successful Industry Partnerships covers a range of topics, including types of industry partnerships, funding opportunities, industry expectations, and intellectual property considerations. It also outlines the key documents and agreements often required for industry partnerships, including confidentiality agreements (NDAs). For more information contact [email protected].

MN Institutional Research & Academic Career Development Award

The Minnesota IRACDA Program is an NIH-funded collaboration between the University of Minnesota and the nearby community colleges of Normandale Community College and North Hennepin Community College. This program provides a diverse cohort of recent PhD scholars with rigorous scientific research training, instruction, mentoring, experience in teaching, as well as career development guidance. This program enables scholars to transition to tenure-track faculty positions and research-related employment upon completion of their fellowship.

UMN Washington Update

The UMN Washington Update is a weekly digest of congressional updates and funding opportunities prepared by Lewis-Burke Associates.

Limited Extramural Funding 

The Limited Extramural Funding list features opportunities that require university coordination. For more information or to list a new opportunity, contact [email protected].

Private Foundation Funding

The Corporate and Foundation Relations Private Foundation RFP list includes a wide range of funding opportunities that are currently available from private funders and foundations.

Charitable Grants Resource Hub

Charitable Grants Resource Hub helps U faculty and staff secure philanthropic funding.

Grant Forward

Grant Forward is a funding opportunity database and recommendation service built by academics for researchers.

Foundation Directory Online (FDO)

FDO offers profiles and recently awarded grants from over 80,000 foundations.

Pivot

Pivot is a funding search tool that pulls information from nonprofit, for profit, federal, private, national, international and other funders. UMN postdocs are able to use Pivot as a way to conduct targeted, customizable searches for the most relevant funding. 

Affiliated users can create personal accounts at https://pivot.proquest.com/ using UMN email addresses to save searches and receive alerts.

Sponsored Programs Information Network

Sponsored Programs Information Network (SPIN) is a database with detailed information about thousands of federal, non-federal, and international funding opportunities.

Create a personal profile by clicking on the "Need to create a new profile?" link to save searches and filter configurations and to activate SMARTS email grant notifications.

Strategic Partnerships and Research Collaborative (SPARC)

SPARC engages researchers across disciplines in the US and globally to establish new large-scale programs. Supported by OVPR and GPS Alliance.

University Libraries

The Libraries help researchers connect to funding and grants through curated resources.

OPI Jobs Listserv

Subscribe to OPI’s new opt-in job listserv to receive information on opportunities of interest to postdocs, including job postings and boards, career expos, as well as any timely webinars or events not included in OPI’s monthly newsletter, The Post. Emails will be limited to a maximum of one per week.

Visit My GoogleGroups, and look for “Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives - Jobs Listserv” and request to join! Or, email us at [email protected], and we will add you!

Current Openings at UMN

Open postdoctoral positions at UMN are periodically posted on the Human Resources website. Begin by creating an account to save opportunities of interest, manage your applications and materials, and apply to positions of interest.

Research Centers & Institutes

To aid your search for a postdoc opportunity, explore the over 300 research, education, and outreach centers and institutes at UMN.

Big10 Postdoc Opportunities Board

The Big 10 Postdoc Opportunities Board is a free resource to help you find a postdoc position where you will thrive and succeed. The board features positions at 17 world-leading institutions, including UMN, across ten different states.

NPA Career Center

The National Postdoctoral Association’s (NPA) Career Center includes a comprehensive listing of job opportunities, a career planning portal, as well as an impressive collection of career and professional development resources to prepare for your next steps!

Center for the Integration of Research, Technology and Learning Job Board

The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) seeks to transform higher education through implementing innovative, culturally responsive pedagogy that benefits all learners. The CIRTL Job Board includes positions across higher education, including as faculty or staff. 

Chronicle of Higher Education Jobs

The Chronicle of Higher Education Jobs site is a great place to find faculty and staff postings, including executive leadership positions and jobs outside of academia. You can also set up job alerts, upload your resume, as well as read up on a plethora of resources to advance your career.

Council on Library and Information Resources and Digital Library Federation Job Board

The CLIR and DLF Job Board includes postings for those interested in library and information sciences, archive management, preservation, digital scholarship, user experience, software development and management, as well as related postdocs and leadership positions.

Early Career Researchers Platform

ECRcentral is a platform created by early career researchers (ECRs) for ECRs to find and discuss opportunities, share experiences, mentor peers, and create impact through community engagement.

From Prison Cells to PhDs Job Board

The From Prison Cells to PhDs job board may be of interest for those looking to advance their careers in higher education, prison education, non-profit work, social justice, and everything in between.

Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) Jobs

Use the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) Jobs site to search thousands of jobs and access career development resources, including articles and eBooks.

HigherEd Jobs

The HigherEd Jobs site includes thousands of postings across academia, including faculty, staff, and executive leadership positions. HigherEd also includes numerous career resources, such as job search tips, diversity resources, salary data, as well as a HigherEdJobs Podcast.

Minority Postdocs Jobs & Opportunities

MinorityPostdoc publishes postdoctoral & professional job/opportunity advertisements for all employment sectors: academia, industry, government, non-profit, etc.

Chemical Engineering - Faculty Openings

Visit the Chemical Engineering Faculty Openings spreadsheet for tenure-track (or tenured) positions in chemical engineering at four-year academic institutions and for positions focused on teaching.

Materials Science & Engineering - Faculty Job Board

Housed on the University Materials Council platform, the Materials Science and Engineering job board includes faculty and temporary positions organized by posting date.

Nature Careers

Check out the hundreds of postings on Nature’s careers site for STEM opportunities.

Science Careers

Search job postings in Science & Technology on the Science Careers website.

Postdoctoral Handbook

OPI’s Postdoctoral Handbook includes critical resources and information for postdocs as they navigate life on-campus and off.

International Scholar and Student Services

For international postdocs, International Scholar and Student Services (ISSS) is your resource for any questions related to your visa, maintaining your status, travel requirements, information on dependents, as well as pathways to permanent residence.

In addition, ISSS’s website offers resources to support you with the practicalities of living in Minnesota, including housing, banking, safety, transportation, as well as climate and clothing questions.

For individualized support, contact the relevant ISSS team.

Postdoctoral Association, University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Association (PDA) has put together a comprehensive listing of resources dedicated to supporting international postdocs.

Minnesota English Language Program, University of Minnesota

For speakers of English as a second language, the Minnesota English Language Program (MELP) at the University of Minnesota offers courses and resources that serve a variety of learners. MELP also offers testing and a wide range of learning resources for multilingual University students and the faculty and staff who support them.

National Postdoctoral Association

Check out the National Postdoctoral Association’s (NPA) resources for helpful information and toolkits to enhance the experience of international postdocs.

Health and wellness are critical to achieving the kind of balance that leads to strong, creative work and healthy boundaries around work/life balance. The University makes available to postdocs the services and resources they need to attend to a holistic range of health and wellness needs.

Boynton Health

Boynton Health offers a comprehensive range of clinics available to postdocs with participating health plans. With locations on the East Bank and St. Paul campuses, Boynton is a convenient option that can meet many of your health needs (though postdocs may of course opt to receive health services off-campus). Boynton offers the following services through its clinics: primary care, women’s health, sexual health, STI testing, dental clinic, eye clinic, HIV testing/counseling, immunizations, physical therapy, nutritional support, transgender health, pharmacy, travel, and tobacco cessation coaching. 

Boynton Mental Health Clinic

Boynton Mental Health Clinic, with locations on both the East Bank and St. Paul campuses, offers supportive services to postdocs. These include individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, group therapy, crisis consultation, medication assessment and management, social work help, eating disorder services, alcohol and chemical health services, and ADD/ADHD treatment. Please be sure to check with your provider about insurance coverage when making an appointment.

UReturn, Disability Resource Center, Office of Equity and Diversity

A division of the Disability Resource Center (DRC), UReturn is the office designated to serve all employees (including faculty and staff) with any disability or health condition requiring accommodations or workstation adjustments. UReturn obtains and confidentially maintains medical documents, certifies eligibility for services, recommends workstation adjustments or reasonable accommodations, and develops plans for the provision of these accommodations and adjustments for employees with illness or injury. 

Mental Health Collective of Black, Indigenous People and People of Color (BIPOC)

The Diversity Liaison Counselor and other BIPOC staff and trainees partner with the Mental Health Collective of BIPOC. This is a cross-campus collaboration formed to create a radical healing space to foster conversations around the topic of Mental Health and Wellbeing in BIPOC communities. The Mental Health Collective acknowledges that many of the current resources/services at the University of Minnesota fall within a traditional White, western mental health framework, and it strives to disrupt that model. The Collective is open to students, faculty, and staff who self-identify as Black, Indigenous and/or Peoples-of-color at the University.

Family Resources

The Office of Human Resources has a dedicated page to support employees and their families. Family Resources includes information in several areas, including medical and mental health, leaves of absence, lactation/breastfeeding, childcare, as well as support for caregivers.

Lactation Resources

Breastfeeding parents can utilize the Lactation Resources Site to learn more about the UMN Lactation Accommodations Policy and locations of public lactation sites. For more information or to get involved in advocacy for breastfeeding parents, visit the Lactation Advocacy Committee.

The Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing 

The Bakken Center enriches health and wellbeing by providing exemplary interprofessional education, conducting rigorous research, delivering innovative engagement programs, and advancing innovative models of care. The Center’s mission is to advance the health and wellbeing of individuals, organizations, and communities through integrative health and healing. Postdocs can take advantage of the many free workshops, retreats, and seminars the Center offers.

University Recreation and Wellness 

University Recreation and Wellness serves the greater University community by enriching the campus experience and encouraging lifelong wellbeing. URW is driven to developing leaders, fostering supportive relationships, and inspiring active living through recreation and wellness. It models a welcoming and supportive environment by promoting a culture of inclusion, respect, and wellbeing through education and shared experiences. This office runs the various campus gyms (RecWell Center, Cooke Hall, St. Paul Campus Gym, Pool, Field House, Climbing Wall, etc.) available to postdocs for a fee, and it also hosts several fitness classes and organized health and wellness events.

Employee Assistance Program

The University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides cost-free confidential professional consultation and referral services to address any personal or work concern that may be affecting your wellbeing. Employees covered by the UPlan and their immediate family members can request consultation and referral services. The program is available to all employees on all system campuses. Professional consultation is available by phone or in-person. EAP services are provided by Lyra Health. Email [email protected] or call 877-295-8939 to schedule an appointment. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week for counseling or crisis services. 

Employee Benefits

The University of Minnesota Employee Benefits Office is also available to discuss questions you may have about your benefits, including, but not limited to, medical plan coverage, disability insurance, and retirement plans. You may call 612-624-8647 or 800-756-2363 to speak with a representative, or email questions to [email protected].

Employee Assistance Program

The University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides cost-free confidential professional consultation and referral services to address any personal or work concern that may be affecting your wellbeing. EAP supports postdoc associates (9546) with a range of work or personal concerns, including: personal, interpersonal, and work relationships; conflict resolution; adjustment to grief/loss or change; coping with stress; mental and chemical health issues. Professional consultation is available by phone or in-person. EAP services are provided by Lyra Health. Email [email protected] or call 877-295-8939 to schedule an appointment. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week for counseling or crisis services

Employee Benefits

The University of Minnesota Employee Benefits Office is also available to discuss questions you may have about your benefits, including, but not limited to, medical plan coverage, disability insurance, and retirement plans. You may call 612-624-8647 or 800-756-2363 to speak with a representative, or email questions to [email protected].

Regents Tuition Benefit Program

The Regents Tuition Benefit Program covers a portion of tuition costs for eligible University of Minnesota employees enrolled in University of Minnesota credit-bearing courses. Postdoctoral Associates (9546) are eligible for coverage of 75% of the tuition cost for courses covered under the Regents Scholarship Program. For more information about eligible courses and qualifying staff appointments, or to download a request form, read the Regent's policy on the University of Minnesota Regents Tuition Benefit Program Program.

Student Conflict Resolution Center

The Student Conflict Resolution Center offers confidential, impartial, and informal conflict resolution services to postdocs who are experiencing campus-based problems or concerns. Contact Finn Schneider ([email protected] or 612-626-0689) to schedule a confidential conversation.

The Office for Conflict Resolution

The Office for Conflict Resolution provides both formal and informal conflict resolution services to non-bargaining unit University faculty, staff and students who are experiencing employment-related conflicts. You may contact OCR at (612) 624-1030 or email [email protected].

Equal Opportunity and Title IX

Equal Opportunity and Title IX - acts as a neutral party to advise individuals and departments about perceived, existing and potential discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, retaliation, and potential violations of the policy against nepotism through investigation, consultation and education. For more information, call 612-624-9547 or email them at [email protected].