Postdoc Impact in 4 is an inaugural research competition modeled after the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT®) and tailored for postdoctoral scholars at the University of Minnesota.
- Competition Information
- Eligibility
- Local Competitions
- Timeline
- Judging Criteria
- Awards
- Resources for Presenters
Competition Information
Postdoc competitors are challenged to communicate the significance of their research and/or pedagogical intervention to a non-specialist audience in a succinct, compelling four-minute presentation that does not rely on either jargon or highly technical language.
This competition not only develops presentation and communication skills and confidence, it serves as yet another opportunity to showcase the invaluable research conducted by our postdoctoral scholars while continuing to strengthen our community.
Collegiate/center/institute competitions will culminate in a University-wide competition on April 9, 2027.
Eligible postdoctoral scholars include Postdoctoral Associates and Postdoctoral Fellows in job codes 9546 and 9560, respectively.
Eligibility
- Postdoctoral scholars and fellows at UMN colleges, centers, and institutes
- Must hold either a Postdoctoral Associate (9546) OR Postdoctoral Fellow (9560) job code
- The competitor must be continuously in one of the abovementioned job codes through April 2027 (at the earliest)
- If selected as a winner and opting to use their award for a Career Development Award, they must still be a postdoctoral researcher (job codes: 9546 or 9560)
- Postdocs may not present on doctoral work–the presentation must focus on current research or teaching as a postdoctoral scholar
- College/center/institute competition winners will advance to the university-wide competition
- Competition organizers must complete this form by 5 PM on Friday, March 12, 2027
- No late submissions will be accepted
Local Competitions
- Colleges (or collegiate groupings), centers and institutes must hold local competitions between October 16, 2026 and March 12, 2027
- Colleges may hold their competitions separately or as a group, but must identify their groupings ahead of time in a written agreement
- If held as a grouped, collegiate-level competition, judges must advance one finalist PER college to the university-wide competition
- In the event that there is only one interested postdoc in a given college, center, or institute, that postdoc will automatically be eligible to compete at the university-wide Postdoc Impact in 4
- Communicate interest via email to Mariam Banahi, Associate Director, OPI ([email protected]) of competition interest with the following information:
- College (or group of colleges), center, or institute holding competition
- anticipated/confirmed date of competition
- estimated number of competitors from each college, center or institute, if available
- After college/collegiate-level rounds, competition organizers must complete this form to submit their highest-ranked finalist by 5 PM on Friday, March 12, 2027
Timeline
Wednesday, October 14 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM | Online
Competitors may take part in an online workshop on presentation skills and science communication offered by Ben Rein, PhD
Open to all Postdoctoral Associates and Postdoctoral Fellows (job codes 9546 and 9560, respectively)
October 16, 2026 - March 12, 2027
Collegiate-level (including centers and institutes) competitions
November 13 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM | Online
Attend the University-wide 3-Minute Thesis Competition!
This is a fantastic opportunity to observe graduate students compete and communicate their research to a non-expert audience
January 2027
Organizers - email Mariam Banahi ([email protected]) to inform OPI that they will be holding a competition or that they have one interested postdoc, who will be the finalist for the college, center, or institute
January - March 2027
Collegiate/Center/Institute finalists will have the opportunity to further hone their presentation and communication skills through one, 30-minute individual consultation with Dr. Rein
Sessions to be arranged by mutual agreement between each finalist and Dr. Rein
March 12, 2027
Collegiate/Center/Institute competition organizers must complete this form to enter their finalist into the university-wide Postdoc Impact in 4 competition
April 9, 2027 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (tentative) | Mississippi Room (3rd Floor), CMU
Postdoc Impact in 4 Competition
All are invited to stay for lunch after the competition and awardees are announced
Judging Criteria
At every level of the competition, competitors will be assessed according to the below criteria and with a focus on audience. Each criterion is equally weighted.
Comprehension and content (5 points)
- Presentation conveyed clear motivation, background, and significance
- Presentation clearly described the research design and/or pedagogical intervention/innovation
- Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes, and impact
Engagement and communication (5 points)
- The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience (e.g. avoided unnecessary jargon and explained discipline-specific terminology and concepts, if used)
- The presenter was engaging and conveyed enthusiasm that appeals to a broad(er) audience
Structure (5 points)
- The presentation follows a clear, logical sequence
- The presentation is well-paced with adequate time dedicated to each point
Slide (5 points)
- The slide is clear and visually engaging
- The slide was incorporated into and enhanced the presentation
Scale
5 = outstanding, no flaws
4 = very good, minor flaws
3 = good, but some flaws
2 = demonstrates competency, but with evident weakness(es)
1 = needs improvement
Half-point steps are allowed
Awards
Awardees will be announced at the conclusion of the competition after a tally of the judges’ scores.
Awardees may choose to receive their award as a cash payment (taxable) OR in the form of a reimbursement-based Career Development Award (must be used while still a postdoctoral researcher (job codes: 9546 or 9560) or by April 8, 2028).
The Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives will work with awardees to answer any questions and disburse funds.
Please note that any PI4 competitor is eligible for the audience-selected ‘People’s Choice’ Award. However, in the case that the Winner or Runner-up is also recognized as the People’s Choice Award, they would not receive a second UMN Swag Bag. Instead, it will be raffled off to an audience member.
Winner
$750.00 & UMN Swag Bag!
Runner-up
$500.00 & UMN Swag Bag!
People’s Choice
UMN Swag Bag!