Postdoctoral Experience

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) serves as an advocate and central resource for the more than 700 postdoctoral researchers from all 15 colleges at Ohio State. The OPA provides training programs, career development opportunities and events to help the university's postdocs prepare for successful research careers in academia, industry, government and other employment sectors. The Office is a partnership between the Office of Research and the Graduate School.

Key Initiatives

Advocacy

General Policies
Benefits
Conflict Resolution

Professional Development

Fellowship/Grant Writing
Mentoring Plans
Career Path Guidance

Mentorship

Resources
Training
Mentoring Plan Assistance

Increased Fellowships/Funding

Services Provided

Postdoc Orientation
Professional Development Events
Paid National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) Membership
Sponsorship for the NPA Meeting
Ohio State Postdoc-Related Data Collection

Postdoctoral Researcher vs. Postdoctoral Fellow: What's the Difference?

A postdoctoral researcher is an employee of the university in pursuit of continued education and specialized research training and experience.

Postdoctoral researchers:

Typically perform services on a grant or contract awarded to a faculty advisor in exchange for compensation during training
Receive a salary

A postdoctoral fellow is not an employee of the university. They are trainees in pursuit of specialized research and training experiences for their own benefit.

Postdoctoral fellows:

Receive a stipend rather than perform a service in return for compensation
Are supported by a true fellowship or training grant

Learn more

The OPA Team

Noah Weisleder
Director

weisleder.3@osu.edu

Dr. Weisleder is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology at The Ohio State University. Dr. Weisleder has published numerous peer-reviewed publications or book chapters in the fields of muscle and cardiovascular physiology. His research in these areas has been supported by the NIH and several private foundations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation and the National Football League. Additionally, he is an inventor on dozens of US and international patents. He has received a Fellowship from the American Heart Association, a Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institutes of Health and the Kauffman Foundation Outstanding Postdoctoral Entrepreneur Award.

Learn more about Dr. Weisleder and his research interests.

Marcela Hernandez
Administrative Director

hernandez.16@osu.edu

A molecular biologist and biochemist by training, Dr. Hernandez designs and implements programs to enhance retention, and support of postdoctoral scholars including a special focus on those with underrepresented backgrounds. She became a scientist thanks to an excellent PhD mentor who inspired her, trained her, and mentored her. For this reason she is very passionate about mentoring and is working to help the next generation of STEM professionals navigate successfully to rewarding careers.

Learn more about Dr. Hernandez’ professional trajectory.

Fatima Vakil
Program Assistant