Online Learning & Memberships
VSPA offers a suite of high-quality virtual resources designed to support the professional growth of our postdocs, visiting scholars, and visiting student researchers. Through our institutional partnerships and subscriptions, affiliates gain free access to outstanding training platforms, career development tools, and research-enhancing opportunities.
Association for Women in Science
VSPA is proud to partner with the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) to offer free membership to UC Berkeley postdocs, visiting scholars, visiting student researchers, and graduate students. We welcome all genders to join our membership! Enjoy career and professional development resources including webinars, publications, scholarships, grants, local chapters, a career center, and an online community. Sign up here.
We also encourage you to join the East Bay AWIS Chapter. Click here to learn more.
National Postdoc Association (NPA)
UC Berkeley postdocs and visiting researchers can join the NPA through VSPA's institutional membership. Learn more about their advocacy efforts to enhance the postdoctoral experience by fostering a culture of inclusive connection. Members also gain access to career opportunities via the job board and can attend national conferences and other events. Register today to access our exclusive membership.
- NPA "A Postdoc's Guide to Mentorship": Understand the importance of mentorship and how to cultivate meaningful mentor-mentee relationships HERE
- NPA SmartSkills: Advance your career with NPA SmartSkills! Free to all NPA postdoc members, this virtual monthly series features expert-led sessions designed to build critical professional and personal skills. Attend 10 out of 12 live classes within the year to earn your certificate of completion.
Nature Masterclass
VSPA is pleased to offer postdocs, visiting scholars and students in the natural sciences access to our subscription to Nature Masterclasses. These practical, interactive workshops and on-demand courses focus on professional development, providing researchers with strategies to enhance their skills, confidence, and careers. Topics include science writing and publishing, peer review, persuasive grant writing, and effective collaboration in research. Register today to access the full array of on-demand modules available.
New York Academy of Sciences
For more than 200 years, the New York Academy of Sciences has supported scientists, engineers, and innovators in building successful careers. Thanks to VSPA, you can access tools, webinars, symposia, and other valuable resources with a free membership. Register today to access exclusive resources.
Considering your next career steps? Have you explored non-academic options? If so, check out The Versatile PhD, an online resource that clarifies non-academic career paths and helps you identify professions that leverage the skills you're developing as a postdoc or graduate student.
As a VSPA affiliate at UC Berkeley, you’ll have access to premium content, including examples of successful resumes and cover letters for post-academic positions, panel discussions, and personal accounts of career journeys after graduate school.
From UC Berkeley:
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity
The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity is a professional development, training, and mentoring community of over 40,000 graduate students, postdocs, and faculty members. Create an account using your berkeley.edu email account to access resources.
Resources include advice on how to write effectively, get your work published, manage your time, and prepare your courses. The Center also offers resources that may be of particular interest to postdocs in underrepresented groups (including women in many fields). Opportunities to start new classes or workshops occur throughout the year. For more information, please view this summary of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (PDF).