Prospective Postdocs

Considering Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt offers a thriving, but more intimate academic community which includes around 500 postdocs across Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. If you are considering Vanderbilt as the place for your postdoctoral experience, you can utilize this page to explore available positions within VU and VUMC, and familiarize yourself with benefits available to postdoctoral fellows, as well as the Nashville area.

Postdoctoral Life at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Campus

Campus Life at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association

Popsicles for National Postdoc Appreciation Week, 2022

At Vanderbilt, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is proud to have an entirely postdoc-operated organization that helps new and current postdocs network with one another and participate in postdoc-focused events throughout the year. Formed in 1998, the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) serves as a platform to bring together and support the Vanderbilt postdoctoral community. All Vanderbilt-affiliated postdoctoral fellows and trainees (VU and VUMC) are welcome to participate in the VPA.

Incoming postdocs can connect with current postdocs before arriving on campus through the VPA Buddy Program. Find out more and sign up here.

Life in Nashville

Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, and has transformed into a booming hub for many major industries. Proudly nicknamed “The Friendliest City”, Nashville was named National Geographic’s #1 travel destination in the world in June 2022. Below, you will find a link where you can review some resource letters specific to postdocs that compile various recommendations for life in Nashville, including events, food and drink spots, indoor/outdoor activities, and resources for parents and potential parents regarding leave and childcare within the Vanderbilt community.

VPA Resources

Cost of Living

An Introduction to Nashville

Current Opportunities

Vanderbilt is committed to providing a meaningful, robust experience for postdocs. Click here for a list of currently available postdoctoral opportunities.

Postdocs interested in applying for a specific position should contact the faculty mentor directly.

Visit our Funding and Job Opportunities page for information on national conferences, funding, job search links, and external position announcements for postdocs.

Appointment and Verifications

The appointment process begins at the department level. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will send an appointment letter for the postdoc candidate to sign. This will begin the verifications process.

All postdocs must complete the background clearance (which includes criminal clearance and educational verification) and any work authorization before new hire paperwork can be completed.

Any questions or concerns about the verification processes should be directed to OPA@vanderbilt.edu.

Verifications Process

  • Background Check

    Vanderbilt policy requires postdocs to complete a background check, which includes degree verification (if the degree has already been conferred), prior to employment. OPA (VU) or the department (VUMC) works to initiate a background check with HR. Background checks must be completed before the postdoc can begin their position, and under no circumstances can a postdoc start before they have been cleared.

  • Education Verification

    Part of our verifications process at Vanderbilt is to ensure that the appointee has completed their terminal degree. These processes look different between VU- and VUMC-appointed postdocs.

    Both VU-and VUMC-appointed postdocs:

    • If the terminal degree has not been conferred, the incoming postdoc will need to provide a letter stating that they have met all requirements to receive their degree. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will send the incoming postdoc a template letter for completion by their degree-granting institution. 

    For VUMC-appointed postdocs that have an international terminal degree:

    • VUMC HR cannot verify international degrees, so verification must be obtained by an outside company. OPA’s agency for international degree verification reports is TrustForte. TrustForte has a 3-5 day turnaround once documents are received. This is the preferred vendor for quick verification as long as the needed documents are ready for submission.
    • The academic equivalency evaluation is the recommended evaluation through TrustForte.
  • Work Authorization (if applicable)

    If work authorization is needed, please refer to your prospective department for questions regarding visas and costs associated with work authorization.

Orientation & Onboarding

Orientation and onboarding differs between Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

OPA holds VU postdoc orientation on the second Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. All Vanderbilt University Postdocs (9145, 9146, 9136) should attend the OPA orientation. This is a 90-minute orientation to give new postdocs information on the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, resources on campus, and trainee benefits information. Postdocs will be registered by their departmental administrator once cleared to begin.

Postdocs classified as 9145 (VU-employed) are also expected to review VU Human Resources benefits website. New hires can access all benefit information along with vendor presentations at their own pace.

New Postdoc Coffee

New Postdoc Coffee

Postdocs are invited to new postdoc coffee on the fourth Thursday of each month*. This is open to all postdocs on campus, and gives new postdocs a chance to meet administrators, members of the Vanderbilt Postdoc Association, and other postdocs.

*unless otherwise stated

Onboarding Checklists & Additional Information