Postdoctoral Education
What is a Postdoctoral Scholar?
The purpose of a postdoctoral appointment is to provide recent recipients (normally within the past eight years) of their PhDs or equivalent doctorates with additional research and scholarly training for careers in research or higher education.
The role and status of a postdoctoral scholar should be clearly differentiated from those of a graduate student, full-time technical staff member, or faculty member. At Mizzou, postdoctoral scholars who hold the title “postdoctoral fellow,” are primarily engaged in research, typically in a funded research setting, such as a laboratory. Postdoctoral scholars whose responsibilities are primarily teaching (e.g., teaching 2 3-credit classes each semester) hold the title of “postdoctoral fellow – teaching.” These titles apply regardless of whether the postdoctoral trainee is a salaried employee of the university or a stipend-supported fellow receiving funding directly from a granting agency or through a Mizzou account. Postdoctoral scholars hold appointments of limited duration (typically five years or fewer).
Administrative Support
Administrative responsibilities of the Office of Postdoctoral Education include the establishment of policies, benefits, and services available to postdoctoral scholars, in addition to those provided to all full time non-regular academic appointees at the University of Missouri. The Office of Postdoctoral Education also helps to facilitate campus-wide professional development and awards opportunities for postdoctoral scholars.
Office of Postdoctoral Education
Graduate School (housed in)
University of Missouri
210 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211
Local Calls: 573-882-6311
Toll-Free, Long-Distance: 800-877-6312
Fax number: 1-877-632-6316
Email: postdoc@missouri.edu
Administrative Contacts
Valli Sarveswaran, Ph.D.
Director of Postdoctoral Education
Email: v.sarveswaran@missouri.edu
Lissa Behm-Morawitz, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of the Graduate School
Email: behmmorawitze@missouri.edu
Postdoctoral Handbook
The University of Missouri Postdoctoral Handbook provides an overview of life as a postdoc on our campus. Information on where to find policies, procedures, and resources related to postdoctoral life is included.
Postdoctoral Education Advisory Committee (PEACE)
The Postdoctoral Education Advisory Committee is comprised of MU faculty and leadership with expertise in postdoctoral education, as well as the current Chair of the MU Postdoctoral Association. The committee convenes at least annually to discuss and make recommendations regarding postdoctoral issues and opportunities, and to review applications for the MU Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Awards, MU Postdoctoral Grant Program, and the Preparing Future Faculty – Faculty Diversity (PFFFD) Postdoctoral Program.
- Lissa Behm-Morawitz (Associate Dean of the Graduate School)
- Valli Sarveswaran (Director of Postdoctoral Education)
- Lisa Dorner (Associate Professor, Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis)
- Kimberly Jasmer (Asst Research Professor, Bond Life Sciences Center; Outgoing Chair of MU Postdoctoral Association)
- David D. Kline (Professor, Biomedical Sciences)
- David Mendoza (Associate Professor, Division of Plant Sciences)
- M. Sofia Ortega (Assistant Professor, Division of Animal Sciences)
- Michelle Teti (Associate Professor, Department of Health Sciences)
PostDoc Spotlight
Dr. Skylar King
Drs. Ortega and Lewis featured in SHOW ME MIZZOU
Drs. Hernandez, Fejzula, and Goyes Vallejos
Dr. Fiorella Carlos Chavez
