Mentoring Postdocs

Mentorship is central to the success and high-quality experience GW provides all postdocs. Postdocs come to GW to work under the supervision and guidance of a faculty mentor who is qualified to coach and help develop the career of their mentee. Mentors provide critical guidance as postdocs take on additional responsibilities and develop research and professional skills.

Highlighted Resources

• AAMC Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors: The AAMC created the compact to assist in initiating conversations around the postdoctoral trainee and mentor relationship. This publication also highlights core tenets of postdoctoral training. 
• National Postdoctoral Association Mentoring: The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) has put together links to support mentors and postdoctoral trainees to help optimize this experience. 
• Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research: The Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) provides resources and evidence-based training to support and foster strong research mentoring relationships throughout all career stages.  
• National Research Mentoring Network: The National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) provides a network for implementing and disseminating innovative, evidence-based best practices to improve the mentoring relationships.
• American Psychological Association Introduction to Mentoring: A general guide created by a task force for mentors and trainees who are interested in engaging in professional developmental relationships.
• The Science of Effective Mentoring in STEMM: Podcasts, publications, and an interactive mentoring guide from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.

• GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences Mentorship Challenges: The GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) Research Workforce Development Office has put together a helpful guide to challenging scenarios mentors and postdoctoral trainees may face during their appointment and how to successfully navigate if such situations arise. 

Additional Resources

• Resources for Early-Career Scientists (Chapter 5: Mentoring and Being Mentored), Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• Mentoring (ORI HHS)

Mentoring Plans for Sponsored Projects

Some sponsors, including NIH and NSF, require individualized mentorship plans as part of any project proposal where funds will be used to support postdoctoral researchers. NSF mentoring activities template can be found at NSF page and the NIH grant mentoring Information is located at NIH page.