Chancellor’s Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award

The award recognizes a postdoctoral scholar who:

• Excels in research by displaying intellectual merit, ethical conduct, professional behavior and the ability to demonstrate research innovation and productivity (i.e. scholarly distinctions, publications, presentations, inventions, performances, products, etc.) as well as the nominee’s research having a significant impact on the field and/or society.
• Assumes a leadership role by preparing manuscripts, funding applications, organizing workshops or conferences, and mentorship by advising graduate and undergraduate students.
• Shows a strong service record by volunteering in campus, professional and/or other organizations.
• Supports and fosters equity, diversity and inclusion within their research group, department, institution, community, and/or field through their research, teaching, or service activities.

The nominee must be a UC San Diego Postdoctoral Scholar with a postdoctoral titlecode and at least one year of UC San Diego postdoctoral experience (at time of nomination) under the mentorship of UC San Diego faculty member or Research Scientist. Postdoctoral Scholar may also self-nominate.

• The nomination must include a letter of support from the faculty mentor and a faculty mentor or self-nomination statement, two additional endorsement letters, and signatures from the mentor, endorsers, and the Department Chair. If the postdoctoral scholar is nominated by their faculty mentor, the letter of support will suffice as the nomination statement. There is no limit as to how many postdoctoral scholars can be nominated by a faculty or per department. However, if the faculty mentor nominates more than one, they should list the number of postdoctoral scholars that they mentor and how the nominee(s) rank among them.
• Nomination statement should be 1-2 pages and demonstrate the postdoctoral scholar’s excellence in research at UC San Diego and contribution to the betterment of society based on the supporting evidence in the nomination package and why the postdoctoral scholar merits the distinction this award represents.  If the postdoctoral scholar self-nominates, a letter of support from the faculty mentor must be included in the nomination PDF.
• Up to three endorsement letters (two required) for the nomination (one page limit/Endorser). Limit of three total endorsements per nomination.
• Current curriculum vitae (CV) for the postdoctoral scholar nominee (with postdoctoral appointment history, i.e. locations, dates and mentors). The CV should include awards, honors, publications, presentations, inventions, performances, etc., as well as professional memberships, volunteer organizations and relevant activities. Accomplishments achieved while a postdoctoral scholar at UC San Diego should be highlighted.

A complete application will include:

• Online application form completed by the Faculty Mentor Nominator or Postdoctoral Scholar Nominator (self-nomination), which includes the following information:
  • Name, department, payroll title and email address of:
    • Faculty Mentor Nominator or Postdoctoral Scholar Nominator (self-nomination)
    • Up to three Endorsers (two required)
    • Department Chair
    • Note that all email addresses will receive a confirmation email of the completed nomination.
  • Narrative statement completed by the Faculty Mentor Nominator or Postdoctoral Scholar Nominator (up to 900 words) explaining how and why the nominee is an outstanding postdoctoral scholar by demonstrating their excellence in research and active role in the advancement of society, such as in advocacy, leadership and teamwork.
• Documents to be uploaded for a complete online submission:
  • Nomination signature form with the signatures of the Faculty Mentor Nominator or Postdoctoral Scholar Nominator (if applicable); up to three Endorsers (two required) and Department Chair
  • If self-nomination, letter of support (up to 900 words) from Faculty Mentor. If the Faculty Mentor is the nominator, then only the narrative statement needs to be submitted.
  • Up to three endorsement letters for the nomination (one page limit/Endorser). Limit of three total endorsements per nomination.
  • Current curriculum vitae for postdoctoral scholar. The CV should include awards, honors, publications, presentations, inventions, performances, etc., as well as professional memberships, volunteer organizations and relevant activities. Accomplishments achieved while a postdoctoral scholar at UC San Diego should be highlighted.
• Please ensure that nominator statement and endorsement letters address the specific award criteria as listed.

Chancellor’s Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award Form

Nominations will be reviewed by an internal selection committee composed of faculty, representative(s) from the Postdoctoral Association and member(s) of the Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs and/or Graduate Division. Awardees will be selected by the Dean of the Graduate Division from the finalists selected by this committee.

Award finalists will be notified by the end of August, 2021.

Each Postdoctoral Scholar Award recipient will receive $1000 to promote their career development and an engraved plaque.

Finalists will be recognized and honored and the 2021 recipients for these awards will be announced at the virtual Awards Ceremony during Postdoc Appreciation Week on Thursday, September 23, 2021. Postdoc award finalists and their mentor(s) are expected to attend the ceremony.

Check out the videos of 2021's Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award recipients.

Check out the videos of 2020's Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award recipients.

Check out the videos of 2019's Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award recipients.

Check out videos of the 2018 Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award reciepents.

2015
Kristin Palmsten, Sc.D., Postdoctoral Scholar in Pediatrics; Faculty Nominator: Christina Chambers, Ph.D., MPH Matthew Stroud, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Scholar in Medicine; Faculty Nominator: Ju Chen, Ph.D.
2014
2013