The UAB Postdoctoral Association (UAB PDA) is a volunteer organization that provides a voice for the interest of postdoctoral scholars at UAB. It works to encourage meaningful and constructive dialogue with the Office of Postdoctoral Education (OPE), the Council on Postdoctoral Education (COPE), and the university to advocate for improvements in policies affecting postdocs. It also organizes and carries out social and educational events for all postdocs at UAB.

If you are a postdoc at UAB, you are a member of the UAB PDA! We welcome your suggestions and input. Please contact a member of the UAB PDA Executive Board or email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also check them out on social media. 

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Mission of the UAB PDA

The mission of the UAB PDA is to provide a voice for UAB postdoctoral scholars that reflects the important contribution postdoctoral scholars make to research. The association:

1. advocates for effective career training and preparation for transitioning to independence in the diverse career paths available to postdoctoral scholars
2. works toward an improved environment for postdoctoral scholars, which allows for balancing work and home responsibilities.

A Voice for Postdocs

The UAB PDA is independent from the Office of Postdoctoral Education but collaborates with them to organize events for postdoctoral scholars. OPE's Associate Dean for Research and Training will also provide advice on activities proposed by the Executive Board (EB).

The chair of the PDA also serves on COPE, which advises the Associate Dean on issues related to postdoctoral training. If the EB believes an issue requires attention from the UAB administration, it can be brought to the attention of COPE for discussion and action.

History of the UAB PDA

Late in 2003, at the urging of Dr. Victor Darley-Usmar, a Founders Committee was formed to establish a postdoctoral association at UAB. The committee was comprised of two postdoctoral scholars at UAB, Drs. Keith Micoli and Maaike Everts. Modeling the UAB PDA after the newly established NPA, the committee prepared and submitted a constitution and by-laws to the UAB postdoctoral community in April, 2004. They were approved at the inaugural town hall meeting of postdoctoral scholars on May 4, 2004.

UAB is a founding member of the National Postdoc Association. Postdoctoral scholars are encouraged to consider joining the NPA as individual members to augment their professional development.