Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

New Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Focuses on the Needs of Postdoctoral Scholars 

Friday, November 10, 2023, By Diane Stirling
Share
academic affairsGraduate SchoolResearch and Creative

Syracuse University has established an Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to provide centralized resources and dedicated staff to serve the interests and well-being of postdoctoral scholars.

Part of the Office of Research and developed in partnership with the Graduate School, the new office is an expansion of the University’s commitment to a quality campus experience and positive career outcomes for postdoctoral associates, says Duncan Brown, vice president for research.

“Postdoctoral scholars are essential to the University’s research and creative activities,” Brown says. “They contribute to the research program of their faculty advisors through their own research accomplishments and their interactions with our students. Their work enriches the environment of their research groups while they build their own skills through mentoring and collaboration.”

New Support Services 

Located at 227 Lyman Hall, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will provide professional development, peer groups and skillset development opportunities, which will help the University recruit and support outstanding postdocs who advance the research and creative mission, Brown says. Office staff members expect to facilitate opportunities for practice research presentations, writing groups and mentoring resources for faculty members who supervise postdocs.

Onboarding Help

A comprehensive orientation and onboarding program for incoming postdoctoral scholars, aimed at helping them quickly acclimate to the University, is currently being developed. Additionally, Postdoc Communal Lunches are held every Wednesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. Postdoctoral scholars are welcome to bring their own lunch and enjoy coffee, tea and snacks with fellow postdocs.

Dedicated Staff

Colleen Burton

Colleen Burton joined the Office of Research in February as associate director of postdoctoral affairs and research services and led the establishment of the new office. Burton provides management and financial oversight for all postdoctoral program functions, facilitates hiring and onboarding for postdoctoral researchers and collaborates with campus partners to develop resources and programming to enhance the postdoctoral experience.

“Postdocs serve an important role in academic research,” says Burton, who earned a Ph.D. in political science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. “I’m looking forward to enhancing the supports that help them thrive here and as they prepare for their next steps. This has been a great opportunity to collaborate with many different departments across campus. We have a lot more to do, but I feel that we are off to a good start.”

Claire Perrott

Joining Burton in the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is Claire Perrott, professional development postdoctoral fellow. She leads development of postdoctoral and mentor-facing resources, connects postdoctoral scholars to existing campus resources, creates onboarding and orientation programming and develops events promoting networking, community-building and professional development opportunities.

Perrott holds a Ph.D. in Latin American history from the University of Arizona. She was an instructor and assistant professor at several institutions before deciding to pursue a career in higher education administration. Her background provides a unique perspective on various pathways that postdoctoral scholars can pursue to develop professional resources, she says. “I believe we are filling an important gap by providing resources specifically for postdocs and I hope our efforts not only increase the research being done on campus but also help our postdocs land great jobs. I hope that postdocs feel comfortable approaching our office with questions. We want to hear from them so that we can set them up for success.”

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will continue to collaborate closely with the Career and Professional Development team in the Graduate School to assess postdoctoral scholar needs and tailor programming toward them, Burton says.

  • Author

Diane Stirling

  • Recent
  • Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars Produce Information Literacy Collab Journal
    Thursday, May 29, 2025, By Cristina Hatem
  • Trip to Atlanta Gives Falk Students ‘Real-World’ Opportunities and Connections
    Thursday, May 29, 2025, By Matt Michael
  • Syracuse Pride on Display: Limited-Edition Poster Supports Future Generations
    Thursday, May 29, 2025, By News Staff
  • Maxwell Advisory Board Welcomes New Leadership
    Thursday, May 29, 2025, By Jessica Youngman
  • Syracuse Stage Hosts Inaugural Julie Lutz New Play Festival
    Wednesday, May 28, 2025, By News Staff

More In Campus & Community

Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars Produce Information Literacy Collab Journal

Earlier this month, Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars published their first open access information literacy journal, Information Literacy Collab (ILC). It is available on SURFACE, the University’s open access institutional repository. ILC is a diamond open-access publication by and…

Trip to Atlanta Gives Falk Students ‘Real-World’ Opportunities and Connections

The city of Atlanta is home to professional sports franchises in major leagues: Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer), the Braves (Major League Baseball), Dream (WNBA), Falcons (NFL), and Hawks (NBA). Atlanta also features professional teams in lacrosse, rugby, and…

Syracuse Pride on Display: Limited-Edition Poster Supports Future Generations

The third annual fiscal-year end poster campaign is a wonderful way to celebrate Syracuse pride, expand your art collection and make a meaningful impact on the Orange community. As a token of appreciation for their generosity, the first 500 donors…

Maxwell Advisory Board Welcomes New Leadership

A Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs alumna who has supported student and faculty excellence through volunteer service and philanthropy has taken the helm of the Maxwell Advisory Board. Cathy Daicoff  G’79 began her term as chair at the…

Michael J. Bunker Appointed Associate Vice President and Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services

Syracuse University today announced the appointment of Michael J. Bunker as the new associate vice president and chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services following a national search. Bunker will begin his new role on July 1, 2025. He…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.