As a sustained member of the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA), KAUST joins institutions across the US, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, and the UK in celebrating the remarkable contributions of postdoctoral researchers. This week is dedicated to recognizing the vital role postdocs play in advancing research and innovation. It is also an opportunity to strengthen our community, highlight the impact of your work, and acknowledge the unique challenges you face on your career journey.
We invite all postdocs to take part in a week filled with activities designed to inspire, connect, and celebrate your achievements.
Agenda and activities
Monday, September 15
Morning social with the OPRA Team | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Building 4, Room 2286 (on the spine)
Join us for a light breakfast, coffee, and casual conversation as we kick off the Postdoc Appreciation Week together!
Navigating the faculty job market | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Building 5, Room 5220
Prof. Harrys Konstantinou, Associate Professor CEMSE
Get insights on navigating faculty career paths, preparing applications, and positioning yourself for success in academia.
Registration required
Postdoc Trivia Challenge
Join our week-long Postdoc Trivia Challenge and see how much you know about KAUST, life in KSA, and the ins and outs of postdoc and research life. Answer fun and thought-provoking questions, climb the leaderboard, and compete to be one of the three winners! The competition runs all week, with winners announced Friday, September 19. Don’t forget to use your KAUST ID as your nickname for your participation to be eligible!
Tuesday, September 16
Responsible and ethical use of AI | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Building 2, Room 5209
KAUST Research Compliance
Registration required
Falling Walls competition | 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Building 20 (auditorium)
Come to the event and be inspired by innovative research and groundbreaking ideas! Join us to watch postdocs and researchers present “wall-breaking” projects in a dynamic and exciting competition.
Wednesday, September 17
Discover what sets you apart: Leverage your strengths for career advancement | 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. | Building 20, Room 2011 (Rehearsal Room)
Sara Al-Otaibi & Samantha Tully, Certified Gallup Clifton Strengths coaches
Explore your natural talents in this interactive coaching session and learn how to leverage them for research, collaboration, and career growth.
Registration required
Lunch-time yoga & sound meditation session | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Building 4, Room 5220
Nimisha Rajawat, Yoga and Mindfulness teacher
Registration required
Thursday, September 18
Research Soundbites: preparing mini presentations | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Online webinar
Dr. David T. Jones, Independent Consultant
Learn how to create concise, impactful mini-presentations under 3 minutes to communicate your research clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
Registration required
Complimentary Postdoc Headshots | 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Campus Library
Update your professional profile with a high-quality headshot, taken on campus at no cost.
Registration required
Unlocking creativity through improvisation | 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Building 4, Room 5220
Boost your creativity and adaptability in this interactive improvisation workshop led by a team of KAUST Postdocs and Researchers – fun, engaging, and full of practical takeaways for research and collaboration.
Registration required
Friday, September 19
Postdoc Trivia challenge winners’ announcement
Find out who topped the leaderboard and celebrate the winners of the Postdoc Trivia Challenge! Winners will be announced at 5:00 p.m. via email.