webinars and events
Purdue Postdoctoral Association (PPDA)
The PPDA organizes a variety of monthly online seminars designed to support Purdue postdocs in their professional growth. Each session is led by a pair of council members who select the topic, coordinate speakers, and plan the seminar one to two months in advance. Frequently, the PPDA will also collaborate with the OSGPS’ Postdoctoral Affairs to host workshops.
Our WEBinars cover a wide range of postdoc-relevant topics, including:
- Grant writing workshops (NIH, NSF, and other agencies)
- Publishing in high-impact journals
- Preparing for industry interviews
- Crafting an academic CV
- Crafting and industry CV
- Research integrity and identifying “false data”
- Mentorship training
- Navigating the path to a faculty position
- Transitioning to careers in industry
- Managing workplace dynamics
- Specialized K99/R00 grant writing workshops
- And more!
In addition, the PPDA Council hosts two high-priority seminars every year:
- Immigration and Visa Information Session*
- How to Be a Reviewer
*If you would like to access slides and recordings from previous workshops, please visit the PPDA’s shared Google drive here.
Monthly Coffee and Cookies
PPDA is proud to host a networking coffee and cookies social event at the beginning of each monthly Postdoc Power Session. The Postdoc Power Session is a structured event for broad networking, sharing research, and gaining professional development insights.
Don’t miss the next Postdoc Power Session.
Annual Summer Bash
PPDA hosts an annual picnic event for postdocs and their families during the summer months of June or July. In 2025, we had nearly 200 people attend! It is normally located at Happy Hollow Park in West Lafayette, and the PPDA provides free food, drinks, music and games for both adults and their families.
Fact: Postdocs like to eat!
Children play Tug-O-War!
Join our growing community!
Annual Christmas Party
In December, PPDA hosts an annual Christmas party for postdocs and their families on the Purdue West Lafayette campus. We set up music and Christmas-themed décor such as ornaments, lights, and a Christmas tree. Stations are filled with arts and crafts for children, games and events for adults, as well as food, drinks and (of course) dessert!
Christmas Tree Decorating Contest!
Come Celebrate with us!
Other Fun Events
The PPDA also hosts smaller event gatherings throughout the year such a “movie night” where we welcome postdocs to join us for a movie during the evening, in one of the theater-style rented rooms at Purdue. The PPDA also hosts local hikes, and regularly disseminates information about local festivals, music and sporting events.
Movie Night!
Hiking and (of course) Eating!
PPDA Contact Information
Outgoing Messages: We communicate to the Purdue Postdoc Community through the Postdoc Listserv: All postdocs are automatically subscribed when they begin their appointment at Purdue. If you are a Visiting Scholar, you’ll need to request access here.
Our Email: Reach us anytime at ppda@purdue.edu.
Connect with us on social media:
LinkedIn: Purdue Postdoctoral Association
Bluesky: @ppdapurdue.bsky.social
X (Twitter): @PurduePPDA
WhatsApp Postdoc Group: Coming soon