Rice University highlights the work of more than 250 postdoctoral researchers as part of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, held Sept. 15–19, 2025. The week, sponsored nationally by the National Postdoctoral Association, recognizes postdoctoral scholars’ significant contributions to research, mentorship and academic advancement across the United States.
At Rice, postdocs are embedded in nearly every discipline, from engineering and environmental science to psychology and the humanities. Their roles, while temporary, typically last two to five years and are pivotal. Postdocs conduct cutting-edge research and publish, present findings, and often serve as the first line of mentorship for graduate and undergraduate students.
“Postdocs really play a critical role in the research enterprise of any university,” said Katie Young, president of the Rice Postdoctoral Association. “In addition to leading research, they often become the go-to mentors in labs, helping guide the next generation of scientists and scholars.”
Events during the week included a faculty panel on communicating research to the public, a tour of Rice’s campus led by Dean Seiichi Matsuda of the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and a group trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The celebration concludes with a family-friendly picnic hosted by the Rice Postdoctoral Association and the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Postdocs at Rice bring global perspectives as well. Many come from outside the United States, enriching the university’s academic and cultural community. Michelle Gore, a South African postdoctoral associate in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, noted that the experience offers professional growth and impact. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to broaden your expertise and diversify your interests. You get to contribute high-level research while preparing for the next stage of your career,” she said.
For many, the postdoctoral experience at Rice means both intellectual and personal enrichment. “At Rice, you get academic freedom, a collaborative campus culture, and a supportive community in an affordable city,” said Taylor Payne, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology.
Ritika Menghani, a postdoctoral associate in mechanical engineering, emphasized the sense of belonging. “Even though I’m here working most of the time, I have that community where we can go out and just hang out as people outside of work,” she said. “That balance makes the experience meaningful.”
University leadership emphasized postdocs' central role in advancing discovery and preparing for the future of academia and beyond. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have over 250 postdocs working at Rice. Our postdocs play an instrumental role in advancing Rice’s research goals, mentoring graduate students, teaching undergraduate students, and contributing to the intellectual climate in various ways within their departments and across campus,” said Dr. Randi McInerney, who administers the Rice Academy Postdoctoral Fellows program, leads organizing for Rice’s Postdoc Appreciation Week, and serves as GPS’ liaison with the Rice Postdoctoral Association.
McInerney also said, “Rice strives to provide postdocs with the training, mentoring, and resources to pursue their research and professional development goals. Their time here helps to prepare them for the next steps in their careers.”