Information for New Postdoctoral Scholars

Get Connected!

There are a number of ways to connect to the postdoctoral scholar community at UCLA. Among the most effective ways to learn about events and information relevant to your postdoctoral appointment is to sign up for the UCLA Postdoctoral Scholar Mailing List.

Mandatory New Postdoctoral Scholar Orientation

UCLA is holding campus-wide in-person New Postdoctoral Orientation on a monthly basis per Article 29 of the UC-UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement for Postdoctoral Scholars.

Except as noted below, the orientations for 2026 will be held on the first Thursday of the month at 11a.m. in MRL 1-441:

• • January 8 (moved because of the Winter Closure)
  • February 5
  • March 5
  • April 2
  • May 7
  • June 4
  • July 9 (moved because of holiday)
  • August 6
  • September 3
  • October 1
  • November 5
  • December 3

If a postdoc cannot attend the orientation, please schedule a make-up time for a mandatory union orientation via this form.

The orientation includes a brief overview of resources available to postdocs, as well as a Q&A regarding campus resources, and a brief presentation by the Postdoctoral Association at UCLA (PDA at UCLA).

Postdoc representatives from the postdoc union (UAW Local 4811) will answer questions about the postdoctoral contract and union membership.

For questions about the new postdoc orientation, please contact apo@conet.ucla.edu.

Information on this website regarding postdoctoral scholar benefits are based on the previous UAW Bargaining Contract [ratified on 10/17/16]. For the most current information, please refer to the recently ratified contract: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/px/contract.html.