Preparing a yearly Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a vital part of your postdoctoral training experience. The IDP process gives you the opportunity to define your career goal(s), and identify the steps to reach that goal. You should share your IDP with your mentor, who will use this opportunity to provide you with constructive feedback. Together, you and your mentor should identify at least one career development activity that will augment your postdoc training during the upcoming year.
Click Here to access IDP Verification Form: 2024 IDP Form
An excellent paper describing the advantages of preparing an IDP and an overview of the steps to follow was published this year [Vincent et al. (2015) Molecular Cell 58: 718].
Click Here to access paper.
Your IDP should be prepared using the online tool, “myIDP” created for Ph.D.s by the scientific organizations AAAS and FASEB. A summary of the tool is provided in the drop down IDP list (MyIDP poster).
Click Here to access the website
After you and your mentor have completed the IDP process, please complete the attached IDP verification form and send to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs by December 15, 2024.
Steps in preparing an IDP:
1. Perform self-Assessment, based on the Core Competencies.
2. Complete goals/planning worksheet –or– online “myIDP” implementation plan.
3. Meet with mentor and discuss worksheet or “myIDP” summary. Revise plans as needed.
4. Complete IDP verification form and submit to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) by December 15.
5. Review IDP progress regularly with mentor, revising as needed.
Resources
Your IDP can be prepared using the online tool, “myIDP” created for Ph.D.s by the scientific organizations AAAS and FASEB.
Click Here for another excellent resource created by the National Postdoctoral Association.
Core Competencies
Click on one of the core competencies below OR begin reading here to view the description and resources for each competency.
The six core competencies are:
1. Discipline-specific conceptual knowledge
2. Research skill development
3. Communication skills
4. Professionalism
5. Leadership and management skills
6. Responsible conduct of research