UMBC Postdocs:
Developing essential skills scientists need to thrive.
You need access to practical knowledge and essential skills to succeed as a scientist.
You’ve spent years honing your science skills. But nobody taught you how to navigate a difficult relationship with a supervisor or peer, mentor a struggling trainee, build a professional network from scratch, or survive a brutal job market while keeping your wellbeing and motivation intact.
These are the skills that make or break research careers. They are also treated as something scientists should simply figure out on their own. Most don't get the chance.
Compass was built to change that. The challenges of a research career don’t have to feel so isolating. With Compass, you’ll have the skills, coaching, and a nationwide network of peers in your corner.
Disclaimer: This is not a free program and it comes at a cost of $500.
Apply Now For Fall
The Compass Postdoc Track is a 7-week, fully remote professional development program open to all postdoctoral researchers in the U.S. and Canada across every research discipline. The program was developed by researchers, workplace psychologists, and career development experts at Washington University in St. Louis, and originally built with funding from the NIH.
Compass Scholars build practical knowledge and evidence-backed skills for effectively:
- Building the career and life you want by understanding yourself.
- Communicating with clarity and confidence while navigating interpersonal conflict.
- Managing up to build productive relationships with supervisors and organizational leaders.
- Training and supervising others to equip them with skills, feedback, and guidance they need to succeed.
Networking to build relationships that expand knowledge, opportunities, and impact.
Job search strategies to identify opportunities, prepare competitive applications, and interview with confidence.
What Makes Compass Different
Entirely remote. No travel. Flexible scheduling to meet your needs. Compass realistically fits into your life as a postdoc.
A national peer network. You'll work closely with a dedicated Peer Mentoring Team of postdocs from institutions across the country. These are people who genuinely understand the pressures you're facing because they’re living them too.
Real-time coaching. Live group coaching sessions led by Compass experts help you work through the actual challenges you're facing right now.
A personalized Career Development Plan. You'll leave with a concrete, customized roadmap for your career and professional goals, not just a certificate of completion – but you’ll get one of those too.
A lasting community. Compass Scholars remain connected through a LinkedIn group and peer teams that often continue meeting long after the program ends.
What Postdocs Have Said
“Compass came at the perfect time in my career as a senior postdoc about to start my independent research lab. I feel much better about my future as a leader. I now have tools to help me become an effective leader and mentor.”
“This experience will strengthen my position on the job market as I present myself as someone with strong potential to be a successful PI, mentor, and faculty member.”
“Compass made me solidify and codify my ideas…Since I took Compass, I’ve seen situations in other labs that caused serious problems that could have been averted with clear communication of expectations.”
About to transition to lead your own lab or have research mentees? Senior postdocs are also eligible for the Faculty Track where they learn deeper leadership and management skills. They also develop a lab manual to guide lab members about expectations. Note this track has different program dates and cost.
Fall 2026 Postdoc Track Cohort — Applications Now
Open Program Dates: September 14 – November 1, 2026
Application Deadline: August 2, 2026 | Seats fill on a rolling basis
Cost: $500 | Open to all U.S. and Canadian postdocs across disciplines