The University of Toronto Mississauga is lining up a busy fall schedule for postdoctoral fellows, with social gatherings, professional development workshops and research communication programming running from September through November 2026. The events are open to different parts of the postdoc community depending on the session, and several require advance registration.
Key facts
- A postdoctoral orientation and appreciation day is set for Thursday, September 17, 2026, at UTM.
- UTM postdocs can also join an informal coffee, conversation and board-game series starting Monday, October 26.
- The School of Graduate Studies is running a 5 Minute Research Talks program for postdocs, with registration open until Friday, October 16.
- Dream Job Academy for PhDs and Postdocs is scheduled for four Fridays in October and November 2026.
- A postdoc fall hike and lunch is planned for Tuesday, October 20, weather permitting, with a rain date of October 27.
What UTM postdocs need to know
For postdoctoral fellows at UTM, the fall lineup mixes networking, campus orientation and practical skill-building. Some events are open to all postdocs, while others are limited to U of T postdocs, SGS-registered postdocs, or participants who identify as racialized, Black or Indigenous.
Several sessions have clear action items and deadlines. The postdoctoral orientation day asks attendees to RSVP by Thursday, September 10, 2026, though walk-in attendance is still allowed after that date by contacting the postdocs office. The 5 Minute Research Talks program closes registration on Friday, October 16, and the postdoc fall hike and lunch requires RSVP by Wednesday, October 14.
- Open drop-in: the Monday board-game coffee series welcomes all postdocs and offers complimentary Second Cup coffee.
- Registration required: Dream Job Academy, 5 Minute Research Talks, the teaching and assessment workshops, and the fall hike and lunch all require sign-up or RSVP.
- Location details: events are split between campus spaces such as the Davis Food Court, MN 3230, The Spot, and the Blackwood Gallery, plus online sessions on Teams or Zoom.
What is UTM offering postdoctoral fellows this fall?
UTM’s event list spans social connection, career development and teaching support. The schedule includes an orientation and appreciation day, a casual coffee hour, a hike and lunch, research communication workshops, and sessions tied to assessment, teaching practice and well-being.
Some events are organized directly by UTM offices, while others come through broader University of Toronto units such as the School of Graduate Studies or the Faculty of Arts & Science’s Office of Graduate Professional Development & Student Success. Together, they form a broad calendar aimed at helping postdocs connect with peers, present their research more effectively and learn about campus resources.
Which events are open to all postdocs?
Several of the listed events are open broadly to postdocs, though some have extra eligibility rules. The Monday, October 26 coffee-and-board-games meetup is open to all postdocs, and the fall hike and lunch is designed for UTM postdoctoral scholars. Other sessions, such as the research communication workshop and some teaching-focused events, are limited to specific U of T or SGS postdoc groups.
The board-game series is meant as an informal social break and includes complimentary Second Cup coffee. Organizers say participants are welcome to bring a favorite board or card game, and the meetup will continue every other Monday after the first session.
How do the research and career sessions help postdocs?
Two of the strongest professional-development offerings focus on communication and career planning. The School of Graduate Studies’ 5 Minute Research Talks program gives postdocs five minutes to explain their research to a general audience, with preliminary presentations, feedback, a final event and a $500 prize for the top presenter. The top three presenters from the U of T final will move on to a province-wide competition.
For career exploration, Dream Job Academy for PhDs and Postdocs runs on four Fridays in October and November and invites participants to think about academic and non-academic futures. The program asks attendees to reflect on the skills they want to bring to their dream jobs, creative strategies for career opportunities and ways to connect personal interests with future planning.
How can postdocs take part?
Most of the events require some form of registration or RSVP, and some have limited spaces. The postdoctoral orientation and appreciation day asks people to complete the RSVP form by September 10, while the hike and lunch requires an RSVP by October 14. The 5 Minute Research Talks registration closes on October 16, and the research communication workshop on September 25 is also registration-based.
Postdocs who need help registering for Dream Job Academy can contact Jessica Wurster, and those with questions about the board-game series can email Quinn Valentine. The fall programming gives UTM postdocs a range of ways to meet colleagues, access professional support and take part in campus life across the semester.
