Advising Graduate Students & Postdocs

We offer individual advising to all graduate students and postdocs at the University. 

How to schedule an appointment?

Please see our scheduling page to schedule an appointment with members of the PhD Plus program. If you have previously worked with one of us, you can continue to meet with your previous advisor regardless of your discipline. If this is your first time scheduling an appointment with our office, please see the disciplinary/status designation below.

Please only request a meeting with one member at a time.

MASTERS & PHD STUDENTS

Students with general questions about their career or professional development may schedule an appointment with any member of the PhD+ team.

  • Sam Lake: UVA PhD/Masters students and postdocs can meet with me to discuss: any type of research communication (academic or non-academic), presentations (conferences, Grad Thesis Slam, etc.), fellowships and grants proposals, questions related to science policy, and general support related to STEM careers (feedback, advice, etc). A calendar invitation with a Zoom link or office location will be provided when the appointment is confirmed.
  • Melanie Sinche: UVA PhD/Masters students and postdocs in any discipline can meet with me to discuss career and/or professional development questions. A calendar invitation with a Zoom link or office location will be provided when the appointment is confirmed. 

POSTDOCS

  • Fatima Saldaña Morales UVA Postdocs can request appointment with any of the team members above or me to discuss career and/or professional development questions. A calendar invitation with a Zoom link or office location will be provided when the appointment is confirmed. 

 

Professional and career development topics

Graduate students and Postdocs at all stages of training can connect with us to discuss any of the following areas:

  • Setting goals and managing time
  • Career interests and possibilities, and strategies to explore and plan
  • Strategies to build and expand professional network
  • Developing skills and experiences in careers of interest through PhD Plus offerings and other avenues
  • Specific guidance to international trainees for U.S.-based and global careers
  • Job search strategies, guidance on tailored applications, and polishing interview and negotiation skills for a wide variety of careers

We encourage you first to explore this detailed resource page we created for PhD students and Postdocs and bring your questions to the appointment for targeted advice.

Non-Faculty Position Applications

  • If you would like to request a resume/cover letter review for non-faculty positions
    • Please review the materials and make changes to your materials
    • Please submit the following materials along with your draft application 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment
      • The job post that you used to tailor your materials (a web link or saved content that speaks to the job description and qualifications).
      • Your updated resume based on the strategies you learned from the workshop recording (in a Word document).
      • Your drafted cover letter tailored to the job (in a Word document).

Faculty/Postdoc Applications

  • If you would like to request a review for academic positions, including faculty and postdoc job applications
    • Please submit the following materials along with your draft application at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment
      • The job post that you used to tailor your materials (a web link or saved content that speaks to the job description and qualifications).
      • Any documents for review 
        • For multiple documents, please understand a scheduled reviewer may need additional time to review in order to give thoughtful feedback.
        • Please submit your documents as soon as possible after your review request.

Mock Interview

  • If you would like to request a mock interview
    • Please submit all your application materials along with the position description.
    • Share any information that you received regarding the format, hiring process, and hiring manager with us to help us determine the questions.