About Postdoctoral Affairs

Launched in 2023, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs serves as a central resource for all postdoctoral researchers at Syracuse University. The office supports postdoctoral professional and career development in close collaboration with the Graduate School Professional and Career Development Office and other campus partners. The office also collaborates with staff across the University to facilitate administrative processes related to hiring and onboarding postdocs.

Colleen Burton, Senior Director of Finance & Research Initiatives

As part of her role as Senior Director, Colleen oversees the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and provides strategic guidance for the office.

Kimberly Vanderhoef, Associate Director of Postdoctoral Affairs

Kimberly provides leadership and administrative management for the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. This includes managing the lifecycle of postdoctoral appointments, facilitating policy development and training for staff, collaborating with campus partners, and engaging with the postdoctoral community at Syracuse University.

Claire Perrott

Claire Perrott, Professional Development Postdoctoral Fellow

Claire leads the office’s professional development and programming efforts.  She develops resources and coordinates events tailored to the Syracuse University postdoctoral community and also engages postdocs at neighboring institutions. Claire’s work encompasses the pivotal task of connecting postdoctoral scholars with an array of campus resources, with a particular emphasis on fostering access to professional development opportunities. Claire provides comprehensive support to postdoctoral scholars, ensuring their success during their tenure at SU and as they prepare for the next stage of their careers beyond Syracuse University.