PGAC Event
PGAC Postdoctoral Opportunities Series | Lecture 2
Unlocking Global Research Opportunities
Speakers:
- Dr. Sundaresan C – IIT Bombay Alumnus
- Dr. Sumanta Chowdhury
The second lecture of the PGAC Postdoctoral Opportunities Series focuses on applications, opportunities, and beyond. Learn practical strategies for finding and shortlisting international postdoctoral openings, crafting compelling CVs, research statements, and proposal cover letters, and establishing contact with potential mentors. The session will also cover evaluation criteria, committee expectations, personal lessons learned, overcoming challenges, and long-term career planning.
- Strategies for finding and shortlisting international postdoctoral openings
- Crafting compelling CVs, research statements, and proposal cover letters
- Best practices for cold-emailing and establishing contact with potential mentors
- Understanding evaluation criteria and committee expectations
- Personal lessons learned, overcoming challenges, and long-term career planning
Event Recap
PGAC Postdoctoral Opportunities Series | Lecture 2
The Post Graduate Academic Council (PGAC), IIT Bombay, successfully organized the second lecture of the Postdoctoral Opportunities Series on 30 August 2026. The session featured researchers currently pursuing postdoctoral research in Sweden and France, Dr. Sundaresan C and Dr. Sumanta Chowdhury, who shared their experiences of pursuing research opportunities abroad and navigating the postdoctoral application process.
The speakers provided practical insights into identifying and shortlisting suitable postdoctoral opportunities, approaching potential supervisors, and presenting a strong research profile. The discussion covered important application components such as CVs, research statements, proposal cover letters, and strategies for communicating effectively with prospective mentors. Drawing from their own experiences, the speakers also discussed the considerations that go into evaluating applications and what committees and potential supervisors look for in prospective postdoctoral researchers.
The session also highlighted the challenges involved in pursuing postdoctoral opportunities internationally, along with lessons learned from the speakers’ own academic journeys. Participants gained insights into approaching the application process strategically, building meaningful academic connections, and planning their research careers beyond the immediate postdoctoral position.
The event concluded with an engaging question and answer session, allowing participants to interact directly with the speakers and seek guidance on finding opportunities, approaching supervisors, strengthening their applications, and planning an international research career. The session served as a valuable platform for PG and PhD students interested in exploring postdoctoral opportunities and academic pathways abroad.
The Post Graduate Academic Council extends its sincere gratitude to the speakers for sharing their experiences and valuable insights, and to all the students who participated and contributed to the success of the second lecture of the Postdoctoral Opportunities Series.
