Chris Smith
@drchristsmith.bsky.social
A neuroscientist by training, I now work to support and advocate for early career researchers. In addition, I enjoy writing and blogging about neuroscience, the future of work, Ph.D. career pathways, career and professional development topics, and more.
What can honey bee brain chemistry teach us about human learning? Cool work from Dr. Read Montague's Lab @fralinbiomed.bsky.social in collaboration with Dr. Brian Smith at Arizona State University. news.vt.edu/articles/202...
What can honey bee brain chemistry teach us about human learning?
A multi-institutional team of researchers led by Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC has for the first time identified specific patterns of brain chemical activity that predict...
news.vt.edu
February 11, 2026 at 8:15 PM
What can honey bee brain chemistry teach us about human learning? Cool work from Dr. Read Montague's Lab @fralinbiomed.bsky.social in collaboration with Dr. Brian Smith at Arizona State University. news.vt.edu/articles/202...
The Kevin P. Granata Biomechanics Laboratory @vtengineering.bsky.social seeks a #postdoc to contribute to work focused on developing a prognostic model of second Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury risk.
Excellent salary & employee benefits. Apply by March 23!
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
Excellent salary & employee benefits. Apply by March 23!
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
Postdoctoral Associate - Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
Job Description
The Kevin P. Granata Biomechanics Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate to join a dynamic, multi-center, interdisciplinary team focused on developing a prog...
jobs.apply.vt.edu
February 5, 2026 at 4:39 PM
The Kevin P. Granata Biomechanics Laboratory @vtengineering.bsky.social seeks a #postdoc to contribute to work focused on developing a prognostic model of second Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury risk.
Excellent salary & employee benefits. Apply by March 23!
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
Excellent salary & employee benefits. Apply by March 23!
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
#postdoc position working with Drew Wang @vtcals.bsky.social with a focus on advanced microplastic extraction, detection, and quantification technologies.
Excellent employee benefits & training environment.
Apply by Feb. 20 for full consideration.
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
Excellent employee benefits & training environment.
Apply by Feb. 20 for full consideration.
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
Postdoctoral Associate - Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
Job Description
Dr. Zhiwu (Drew) Wang’s research team at Virginia Tech invites applications from highly motivated candidates specializing in civil and environmental engineering, with a focus on adva...
jobs.apply.vt.edu
February 4, 2026 at 2:18 PM
#postdoc position working with Drew Wang @vtcals.bsky.social with a focus on advanced microplastic extraction, detection, and quantification technologies.
Excellent employee benefits & training environment.
Apply by Feb. 20 for full consideration.
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
Excellent employee benefits & training environment.
Apply by Feb. 20 for full consideration.
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
Reposted by Chris Smith
Both chambers of Congress have now passed the FY26 minibus with NIH provisions. The President will sign.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
February 3, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Both chambers of Congress have now passed the FY26 minibus with NIH provisions. The President will sign.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine seeks a #postdoc in Human Factors & Systems Thinking for Healthcare Quality who will work to understand & improve the socio-technical systems that shape healthcare quality, safety, & diagnostic performance. Apply by 2/13
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
Postdoctoral Associate in Human Factors & Systems Thinking for Healthcare Quality - Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Job Description
This postdoctoral associate position offers mentored research training in human factors, systems engineering, and health systems science. The fellowship provides an opportunity to ad...
jobs.apply.vt.edu
February 3, 2026 at 3:18 PM
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine seeks a #postdoc in Human Factors & Systems Thinking for Healthcare Quality who will work to understand & improve the socio-technical systems that shape healthcare quality, safety, & diagnostic performance. Apply by 2/13
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...
The "Be The People" campaign aspires to change the perception that the U.S. is hopelessly divided and wants to move people take action to solve problems in their communities.
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...
‘Be The People’ campaign wants to unite Americans to solve problems
The 10-year initiative aims to change the perception that the U.S. is hopelessly divided and that individuals have little power to solve problems.
www.pbs.org
January 21, 2026 at 11:41 AM
The "Be The People" campaign aspires to change the perception that the U.S. is hopelessly divided and wants to move people take action to solve problems in their communities.
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...
We have 5 new #postdoc openings @virginiatech.bsky.social
with application deadlines in Jan & Feb, including work looking at PFAS in water based in Manassas, VA, & 2 positions in the Marston Research Group @vtengineering.bsky.social.
List of all postdoc openings: bit.ly/vt-postdoc-o...
with application deadlines in Jan & Feb, including work looking at PFAS in water based in Manassas, VA, & 2 positions in the Marston Research Group @vtengineering.bsky.social.
List of all postdoc openings: bit.ly/vt-postdoc-o...
Search Page
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 2:26 PM
We have 5 new #postdoc openings @virginiatech.bsky.social
with application deadlines in Jan & Feb, including work looking at PFAS in water based in Manassas, VA, & 2 positions in the Marston Research Group @vtengineering.bsky.social.
List of all postdoc openings: bit.ly/vt-postdoc-o...
with application deadlines in Jan & Feb, including work looking at PFAS in water based in Manassas, VA, & 2 positions in the Marston Research Group @vtengineering.bsky.social.
List of all postdoc openings: bit.ly/vt-postdoc-o...
Back in Fall 2024 I decided to do a little something to help others and make a difference in the world...become a consistent @americanredcross.bsky.social blood donor.
As of this week, I have donated 9 times (for a total of 1 gallon of blood), saving more than 8 lives.
As of this week, I have donated 9 times (for a total of 1 gallon of blood), saving more than 8 lives.
January 8, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Back in Fall 2024 I decided to do a little something to help others and make a difference in the world...become a consistent @americanredcross.bsky.social blood donor.
As of this week, I have donated 9 times (for a total of 1 gallon of blood), saving more than 8 lives.
As of this week, I have donated 9 times (for a total of 1 gallon of blood), saving more than 8 lives.
Today, on the Winter Solstice, we will have the fewest hours of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere. Two years ago I wrote this piece reflecting on our most precious resource - time - and how we can work to spend it better.
www.christophertsmith.com/reflections/...
www.christophertsmith.com/reflections/...
Past, Present, Future: Reflections On Time
Life Advice, Neuroscience, Personal Perspective
www.christophertsmith.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Today, on the Winter Solstice, we will have the fewest hours of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere. Two years ago I wrote this piece reflecting on our most precious resource - time - and how we can work to spend it better.
www.christophertsmith.com/reflections/...
www.christophertsmith.com/reflections/...
Very cool work from the Chemistry Department @vt-science.bsky.social and NIMH published @science.org that developed a new way to add fluorine-18 to trifluoromethyl groups, a part of a molecule found in many FDA-approved drugs. This work can make PET research easier.
news.vt.edu/articles/202...
news.vt.edu/articles/202...
New PET imaging breakthrough expands possibilities
Chemist Wei Liu and his graduate student Chao Wang have found a new way to tag molecules to aid in PET scans, expanding tracer options and opening possibilities for earlier diagnoses and more precise ...
news.vt.edu
December 19, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Very cool work from the Chemistry Department @vt-science.bsky.social and NIMH published @science.org that developed a new way to add fluorine-18 to trifluoromethyl groups, a part of a molecule found in many FDA-approved drugs. This work can make PET research easier.
news.vt.edu/articles/202...
news.vt.edu/articles/202...
Just crossed the 1,000 lifetime citations count on Google Scholar.
When I started my Ph.D. journey back in Fall 2008 it would have been hard to imagine.
scholar.google.com/citations?us...
When I started my Ph.D. journey back in Fall 2008 it would have been hard to imagine.
scholar.google.com/citations?us...
December 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Just crossed the 1,000 lifetime citations count on Google Scholar.
When I started my Ph.D. journey back in Fall 2008 it would have been hard to imagine.
scholar.google.com/citations?us...
When I started my Ph.D. journey back in Fall 2008 it would have been hard to imagine.
scholar.google.com/citations?us...
The Xin Group in the Department of Chemical Engineering @vtengineering.bsky.social seeks a #postdoc to drive the development of agentic AI systems for accelerating computational catalysis and experimental design.
Apply by Jan. 2nd, 2026!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Apply by Jan. 2nd, 2026!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Details | Postdoctoral Associate | Careers | Division of Human Resources | Virginia Tech
careers.pageuppeople.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
The Xin Group in the Department of Chemical Engineering @vtengineering.bsky.social seeks a #postdoc to drive the development of agentic AI systems for accelerating computational catalysis and experimental design.
Apply by Jan. 2nd, 2026!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Apply by Jan. 2nd, 2026!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
The Kohl Center in the Dept of Agricultural and Applied Economics @vtcals.bsky.social seeks a #postdoc to work at the boundaries of data science/econometric methods and the social sciences.
Anticipated start date is May 2026. Apply by Dec 31st!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Anticipated start date is May 2026. Apply by Dec 31st!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Details | Postdoctoral Associate | Careers | Division of Human Resources | Virginia Tech
careers.pageuppeople.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The Kohl Center in the Dept of Agricultural and Applied Economics @vtcals.bsky.social seeks a #postdoc to work at the boundaries of data science/econometric methods and the social sciences.
Anticipated start date is May 2026. Apply by Dec 31st!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Anticipated start date is May 2026. Apply by Dec 31st!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
The latest paper from our faculty job market collaboration team @nafisajadavji.bsky.social @drkozik.bsky.social is out in Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education investigating the humanities and social sciences academic job market. @futurepislack.bsky.social
www.emerald.com/sgpe/article...
www.emerald.com/sgpe/article...
December 4, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The latest paper from our faculty job market collaboration team @nafisajadavji.bsky.social @drkozik.bsky.social is out in Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education investigating the humanities and social sciences academic job market. @futurepislack.bsky.social
www.emerald.com/sgpe/article...
www.emerald.com/sgpe/article...
Reposted by Chris Smith
Career Advice | Plan to Pivot: A Survival Guide for Scientists
Career agility is no longer optional for Ph.D.s. Here’s how to build it. https://bit.ly/4pEADD5
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
Career agility is no longer optional for Ph.D.s. Here’s how to build it. https://bit.ly/4pEADD5
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
December 1, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Career Advice | Plan to Pivot: A Survival Guide for Scientists
Career agility is no longer optional for Ph.D.s. Here’s how to build it. https://bit.ly/4pEADD5
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
Career agility is no longer optional for Ph.D.s. Here’s how to build it. https://bit.ly/4pEADD5
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
The Dept of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech seeks a Ph.D. w/ expertise in engineering, materials science, or related computational fields to contribute to a growing research program in sustainable food packaging as a #postdoc.
Apply by Jan 2nd!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Apply by Jan 2nd!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Details | Postdoctoral Associate - Paper Coating with Bioplastics for Food Packaging Applications | Careers | Division of Human Resources | Virginia Tech
careers.pageuppeople.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The Dept of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech seeks a Ph.D. w/ expertise in engineering, materials science, or related computational fields to contribute to a growing research program in sustainable food packaging as a #postdoc.
Apply by Jan 2nd!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Apply by Jan 2nd!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
The Center for Packaging & Unit Load Design at Virginia Tech seeks a #postdoc w/ expertise in engineering, materials science, or related computational fields to contribute to research focused on transport packaging optimization & distribution systems.
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Details | Postdoctoral Associate - Transportation Packaging and Distribution Systems Research | Careers | Division of Human Resources | Virginia Tech
careers.pageuppeople.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The Center for Packaging & Unit Load Design at Virginia Tech seeks a #postdoc w/ expertise in engineering, materials science, or related computational fields to contribute to research focused on transport packaging optimization & distribution systems.
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
At a time when gathering information & applying to positions online is so easy, we often forget the importance of connecting with others. Your community will help navigate setbacks and plan for new opportunities as I discuss in this @insidehighered.com piece:
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
Don’t Underestimate Value of a Human Network (opinion)
In your career search and in life, don’t underestimate the value of cultivating a human community.
www.insidehighered.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:46 PM
At a time when gathering information & applying to positions online is so easy, we often forget the importance of connecting with others. Your community will help navigate setbacks and plan for new opportunities as I discuss in this @insidehighered.com piece:
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
At a time when gathering information & applying to positions online is so easy, we often forget the importance of connecting with others. Your community will help navigate setbacks and plan for new opportunities as I discuss in this @insidehighered.com piece:
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
Don’t Underestimate Value of a Human Network (opinion)
In your career search and in life, don’t underestimate the value of cultivating a human community.
www.insidehighered.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:46 PM
At a time when gathering information & applying to positions online is so easy, we often forget the importance of connecting with others. Your community will help navigate setbacks and plan for new opportunities as I discuss in this @insidehighered.com piece:
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
Join @vtengineering.bsky.social for a #postdoc position based in Northern Virginia focused on investigating safety-critical human-in-the-loop systems that collaborate with automated/autonomous decision-aid tech. Position up to 2 years. Apply by Dec 1st!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Details | Postdoctoral Associate | Careers | Division of Human Resources | Virginia Tech
careers.pageuppeople.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Join @vtengineering.bsky.social for a #postdoc position based in Northern Virginia focused on investigating safety-critical human-in-the-loop systems that collaborate with automated/autonomous decision-aid tech. Position up to 2 years. Apply by Dec 1st!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
The Dept of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech seeks a #postdoc for a mixed-methods project: Advancing the Competitiveness of Virginia’s Forest Sector Industry. Postdocs here receive excellent employee benefits & a robust training environment.
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Details | Postdoctoral Associate - Forest Sector Competitiveness | Careers | Division of Human Resources | Virginia Tech
careers.pageuppeople.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The Dept of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech seeks a #postdoc for a mixed-methods project: Advancing the Competitiveness of Virginia’s Forest Sector Industry. Postdocs here receive excellent employee benefits & a robust training environment.
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Physics Dept @vt-science.bsky.social seeks a #postdoc to work on quantum information theory, quantum error correction, & machine learning. Position for min of 2 years, starting Fall 2026. Excellent employee benefits & training environment. Apply by Feb. 1st!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Details | Postdoctoral Associate | Careers | Division of Human Resources | Virginia Tech
careers.pageuppeople.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Physics Dept @vt-science.bsky.social seeks a #postdoc to work on quantum information theory, quantum error correction, & machine learning. Position for min of 2 years, starting Fall 2026. Excellent employee benefits & training environment. Apply by Feb. 1st!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
#postdoc opening in Dept of Entomology @vtcals.bsky.social studying the cytogenetics & genomics of arboviral vector Aedes aegypti-yellow fever mosquito. Excellent employee benefits (retirement matching, health ins) & training environment. Apply by Nov 28!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Details | Postdoctoral Associate - Cytogenetics | Careers | Division of Human Resources | Virginia Tech
careers.pageuppeople.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
#postdoc opening in Dept of Entomology @vtcals.bsky.social studying the cytogenetics & genomics of arboviral vector Aedes aegypti-yellow fever mosquito. Excellent employee benefits (retirement matching, health ins) & training environment. Apply by Nov 28!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Join the National Postdoctoral Association for this online summit planned for Friday, November 14th.
Through a series of interactive online sessions, the summit aims to identify barriers – and find paths forward – in the broader postdoctoral community.
www.nationalpostdoc.org/page/2025SSH...
Through a series of interactive online sessions, the summit aims to identify barriers – and find paths forward – in the broader postdoctoral community.
www.nationalpostdoc.org/page/2025SSH...
November 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Join the National Postdoctoral Association for this online summit planned for Friday, November 14th.
Through a series of interactive online sessions, the summit aims to identify barriers – and find paths forward – in the broader postdoctoral community.
www.nationalpostdoc.org/page/2025SSH...
Through a series of interactive online sessions, the summit aims to identify barriers – and find paths forward – in the broader postdoctoral community.
www.nationalpostdoc.org/page/2025SSH...
Work @vt-science.bsky.social as a Math #postdoc. Several positions available for 2-year appointments w/ possibility of 1 additional year. You will conduct research in collaboration w/ a Math faculty mentor & teach 1 course per semester. Apply by 11/20!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
Details | Postdoctoral Associate | Careers | Division of Human Resources | Virginia Tech
careers.pageuppeople.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Work @vt-science.bsky.social as a Math #postdoc. Several positions available for 2-year appointments w/ possibility of 1 additional year. You will conduct research in collaboration w/ a Math faculty mentor & teach 1 course per semester. Apply by 11/20!
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...
careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...