Core Competencies

Texas Tech University adopted set of Postdoctoral Core Competencies developed and adopted by the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA). Visit NPA website for a complete Postdoctoral Core Competency Toolkit. 

Discipline-Specific Conceptual Knowledge

• Analytical Approach to Defining Scientific Questions
• Design of Scientifically Testable Hypotheses
• Broad-Based Knowledge Acquisition
• Interpretation and Analysis of Data

Professional/Research Skill Development

• Literature Search Strategies and Effective Interpretation
• Experimental Design
• Statistical Analysis
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Laboratory Techniques and Safety
• Principles of the Peer Review Process

Communication Skills

• Writing
• Speaking
• Teaching
• Interpersonal Skills
• Special Situations

Professionalism

• Workplace
• Institutional
• Collegial
• Universal

Leadership & Management Skills

• Leadership-Strategic Vision
• Leadership-Motivating and Inspiring Others
• Management-Project Management
• Management-Data and Resource Management
• Management-Research Staff Management

Responsible Conduct of Research

• Conflicts of Interest
• Data Ownership and Sharing
• Publication Practices and Responsible Authorship
• Identifying and Mitigating Research Misconduct
• Research with Human Subjects (when applicable)
• Research Involving Animals (when applicable)