Chris Smith

Responsibilities

Chris Smith serves as Virginia Tech’s postdoctoral affairs program administrator, supporting postdoctoral associates through community building, career and professional development programming, and resource development. Smith also assists faculty and administrators in recruiting exceptional postdoctoral talent to the university. By collaborating with campus partners to improve the postdoctoral experience, Smith works to elevate Virginia Tech’s scholarly reputation and research enterprise.

Background

A neuroscientist by training, Smith has served in a variety of roles supporting postdocs at both institutional and national levels. Before joining Virginia Tech, Smith spent three years as postdoctoral affairs program manager at North Carolina State University, where he developed new programs and initiatives to enhance career and professional development for postdoctoral scholars and graduate students. As a postdoctoral associate, Smith held leadership positions with the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association and volunteered in various capacities for the National Postdoctoral Association.

From 2020 to 2025, Smith served on the National Postdoctoral Association Board of Directors, supporting efforts to improve the postdoctoral experience at a national level. He served as vice chair of the board in 2024 and chair in 2025.

Education

Smith earned a bachelors in neuroscience from Furman University and a doctorate in neurobiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Smith’s postdoctoral training was at Vanderbilt University.