Rutgers OPA
Weekly Newsletter | April 19, 2018
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Things you should know...
Dear Rutgers Postdoc community,
This newsletter includes reading material, general announcements, and upcoming events. Scroll down for more information.
Check also our website for a collection of previous OPA weekly newsletter.
Reading Material
Strategies for effective professional communication and productivity
*Opinion Article published in Inside Higher Ed
"In industry, the phrase “managing up” commonly refers to strategies an employee might use to establish a positive, productive working relationship with their boss. Many of the strategies surrounding increasing productivity, smart time management, leadership and communication in industry can also effectively be applied to academe." Read more.
Retaining Postdoctoral Researchers with Families
*Source: The Pregnant Scholar
"Postdoctoral fellows are the engine that runs scientific discovery in the U.S. But our next generation of brilliant researchers is facing a challenge that their institutions are ill equipped to address–parenthood. Based on institutional data and a survey of nearly 1,000 postdoc parents, Parents in the Pipeline: Retaining Postdoctoral Researchers with Families sheds new light on the impact that parenthood has on the postdoc experience, and what institutions can do to keep postdoc parents in the STEM pipeline.
The report includes:
- Survey and institutional policy data on pregnancy accommodations, paid and unpaid parental leave, attitudes about leave, and benefits for postdoc parents;
- Survey data revealing significant differences in the experiences of postdocs who are immigrants and/or people of color; and,
- Examples and recommendations on how institutions can better support postdoc parents and reduce liability.
Read the report".
Apply Now | I-Corps™ @Rutgers program
Do you have an idea that you think has commercial potential?
Do you want to learn some key concepts helpful in business?
Do you dream of starting a company sometime in the future?
If your answers are yes, then the Rutgers I-Corps™ Site program may be just what you are looking for.
Rutgers I-Corps™ Site is funded by the National Science Foundation. The Site's goal is to nurture and support multiple, local teams to help transition their technology concepts into the marketplace The Rutgers Site will provide advice, resources, networking opportunities, training and modest funding* to assist teams with the commercialization process and/or into becoming applicants for the National I-Corps™ Team.
The Rutgers I-CorpsTM Site will provide support, resources, networking opportunities, training and modest funding* to assist approx. 30 teams per year in transitioning their innovation into the marketplace. Students, faculty, postdocs, and staff from all Rutgers campuses are eligible to apply.
The application period runs from April 16 to May 31, and the next I-Corp sessions will be in July on the Newark campus.
Potential benefits of participating in the Rutgers I-Corps™ Site include:
- Discover a market for your innovation/technology that you had not previously considered.
- Meet other knowledgeable people who can help you with your business/career
- Gain an appreciation for what it takes to commercialize technology and overcome barriers to adoption of innovative ideas.
- Receive designation as an NSF-funded project, opening up further opportunities to apply for training and funding though the NSF’s National I-Corps™ team program ($50,000 grant).
- Expand your knowledge of technology/business; helpful for future funding opportunities
* The Rutgers I-Corps™ Site will reimburse up to $2500 in expenses per team. Examples of supported expenses: travel to consult with potential clients or experts; tradeshow registration; minor prototyping; resources needed to directly advance the goals of transitioning a team’s project into the marketplace.
Those who are interested should contact Mark DeGuzman of Rutgers-Newark at: m.deguzman@rutgers.edu or 973.353.1310 for more information.
Scroll down to see attached flyer.
Leader Wanted to Fill an International Officer Position at NPA | Deadline April 20
The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) seeks applicants for the position of International Officer. The NPA has two International Officers. The International Officers are Board-appointed volunteer leaders within the NPA. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the International Officers provides expertise and advice on international matters affecting or likely to affect the postdoctoral community to the Board and executive director, NPA committee leaders, and to the NPA membership. The new International Officer will work along with the current International Officer and the International task force to address issues of relevance to international postdoctoral scholars.
This position offers opportunities to develop and hone leadership skills, expand professional networks, advance the mission of the NPA, and work with a great group of colleagues across the United States. Most business is accomplished via teleconference and email.
To apply or for more information click here.
Scientists Teaching Science Online Course | NYAS
Are you interested in teaching, but your students doze off during your lectures? Do you find yourself wondering if there’s a better way to teach science than just lecturing with slides and illustrations? How can you tell if your students really understand the information or have memorized vocabulary terms?
Take the online course “Scientists Teaching Science” to learn about active learning, creating course objectives and test items, and finding ways to improve your teaching and assessment techniques for students of all ages. You'll discover the latest research-based techniques used by model instructors around the world.
For more information and registration click here.
Call for Applications |The Mistletoe Research Fellowship Deadline: May 16, 2018
*On behalf of Dr. Paul Copeland:
The Mistletoe Foundation is delighted to welcome applications to the inaugural Mistletoe Research Fellowship program for the 2018-2019 academic year. The application is available via the online portal at our website (http://mistletoefound.org) and applications will be accepted starting Monday, April 16th through May 16th.
The Mistletoe Research Fellowship fosters the development of new competencies in postdoctoral scholars and advanced PhD candidates (with permission) by offering unrestricted research funding and professional development training which includes entrepreneurial collaboration. All Mistletoe Fellows participate in two programs designed to build skills that will help Fellows to succeed and work more effectively with outside collaborators, whether they seek industry careers or remain in academia:
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The Unfettered Research Grant
Provides fellowship recipients with USD $10,000 of unrestricted research funding that can be applied to any university-approved research-related activity, including conference travel.
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The Startup Collaboration
An extracurricular training program in which Fellows form interdisciplinary teams and learn to apply their scholarship and expertise to help frontier startups to further the development of products with a high potential for social and humanitarian impact
Fellows are expected to attend a three-day summer Matching Workshop in which they are onboarded and introduced to startups, mentors, investors, and community partners. Once the academic year begins, the Startup Collaboration takes place using our state-of-the-art online community platform.
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The Mistletoe Foundation will award up to 39 competitive fellowship opportunities to postdoctoral scholars and advanced PhD candidates from a small cohort of R1 partner universities. Postdoc participants must remain full-time postdoctoral fellows throughout the 2018-2019 academic calendar year. PhD candidates should be "all but dissertation" and maintain full-time student status with stipend support for the duration of the 2018-2019 academic calendar year. At this time, Mistletoe Research Fellowships are open to most STEM fields and some fields of Social Science.
These fields broadly include:
Engineering, Life Sciences, Health Science, Computer Science, Environmental Studies / Ecology / Earth Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Statistics / Data Science / Informatics, and Psychological and Brain Sciences.
Applicants will be evaluated by the selection committee for their research potential, interest in interdisciplinary work and collaboration, and interest in entrepreneurship
or in social and humanitarian projects.
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All proposals must be submitted via the online application system by
11:59pm Pacific Time on Wednesday, May 16th, 2018.
Please scroll down to see the attached application instructions
for further information regarding eligibility and a detailed application checklist.
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Please see our website for a detailed program FAQ that offers further information on all aspects of our program.
If you are ready and have read the application instructions, click below to apply.
The Mistletoe Foundation is a California public-benefit nonprofit dedicated to scientific and technological advancement for the public good. Our mission is to build bridges between the academic, entrepreneurial, and civil communities to create a more human-centered and sustainable future through technology. Working in partnership with the Mistletoe, Inc. venture community founded by serial entrepreneur Taizo Son in 2013, we bring together founders, researchers, investors, and visionaries who share the lofty ambition of addressing the problems humanity faces in the near and long-term future.
Learn more at http://mistletoefound.org
Rutgers iJOBS Events
Applications for Phase 2 of iJOBS are Now Open!
*On behalf of Dr. Janet Alder:
Brief description of Phase 2: The career panels, site visits and workshops that constitute Phase 1 will continue next Fall and we hope you will participate in them actively. If you are also interested in getting more involved in iJOBS to pursue shadowing and coursework in your area of interest, we have opened Phase 2 applications for grad students, postdocs, and alumni of Rutgers, Princeton, Stevens, Rowan, and NJIT.
Phase 2 applications require at least 12 hours of Phase 1 activities, a personal statement, permission from your PI, and a letter of recommendation from your PI or another faculty member. Grad students must be in good academic standing and have completed the proposition qualifier by Fall 2018 to apply. Postdocs and alumni may apply at any stage
Applications are due by May 4 and admissions decisions will be made by June 4. Phase 2 for 2018 will start in September.
Please scroll down to see the attached application, FAQ and follow instructions carefully.
iJOBS is co-sponsoring the GRO Biopharma Conference | April 25
GRO-Biotech is connecting the strong intellectual capital of New York’s top graduate research institutions with the growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical presence int he tristate area. GRO Biopharma conference features speakers from leading Pharma companies, a Venture Capital panel, a Biotech startup panel and Networking sessions. This is a student organized event and our iJOBS students are helping plan the day. See attached flyer for details of speakers.
When: April 25 from 2-7pm at NYU Langone Health
Register by April 1 by clicking here.
Location:
NYU Langone Health, Farkas Auditorium
550 1st Avenue
New York, NY
About GRO-Biotech
Founded in 2015, GRO-Biotech is a coalition of graduate biotechnology organizations from the top life sciences programs in NYC (NYU, Cornell, Mount Sinai, CUNY Hunter, Columbia, Rockefeller, Sloan Kettering, and Albert Einstein) with a reach of over 500 graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral researchers, and clinicians.
Our mission is to provide our members with opportunities to learn about areas of drug development, healthcare, business, and life sciences entrepreneurship that they might not otherwise encounter in a traditional science training program.
Wednesday, Apr 25, 2018, 02:00 PM
550 1st Avenue, NY, New York, USA
Waitlist | iJOBS Site Visit: Bristol Myers Squibb
Come spend the day at Bristol-Myers Squibb. You will meet PhD level employees in the pharmaceutical branch and tour the facility in Princeton site which is an early discovery site with Research & Development (R&D) laboratories focused on cardiovascular disease, offices and support services. Bristol-Myers Squibb is a differentiated company, led by their unique BioPharma strategy that leverages the reach and resources of a major pharma company paired with the entrepreneurial spirit and agility of a biotech firm.
This event is full but you can add your name to the waitlist here.
Location:
Bristol Myers Squibb Princeton Campus
3551 Lawrencville Road
Seminar Room B0.93E
Princeton, NJ 08540
iJOBS offers transportation. Limited spaces are available. Registration is required.
Have questions about this iJOBS event? Contact Rutgers iJOBS Program Directors:
Janet Alder; janet.alder@rutgers.edu
Susan Engelhardt; engels@soe.rutgers.edu
Doreen Badheka; badhekdk@gsbs.rutgers.edu
Thursday, May 3, 2018, 09:00 AM
3551 Lawrenceville Road, Princeton, NJ, USA
Waitlist | iJOBS Primer: Immuno-Oncology at BMS
Learn about immuno-oncology research at Bristol-Myers Squibb and how this cutting edge approach to treating cancer works at the mechanistic level. Then tour the facility at BMS in Lawrenceville where this research is taking place and meet the scientists who are involved in the studies. Bristol-Myers Squibb is a differentiated company, led by their unique BioPharma strategy that leverages the reach and resources of a major pharma company paired with the entrepreneurial spirit and agility of a biotech firm.
This event is full but you can add your name to the waitlist here. Location: Bristol Myers Squibb iJOBS offers transportation. Limited spaces are available. Registration is required. Janet Alder; janet.alder@rutgers.edu
Route 206 Province Line Rd
Lawrenceville, NJ 08540
Have questions about this iJOBS event? Contact Rutgers iJOBS Program Directors:
Susan Engelhardt; engels@soe.rutgers.edu
Doreen Badheka; badhekdk@gsbs.rutgers.edu
Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 10:00 AM
Route 206 Province Line Rd Lawrenceville, NJ 08540
Other Events
INet NYC After Work Hangout | April 19
INet NYC is hosting its monthly AFTER WORK hangout.
When: Thursday, April 19th 2018, starting 7 pm
Where: Five Mile Stone, 1640 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Come and meet other fellow scientists from various institutions in the NYC area outside the lab in a relaxed atmosphere. This is great opportunity to meet new people, exchange ideas and share common interests. The overall goal is to create a local community of national and international STEM scientists affiliated with institutions in the NYC area.
Please RSVP on our Facebook event if you plan to attend.
Best,
INet NYC team
STEM-Entrepreneurship Information Session | Science Center QED Program | April 27
*Thanks to Mark Deguzman for sharing this information.
Chris Pflaum, Venture Analyst from the Office of Research Commercialization has an upcoming Info Session about the Science Center QED Program on April 27th in Newark (location TBD)
The QED Program helps support and encourage technology commercialization and STEM-Entrepreneurship through funding and mentorship over 12 months.
Here is the link to the 2018 opportunity with upcoming deadlines in May: https://www.sciencecenter.org/discover/qed#/tab/how-to-apply/
The QED proof-of-concept program gives academic researchers mentoring, business advice, and in some cases funding, to commercialize their early-stage life science and healthcare technologies.
The projects selected to participate in the program receive:
- Customized coaching from industry experts
- Exposure to the investment community
- Support to develop a commercialization funding roadmap
INSPIRE Seminar | Active Learning: Engage Diverse Student Populations | Reserve your space for lunch by April 26
*On behalf of Dr. Jennifer Fragale, Rutgers INSPIRE Postdoctoral Fellow, RWJMS:
"This seminar will feature education researcher Dr. Scott Freeman who will be visiting from the University of Washington to discuss his research on the effects of active learning strategies on undergraduate student performance. Dr. Freeman’s work has been published in several top-tier journals including Science and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. There will also be a free lunch to follow and we are arranging private meetings for interested individuals."
Sincerely,
Jennifer Fragale
Postdoctoral Fellow
Aston-Jones Lab
Brain Health Institute
Rutgers University/Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
PI Crash Course at Columbia University | Discounted Registration Fee Ends: April 30
*On behalf of The Columbia PI Crash Course Team
Columbia.SPH.PI@gmail.com
There is a need to intensively train new investigators on key dry/wet lab leadership and management skills that are not fully developed at the postdoc stage. To do this, we've created a new two-day training for our east coast colleagues to learn from successful lab leaders from Columbia, Mt. Sinai, and the New York Genome Center.
April 30th Early-bird deadline approaching!
The early-bird registration deadline is quickly approaching for the June 11-12, 2018 PI Crash Course at Columbia University! The discounted registration fee for this limited-capacity Crash Course will end April 30, 2018.
Overview: The PI Crash Course: Skills for Future and New Lab Leaders is a new, two-day intensive workshop focused on skills not fully developed as a postdoc. Seminars, discussions, and hands-on sessions will provide fundamental leadership and management skills and tools needed for success in your dry or wet lab. Postdocs, research scientists, new PIs, and current PIs are welcome to attend.
Instructors: The Crash Course will be led by experienced and successful laboratory leaders from Columbia University, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and the New York Genome Center.
Feel free to email us with any questions at Columbia.SPH.PI@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you and your colleagues in June!
New England Future Faculty Workshop | Application Deadline: May 1
*On behalf of Dr. Natalie Batmanian, Director of the Office for the Promotion of Women in
Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (SciWomen/WiSEM):
"We invite late-stage PhD students and postdoctoral scholars to participate in the New England Future Faculty Workshop for Underrepresented Groups in STEM Fields (NE-FFW) on the Northeastern University campus in Boston, Massachusetts on July 10, 2018.
The NE-FFW is designed specifically for underrepresented groups in STEM fields who are late-stage PhD students and postdoctoral scholars and interested in an academic career.
The NE-FFW is focused on the academic job search. The format of the one-day workshop includes faculty-led interactive discussions and peer-to-peer interactions.
Workshop topics include:
- Finding Your Institutional Fit
- Standing Out in the Interview
- Reviewing CVs
- Developing a Research Statement
- Negotiating the Job Offer, and more.
To learn more about the New England Future Faculty Workshop for Underrepresented Groups in STEM Fields, go to: http://www.northeastern.edu/advance/recruitment/future-faculty-workshop/
To participate in the NE-FFW, there are several steps interested people need to take:
1. Apply online by May 1, 2018.
a. Submit a 300-word statement about why they want to participate
b. Submit a CV
c. Submit a diversity statement (1 page or less)
2. Await notification of acceptance on May 16, 2018
3. Confirm participation in the workshop by paying a $50 registration fee by June 1, 2018
This unique opportunity is one they will not want to miss.
Warm regards,
NE-FWW Planning Committee
Penny Beuning, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University
Charisse Pickron, Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Jan Rinehart, Executive Director ADVANCE Office of Faculty Development, Northeastern University
Erinn Taylor de Barroso, Assistant Director ADVANCE Office of Faculty Development, Northeastern University."
Erinn Taylor de Barroso
Assistant Director
ADVANCE Office of Faculty Development
Northeastern University
Scroll down to see flyer.
SAPA 2018 Career Development Workshop “The Missing Piece” | May 19
*On behalf of Dr. Janet Alder:
“To foster the career growth of pharmaceutical professionals” is one of SAPA’s core missions. The SAPA Career Development Workshop (CDW) is a premier event to fulfill this mission, aimed to focus on you –– the participant’s individual needs. No matter which career stage you are at, come to join the 2018 SAPA Career Development Workshop (CDW) on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Rutgers University, to find “the Missing Piece” linked to your professional success, and leap into your bright future.
The 2018 CDW Organization Committee has planned diligently in the past few months in order to present you a new learning opportunity. Instead of teaching-centric, we are presenting you a new workshop style experience this time with a dynamic platform to connect people together. This will help you find out on what really matters in your own career development. This includes identifying the root cause for misconceptions and leadership derailers, and searching for optimal solutions for the hot topics of your concerns. We will also host a job fair with many recruiters, hiring managers with new job openings. Come to unlock your potential and enhance your professional experience. You can register by clicking here, You are also welcome to join the dinner network event ($25 per person). If you have any question, concern, or suggestion, please email: SAPA2018CDW@gmail.com. Please scroll down to see attached flyer.
Regular OPA Events
Welcome & Information Session | Friday, April 27 | Registration Required
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs offers Welcome and Information Sessions to help orient new and current postdocs. If you are a postdoc who is new to Rutgers, or just curious about the resources that are available to you, we strongly encourage you to register for an upcoming one-hour session.
Next session will be, April 27. Please register today as space is limited.
Time: 9–10 a.m. or 11 a.m.–noon
Where: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs with Dr. Itzamarie Chevere-Torres located at Busch Campus, Nelson Biology Laboratories, Room D354. Registration is required.
For more information about sessions at Newark, contact Dr. Doreen Badheka badhekdk@gsbs.rutgers.edu on Newark Campus: Medical Science Building, Room H645.
Friday, Apr 27, 2018, 09:00 AM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
Drop-in Coffee Hour | Friday, May 4
If you are a postdoc interested in learning more about how to make the most of your time at Rutgers, prepare for life after Rutgers, or just want to share some coffee or tea in a safe space, come by and visit.
Location:
Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Nelson Biology Laboratories, Room D354.
Registration is not required.
Friday, May 4, 2018, 02:00 PM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
Individual Career Advising Sessions
If you're a postdoc looking for perspective on how to navigate your career path or career transition, contact Itzamarie Chevere-Torres to schedule an appointment.
For Newark postdocs, contact Doreen Badheka to schedule an appointment. Individual career counseling sessions for Newark postdocs will be at the Medical Science Building, Room H645.
Fellowship Advising Sessions for Postdocs
Do you want additional feedback or guidance on your grant or fellowship proposal? Do you want to learn about grants and fellowships to support your postdoctoral training at Rutgers?
Schedule an appointment with Ben Arenger, Senior Fellowship Adviser, for an individual fellowship advising session.
Ben is available every Tuesday at our office by appointment only.
Is your faculty mentor exceptional?
Do you have a faculty mentor who has made a real difference in your life? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us opa@oq.rutgers.edu
Rutgers Universitywide, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
Reporting to the University-wide Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, and committed to advancing the University’s mission to conduct cutting-edge research and advanced training, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs supports postdoctoral researchers and their faculty mentors by providing a central hub for professional development, knowledge sharing, and community building opportunities.
Location:
Nelson Biology Laboratories
Suite D350
604 Allison Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Email: opa@oq.rutgers.edu
Website: https://postdocs.rutgers.edu/
Location: 604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 848-445-1800