Rutgers OPA
Weekly Newsletter | May 10, 2018
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Things you should know...
Dear Rutgers Postdoc community,
This newsletter includes reading material, general announcements, upcoming events, and job opportunities. Scroll down for more information.
Check also our website for a collection of previous OPA weekly newsletter.
Reading Material
How Mentoring Stopped Me Giving Up
It took excellent mentors and a key realisation for Helena Lee to get back on track towards a career in clinical research.
*Article published on Nature
"I was nearing mental exhaustion as I tried to balance my clinical and research work as well as my family commitments. I suffered the worst series of grant and manuscript rejections in my career so far — 11 in a row. I was torn between persisting in seemingly futile attempts to continue in research, or taking a more financially secure and stable non-research job as a full-time medical consultant. I was at breaking point.
That was where my mentors saved me from drowning..." Read more.
Interested in participating in a mentoring program that can help accelerate your career goals and increase your productivity? Apply to the Rutgers Connection Network Mentoring Program. Deadline: May 15.
Scroll down for more information.
INTRODUCTION TO DATA MANAGEMENT FOR RESEARCHERS | May 15
You are invited to join RDI2 for a discussion of best practices for managing research data. The data created as part of research is important, and should be well-organized, well-preserved, accessible, understandable, and usable by the scholarly community. The discussion will include developments in data sharing, data collaboration, reproducible research, and more.
As part of the NSF funded Virtual Data Collaboratory project, RDI2 is developing educational modules to help researchers solve their data issues and increase the impact of their research. Insights and feedback resulting from the discussion will be incorporated into the educational modules.
Date and Time: May 15, 2018 ; 12:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m.
Location:
CoRE Building, Room 701, Busch Campus
(96 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway)
*Note: Use 100 Brett Road for Navigation
Lunch will be provided. No registration necessary.
For additional information, please contact forough.ghahramani@rutgers.edu.
Scroll down to see flyer.
Apply by May 31 | 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 deadline is 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.
SVPAA Events
Apply by May 15 | 2018-19 RUTGERS CONNECTION NETWORK (RCN) MENTORING PROGRAM
Dear Rutgers Postdoc Community,
The Rutgers Connection Network (RCN) Faculty-to-Faculty Mentoring Program - sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs - is a universitywide program that provides the infrastructure, training, and facilitation for you to participate in a yearlong effective and collaborative mentoring partnership beyond the departmental level. Participants are matched based on stated career goals and needs, and are focused on increasing their skills, productivity and perspective.
Through this program, participants can address such issues as their own career advancement or how to help another advance, and they can increase their mentoring skills by participating as a mentee, mentor, or peer-mentor.
Dr. Barbara Lee, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, invites postdoctoral researchers to apply for the RCN Mentoring Program. There will be six spots reserved for postdocs.
By participating in the RCN Mentoring program, you will have the opportunity to develop a set of skills such as networking, mentoring, leadership, communication, management, all of which are essential to be successful in any career path.
If you are passionate about mentoring and helping others further develop their skills, productivity, and career goals, this is a great program and opportunity to apply and become a mentor.
If you are a postdoc in need of mentorship to help sharpen your skills and set and commit to your career goals, this program and opportunity is for you as well.
Interested in Applying?
All interested postdocs, universitywide—from all disciplines, are invited to apply.Please scroll down to see the attached flyer for more information and to apply online by Friday, May 15.
Thank you.
The OPA Team &
RCN Mentoring Program Leadership Team
OPA Events
Drafting Your Specific Aims: A Postdoc Writing Workshop | Register by May 20
Are you submitting a grant proposal in the coming months? If so, this writing-intensive workshop will help you draft a central part of any NIH (and other funders’) award application: the Specific Aims. The aims outline the objectives of your research and give the reviewer a sense of the purpose and proposed outcomes of your project. In this workshop, there will be a brief introduction to some guiding principles and best practices to approaching the Specific Aims. Then, we will transition to conducting a series of writing and peer-review exercises. Bring your laptop and a ready-to-write spirit!
Presented by: Dr. Ben Arenger, Senior Fellowship Adviser, GradFund
When: Thursday, May 31, 2018
Time: 11:30 AM - 2 PM
Where: Rutgers-New Brunswick - Nelson Biology Laboratories, Room D-406
Sponsored by: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
*Light lunch will be provided.
Register here by May 20.
Thursday, May 31, 2018, 11:30 AM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, USA
Rutgers iJOBS Events
iJOBS Workshop: How Staffing Agencies Can Help You Find a Job
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
675 Hoes Lane West
Research Tower, Deans Conference Room 123
Piscataway, 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, Jun 7, 2018, 04:30 PM
675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway Township, NJ, USA
Other Events
Future Faculty Workshop | Grooming Diverse Leaders for the Future University of Delaware | July 18-20, 2018
*On behalf of Dr. Evelyn Erenrich:
The workshop will provide mentorship to senior graduate students and postdoctoral
fellows aspiring to become independent academic researchers in the broad areas of
Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, and Polymer Science, with a focus on soft materials and biomaterials. Eminent professors and workshop alums will cover topics such as the faculty application process, interviewing, proposal writing, networking, choosing research directions, research management, and publication/presentation skills.
The workshop will include numerous discussions, breakout sessions, and active-learning scenarios, and a mentee/mentor ratio of ~3:1 will be maintained to encourage personalized mentoring.
Applications from minorities, women, and other groups underrepresented in science
and engineering are especially encouraged.
Application deadline May 31
For more information, scroll down to see flyer attached.
Anyone who applies should send Dr. Evelyn Erenrich a quick email (erenrich@grad.rutgers.edu) so that we can track Rutgers participation.
Apply by May 25th | STEM Exchange: Research and Career Symposium
STEM Exchange: Research and Career Symposium
Event Date: Tuesday, August 28, 2018
The New York Academy of Sciences
7 World Trade Center, NYC
By Invitation Only — Apply by May 25th!
Are you an exceptional student or early career scientist, anywhere in the world, who's currently conducting research in the fields of engineering, technology, life science or food science? Are you interested in learning about ways your STEM degree can open doors for you in careers outside of academia? If so, apply for the chance to attend the STEM Exchange: Research and Career Symposium, at the New York Academy of Sciences in New York City, on Tuesday, August 28th.
Now in its 10th year (you may be familiar with its former name — Journey Through Science Day), this unique event, co-presented with our partners at PepsiCo, gives 50 exceptional students and early career scientists (MS, PhD, postdoc) the opportunity to present their research, engage with PepsiCo’s R&D leaders, and discover a variety of exciting career paths that can be pursued with a STEM degree.
Eligible applicants from around the world are encouraged to apply — travel awards will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
To be eligible, you must be actively engaged in research relating to at least one of the following fields of study:
- Engineering (Material Sciences, Environmental, Packaging, Chemical, etc.)
- Food Science (Agriculture, Food Chemistry, Sensory Science, etc.)
- Life Science (Nutrition, Biochemistry, Toxicology, etc.)
- Technology (Big Data, Machine Learning, etc.)
NOTE: Your research does NOT need to have a direct application to the food and beverage industry.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MAY 25th
INet NYC | Research Opportunities Abroad | May 15
When: Tuesday, May 15th 2018, 5:30-8 pm
Where: Weill Cornell Medical College,
Weill Auditorium, 1300 York Avenue, NY 10021
Are you a Ph.D. candidate, postdoctoral researcher or a research scientist interested in exploring career opportunities outside of the United States?
Please, join representatives from the UK, Germany, and Switzerland to hear more about opportunities in research and innovation in these countries.
RSVP and find more details about the event here. Hope to see you at the event!
Best,
INet NYC team
INet NYC| After Work Hangout | May 17
INet NYC is hosting its last monthly AFTER WORK hangout before the summer break.
When: Thursday, May 17th 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.
Regular OPA Events
Welcome & Information Session | Friday, May 25 | 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, May 25, 2018, 09:00 AM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
Drop-in Coffee Hour | Friday, June 1
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, Jun 1, 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
Open Postdoctoral positions | Theoretical Physics at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, India
*Thanks to Dr. Barbara Lee for sharing this information.
"Dear Colleagues,
I would like to bring to your attention the opening of a few postdoctoral positions in the fields of statistical physics, nonlinear dynamics, gravitation and cosmology, and high-energy physics at the Department of Physics, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Belur Math, near Kolkata, INDIA.
Applicants are expected to have strong research credentials, and will have the opportunity to engage in independent research, to collaborate with the young and active faculty as well as the doctoral fellows of the department and to take part in occasional teaching activities of the department.
For details on the research being pursued in the department, please follow our departmental website: http://physics.rkmvu.ac.in/ Inquiries about the position may be made to Dr Shamik Gupta (shamik.gupta@rkmvu.ac.in), Asst. Professor in Physics.
The Department of Physics has been running M.Phil. program in Physics since 2008 and regular M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in physics since 2012, with our first batch of M. Sc. students graduating in 2014. The department has an extensive program of visiting scholars and scientists and has quite a few renowned teacher-researchers in various fields as Adjunct Professors and Young Associates. It organizes regular seminars, conferences and workshops in a broad range of topics. The department maintains strong research links with leading national and international research groups. The department is housed at the Belur campus of the university, with an ambiance that is not only picturesque and salubrious just next to the Ganges and the Belur Math, the Headquarters of the worldwide twin organizations, the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission, but also elevating and peaceful—an ideal environ for academic and research activity. The campus is well connected by public transport to the heart of the city of Kolkata (for example, the campus is about half-hour drive from the Kolkata airport and places like New Town and Salk Lake).
Eligibility:
The applicant must have obtained a Ph.D. degree from a recognized University with preferably one stint of post-doctoral experience at any reputed University/Institute in India or abroad.
Terms and conditions of the appointment
The initial appointment of postdoctoral fellows will be for one year, renewable for one more year subject to satisfactory performance. We envisage a target starting date of 1 September 2018, but this is flexible.
The starting fellowship is 50,000 INR per month (consolidated). In addition, the fellows will be offered a research grant of 1 lac INR per annum for attending international conferences and making collaborative research visits.
Application procedure
Application in English must be submitted electronically by sending an email to rkmveri@gmail.com, with a copy to debashis@rkmvu.ac.in and shamik.gupta@rkmvu.ac.in. The application must include the following:
- Complete curriculum vita
- Complete list of publications
- Research plan – description of current and future research plans
- Full contact information (name, address, telephone & email) of two professional referees who may be contacted for letters of reference (At the stage of applying for the position, please do not ask your references to send us any letter. On being short-listed, we will directly contact your referees for letters of reference.)
- Preferences may be given to applicants applying for their second postdoctoral stint.
The deadline for application is 31st July, 2018.
Best regards, Shamik"
--
Shamik Gupta
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