Rutgers OPA
Weekly Newsletter | March 22, 2018
Things you should know...
Dear Rutgers Postdoc community,
This newsletter includes upcoming events and general announcements. Scroll down for more information.
Check also our website for a collection of previous OPA weekly newsletter.
Rutgers Postdoctoral Association Events
Poster Session & Science Art Show
Register and submit your abstract or science-art piece here by March 23.
Tomorrow last day to register! Friday, March 23
Prepare for Your Next Career Step |Rutgers Postdoctoral Research Symposium | April 13
This year the Rutgers Postdoctoral Association will celebrate its 9th Annual Postdoctoral Symposium!
The event is organized by Rutgers postdoc volunteers, for you!
Take a break from your experiments,
think about your next career step and meet your colleagues!
Everyone is welcome to attend, postdocs and graduate students especially.
The event is free.
The symposium will feature:
- Three career panels: International PhDs in the US: Challenges and Advice, Research Careers and Non-Research Careers.
- Interview and Negotiating Skills for PhDs Workshop
- Research Poster Session (award will be given for the top two posters)
- The Science Art Show (award will be given for the best artwork)
- Keynote address by Dr. Adam Ruben, scientist, writer and comedian
Registration for the Symposium, Poster and Science Art Show submissions are now open. Click here to register before March 23. We ask you to please make an effort to attend if you register.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date:
Friday, April 13, 2018
Location:
Great Hall and Main Auditorium
RWJMS Research Tower (Busch Campus)
675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Schedule:
9:45-10:30 Check-In, Registration, Poster and Artwork setup
10:30-12:00 Career Panel: International PhDs in the US: Challenges and Advice
11:45-12:45 Lunch/Vendor Session
12:45-2:15 Career Panels: Research Careers. Non-research Careers.
2:15-3:00 Poster Session and the Science Art Show. Coffee and Snacks.
3:00-4:20 Workshop: Interview and Negotiating Skills for PhDs
4:30-5:40 Plenary Session: Introduction to the Postdoctoral Association and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Keynote Address by Dr. Adam Ruben.
6:20 – Onward Happy Hour, Networking. Location TBA.
Contact rutgerspda@gmail.com for more details and questions.
We are looking for volunteers!
Sponsored by Rutgers Postdoctoral Association, Rutgers Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Rutgers AUUP-AFT,Rutgers Global, SAPA, Rutgers iJOBS, & USA Scientific
Scroll down to see and download flyer!
Rutgers iJOBS Events
iJOBS Career Panel: Women in Academic Biology
Come hear from a representation of the many female faculty at Rutgers who are successfully running biology research labs, teaching, performing university service and keeping a balanced life. They will share their stories and advice. It can be done! Approximately 52% of PhD students the life sciences are women, but only about 40% of postdocs, 36% of assistant professors, and 18% of full professors in biology are women (Sheltzer and Smith 2014). We will discuss the leaky pipeline and how to encourage more women to pursue tenure track positions in the biological sciences. We will also discuss unconscious bias against women in STEM. Come be inspired by the panelists and contribute to this important conversation!
Register here.
Location:
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
675 Hoes Lane West
CABM 010
Piscataway, NJ 08854
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
Tuesday, Mar 27, 2018, 03:30 PM
675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway Township, NJ, USA
iJOBS Workshop: What is a research analyst? A case-based session about working in the biotech investment space
Join Rachel Sy, PhD for a look into the strategic thinking that drives investing in the biotech space. We will start with a molecular overview of a therapeutic space and the current landscape, including the approved drugs and their efficacy. We will use this knowledge as a baseline from which to step through the various considerations that can influence the success of a new drug.
Register here.
Location:
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
675 Hoes Lane West
Research Tower, Deans Conference Room 123
Piscataway, NJ 08854
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, Apr 5, 2018, 04:30 PM
675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway Township, NJ, USA
Other Events
Data Science Roundtable Seminar Series | March 27
The Art of Networking: Tips and Pointers for Strengthening your Network
NETWORKING WORKSHOP | THURSDAY, MARCH 29 | Registration Open Now
*On behalf of Dr. Doreen Badheka and the Alliance for Career Advancement at RBHS:
Networking is the #1 word we hear in every career event - long-lasting connections will very likely help you land on that job interview. In this workshop, Ashley Rae Kark will teach us "the art of networking" and how to make the best impression.
Topics include: introduction, business cards, thank you notes, and more. Masters and doctoral students, as well as postdocs are welcome to this event.
Please register here. For more information contact Doreen Badheka, aca.njms.rutgers@gmail.com or dk731@gsbs.rutgers.edu.
Scroll down to see flyer.
Date & Time:
Thursday, March 29, 2018 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Location:
Rosemary Gellene room
Medical Science Building
185 South Orange Avenue
Newark, NJ 07103
SACNAS New England Meeting | April 21, 2018
*On behalf of Dr. Martha Soto:
SACNAS New England Meeting
April 21, 2018
UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA
This SACNAS Regional Meeting focuses on "Scientists as Advocates and Agents for Social Change." In addition to workshops surrounding this theme, SACNAS NE gives an opportunity to present your research!
To learn more about the conference,
Regular OPA Events
Welcome & Information Session | Friday, March 30 | 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, March 30th. 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, Mar 30, 2018, 09:00 AM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
Drop-in Coffee Hour | Friday, April 6 (Weather Permitting)
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, Apr 6, 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
Would you like to be our featured postdoc of the month?
Rutgers is proud to be home to a vibrant and growing community of over 600 postdocs! Would you like to highlight your research or your career goals on our website?
Contact us opa@oq.rutgers.edu
Travel Funding | 2018 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference | Application Deadline: April 13
*On behalf of Dr. Evelyn Erenrich:
Are you interested in expanding your professional network, presenting your research, and promoting diversity and inclusion at a conference in San Antonio, Texas? Apply for a travel award for the 2018 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference, October 11-13. Application deadline is April 13.
SACNAS has the mission to foster success of students, postdocs, and career professionals in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and leadership positions in STEM, including social and behavioral sciences. Individuals from any background who are committed to diversity and inclusion are invited to participate. Steps:
1. Apply here for Travel Scholarships and Research Presentations (travel awardees must be US citizens or permanent residents)
2. Join SACNAS if you are not already a member (only $15 for students)
3. Let the Rutgers team know you are applying by completing a 30-second response form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RPK7YCC .
4. Obtain PI/Mentor approval to attend.
Attendees will have the opportunity tovolunteer as Rutgers Ambassadors at our exhibit booth. You can make a difference!
Dr. Evelyn Erenrich, RU- SACNAS Advisor
Ileana Marrero - Berríos and Isabel Perez, RU-SACNAS Steering Committee
Questions? Contact Ileana at im160@scarletmail.rutgers.edu
4 new funding programs to welcome international students and researchers in France | Deadline April 6
*On behalf of Jacquelyn Williams, Office of Research Administration:
We are pleased to introduce you to 4 new funding programs, related to environmental sciences and climate change, recently granted under the “Make Our Planet Great Again” label.
Numerous outstanding students, researchers, entrepreneurs around the globe have already given a positive response to the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron’s initiative launched in June 2017.
Within this framework, the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation offer:
- 50 excellence grants to pursue a master's degree in France
- 20 co-financing of PhD programs in France
- 20 co-financing of postdoctoral research contracts
- 40 funding of short research stays (14 days to 5 months) for international researchers and PhD students
Calls for applications are now open and will close on April 6, 2018 (March 30th for the PhD programs). For more information and to apply, please visit: http://makeourplanetgreatagain.campusfrance.org
We remain at your disposal for any further information, and thank you in advance for making this information available to all relevant contacts.
Sincerely,
Contacts
Campus France Agency: mopga@campusfrance.org
Campus France USA, Embassy of France in the U.S.: makeourplanetgreatagainus@campusfrance.org
Postdoc Mentoring Up Workshop | Big Ten Center, Chicago, IL, May 20-21 | Registration Deadline: Next Week! March 31
Dear Postdocs,
On behalf of the National Research Mentoring Network’s NRMN-CAN Program, of which Rutgers is a participant, I’m happy to invite you to apply to attend a Postdoc Mentoring Up Workshop, to be held May 20-21, 2018, at the Big Ten Center in Chicago, IL. Full funding is provided. This evidence-based workshop uses a process-based training approach to strengthen your current research mentoring experiences and research productivity, approaching the topic from both sides of the relationship. You’ll reflect on how to be a more responsive mentor as well as a more proactive mentee as a postdoc. You’ll also have the opportunity to network with postdocs and faculty from across the Big Ten Academic Alliance.
Registration deadline: March 31, 2018.All conference and travel expenses are provided by NRMN-CAN. Space is limited; apply early.
See the invitation here (also attached, scroll down) for more information and registration links.
Questions? Contact me or Dr. Laurie Risner, NRMN Program Coordinator.
------------
Evelyn S. Erenrich, PhD
Associate Dean
Director, Center for Graduate Recruitment, Retention and Diversity (GR2aD)
Visiting Assoc. Professor, Chemistry & Chemical Biology
Executive Committee, Big Ten Academic Alliance National Research Mentoring Network
Director, RiSE at Rutgers Summer Research
848.932.9286 or 848.932.6584
INSPIRE Postdoctoral Fellowships | Rolling Admission begin April 1st
*On behalf of Dr. Martha Soto and the INSPIRE Biomedical Science Education Postdoctoral Training Program:
Dear Colleagues:
We appreciate your help reaching senior graduate students and beginning postdoctoral fellows who combine excellence in research with a strong interest in education, who may wish to apply for the 2018-2019 INSPIRE Postdoctoral Fellowships, funded by a prestigious IRACDA grant from the NIH to Rutgers-RWJMS. We begin reviewing applications April 1st, on a rolling basis, until we fill our spots for Fall 2018.
INSPIRE Fellows can be supported for up to three years at the NIH stipend level, they receive health insurance, travel funds, and educational supply funds. Fellows spend 70% of their time conducting research at a Rutgers lab, and 30% in educational and career development training. Our program thus addresses two goals: to prepare recent Ph.D. recipients for careers as educators and biomedical scientists, and to increase the interest of undergraduates underrepresented in science in undergraduate research and careers in biomedical sciences.
INSPIRE has a successful record in addressing its two goals:
Placement of Fellows in academic tenure-track positions: 70% of Fellows who received training and exited INSPIRE obtained tenure-track academic positions, 22% at MSIs (institutions with a demonstrated commitment to educating students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research).
Support of undergraduates at our partner schools: INSPIRE Fellows and associated faculty have expanded educational and biomedical research training opportunities for undergraduates at our three partner institutions, New Jersey City University, NJCU, William Patterson University, WPU and Medgar Evers College – CUNY. Fellows and their mentors have developed and revised courses, offered summer research opportunities, and research collaborations/exchanges between Rutgers and the partner schools. Fellows also mentor undergraduates on how to apply for summer research programs and to graduate school programs.
Application deadline for 2018-2019 INSPIRE Fellowship: Rolling admissions begin April 1st with May 2018 interviews. Application forms and further information are available on our website at: http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/research/postdoc/inspire/apply.html
Eligibility: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents only. Postdoctoral fellows with 0-1 years of postdoctoral training will receive preference.
Please direct questions about the Program or the application process to our wonderful Program Support Coordinator, Dr. Jianping Xu at: jx120@rwjms.rutgers.edu
We thank you for forwarding this message and attached pdf flyer to interested students and postdocs.
Martha Soto, Ph.D., PI and Co-Director
Gary Brewer, Ph.D., Co-PI and Co-Director
INSPIRE* Postdoctoral Training Program
*INSPIRE (IRACDA New Jersey/New York for Science Partnerships in Research and Education)
Website: http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/research/postdoc/inspire/index.html
Scroll down to see flyer.
Reading Material
Time’s Up for Harassers in Academia
*Article published in The PostDocket|NPA Newsletter
"Beyond the chilling effect of discrimination and bias on career satisfaction of women and other historically underrepresented groups in STEM, harassment results in outright hostile climates contributing to low retention rates. Academia is having a slow but consistent #MeToo movement, with stories of sexual harassment increasingly coming to light. These stories have highlighted the failure of institutions to sanction repeat offenders.
Multiple factors contribute to a permissive culture of harassment in academic institutions, including power imbalances created by their archaic hierarchical structures; the master-apprentice model of training whereby one faculty member can exert inordinate control over the careers of their graduate students and postdoctoral scholars; intense competition for funding and resources; and the supremacy of publications and awards over personal relationships". Read more.