Rutgers OPA
Weekly Newsletter | November 22, 2017
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.
The OPA Team wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!
We are thankful for your heartfelt support and encouragement, and we look forward to continuing providing the resources you need for your career development at Rutgers and help you achieve your goals.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day and weekend.
Itzamarie, Carmen, & Yvonne
Welcome & Information Session
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 on November 29th. Please register 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.
Wednesday, Nov 29, 2017, 09:00 AM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
Drop-in Coffee Hour
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, Dec 1, 2017, 02:00 PM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
Rutgers OPA Workshops
Project Management: Essential Skills for Success | Two Session Event: Session 1, December 14 & Session 2, January 24
You already possess much of the skills and experience to be successful in a project management role in business. The purpose of this two-session workshop is to reinforce further your knowledge and ability to translate and transition those skills by providing you with terminology and techniques that will connect your postdoctoral academic background to the industry.
Session 1: We will discuss the topics of project definition and project planning with an emphasis on the differences and similarities of doing project management in an academic setting versus an industry setting.
Session 2: We will discuss the topics of project execution and project closure with an emphasis on the differences and similarities of doing project management in an academic setting versus an industry setting.
- Date | Session 1: Thursday, December 14, 2017
- Date | Session 2: Wednesday, January 24, 2018
- Location | Session 1: Center of Alcohol Studies
Conference Room 219
607 Allison Rd, Piscataway, 08854
- Location | Session 2: Deans Conference Room
Research Tower, RWJMS
675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, 08854
- Time | Session 1 & 2: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Sponsor: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
- Workshop Presented by: Ella Blue, PMP, PgMP,Senior Manager at Johnson & Johnson.
This is a two-session event. However, you only need to register once. Register by December 1.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Thursday, Dec 14, 2017, 02:00 PM
607 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
Rutgers Postdoctoral Association Events
Rutgers PDA Adopts a Family!
Rutgers Postdoctoral Association (PDA) will be participating in the 9th annual Rutgers Against Hunger Adopt-A-Family campaign!!!
Our adopted family has two members: Timonty, a 45 year old father, and his 6 year old son, Thomas.
The purpose is to provide families in need with food/clothes/toys/money for the holiday season. We highly encourage you to contribute in any way you can. Please get all donations to me by December 1st.
Let’s help Timonty and Thomas enjoy the holiday
Here’s how you can contribute:
- Funds. Here’s an Indiegogo page to submit monetary donations. At the end of the campaign, I’ll put that money on a gift card for Walmart (their requested store).
- Buy goods. Please check what items are already provided in this google sheet and put down what you will donate in this google form before buying, so we don’t end up buying only 15 jars of jam… Their requests are listed, but feel free to add new items. Checkout the document below for instructions and guidelines on what to buy (e.g. no glass jars).
Drop-off locations for goods:
- Anthony’s office:
E359 Serin Physics Building (Busch campus)
I am in and out of my office. Try to give me a heads up to make sure I am around. - Or at the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs:
Nelson Building Laboratories, Suite D-350 (Busch Campus) - Or I would be happy to pick things up from you or we can coordinate for these things to get to me off-campus, just get in touch!
Feel free to get in touch with me on via facebook or email me at: difranzo.anthony@gmail.com
Anthony DiFranzo
Social Outreach Coordinator
Rutgers Postdoctoral Association
Rutgers iJOBS Events
iJOBS Site Visit: Ferring Pharmaceutical
Meet PhD level employees at Ferring Pharmaceuticals which uses peptide-based drugs and biotechnology-derived medicine to improve healthcare. Tour their new U.S. Operations Center which includes a state-of-the-art manufacturing suite and next-generation product development laboratories
iJOBS offers transportation. Limited spaces are available. Registration is required.
For registration, visit iJOBS calendar events page.
Rutgers iJOBS Site Visit Overview
What should I expect from a site visit?
You can expect to learn more about the organization, recruitment process and any internship, volunteer and full time opportunities. Also, you will experience the company culture and network with HR personnel, staff members, and/or alumni working at the organization.
To make the most of your visit, we encourage you to:
- Research the company (website, recent news) and industry trends. Also search for any recent news about the organization and know about its products and services. Prepare a list of questions and bring a pen and paper to take notes, which will help with any follow up.
- Identify possible career opportunities through their website and through career services
- Prepare questions (culture of the organization, product and services, etc.)
- Act professionally; Although a site visit is not an interview, your contribution on the day can lead to an ongoing relationship with the organization. Also, as a representative of Rutgers University, you make a positive impression by showing an interest in the day’s activities and asking well-researched questions.
What is the dress code for visit?
Unless indicated by the particular visit, we encourage you to dress in business casual
(Men: Khakis or slacks, collared shirts, ties may be optional, casual shoes but not sneakers or sandals; Women: Skirts, dresses or khakis/slacks with blouses or sweaters, high heels or flats but no sneakers or sandals)
What is the site visit cancellation policy?
We ask for 72 HOURS ADVANCED NOTICE if you need to cancel. Names of students on the RSVP list are provided to employers in advance for security and capacity reasons. If you do not show up to the site visit you will be contacted to come in and speak with a member of the iJOBS Program to explain your absence. As an ambassador of Rutgers University, you negatively impact not only your own reputation but also the University’s relationship with an employer. You also take the space of a student on the wait list. We appreciate your support in the success of site visits by adhering to our policy.
Thursday, Nov 30, 2017, 02:30 PM
100 Interpace Pkwy, Parsippany, NJ, United States
Career Development Events & Opportunities at Newark
Alumnus story: A career in Teaching at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs)
Invited speaker: Melissa Baralt, Ph.D., Professor, Berkley College and Adjunct Professor, Montclair State University (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-baralt-5a444612/)
Topics for discussion: Career path, Curriculum development, and Pedagogy
Room C686, Medical Science Building, MSB, Newark, NJ
Monday, Dec 4, 2017, 10:00 AM
185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, United States
Improvisational Techniques for Effective Communication
This event is open to junior faculty (instructor, assistant professor) and postdoctoral fellows in science-related disciplines
Faculty speakers:
Nicholas M. Ponzio
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and School of Graduate Studies
David Dannenfelser
Rutgers School of Arts & Sciences – Theater Arts
Location:
Room B619, Medical Science Building
Newark, NJ
For more information or to register click here.
Sponsored by the Office of Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Questions/Suggestions: Please contact doreen.badheka@rutgers.edu
Wednesday, Dec 6, 2017, 10:00 AM
185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, United States
Apply Now - Four Spots Available| OASIS Leadership & Professional Development Program | Applications Due: December 8
*On behalf of Beth Tracy, Senior Director for Faculty Development:
Want to Be More Effective LEADING & COLLABORATING?
Need a Fresh Strategy to Get Your WRITING & RESEARCH Done?
Want to Increase Your CONNECTIONS to ACADEMIC COMMUNITIES?
We invite academic women from all Rutgers campuses and all disciplines to participate. OASIS accelerates career development and advancement through a combination of interactive workshops, peer mentoring, and individual coaching.
Four spots are available for female postdoctoral researchers in Newark.
Applications are due December 8th, 2017 for the spring 2018 program.
Location: Rutgers-Newark Campus
For more information and to apply see attached flyer at the end of this newsletter, and visit http://academicaffairs.rutgers.edu/oasis-leadership-professional-development
Beth Tracy
Senior Director for Faculty Development
Other Events
2018 NPA Annual Conference | Registration is now open!
The NPA Annual Conference is the largest national conference and networking event dedicated to the postdoctoral community. Conference attendees - postdoctoral scholars, administrators, faculty, and representatives from disciplinary societies, industry, and corporations - are provided with the opportunity to gather and enhance their professional development and leadership skills.
Lydia Villa-Komaroff, Ph.D., has been confirmed as keynote speaker at the conference. Villa-Komaroff, a molecular biologist, executive, and diversity advocate, is a consultant and speaker, and founder of Intersections, SBD. She is a founding member of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/ Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), having served as a board member and vice president in the past, and currently serving as a member of the Committee of Senior Advisors. See her full bio here.
Alison Gammie, Ph.D., and Rafael Luna, Ph.D., have been confirmed as plenary speakers.Alison Gammie, Ph.D., is the director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD).
As the executive director of the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) and the principal investigator (PI) of the Administrative Core of NRMN located at Boston College, Rafael E. Luna, Ph.D., utilizes data analytics to strategically grow NRMN and effectively reach all 50 states, including Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.
The 2018 NPA Annual Conference will take place April 6 - 8, 2018, at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel in Cleveland, OH. Case Western Reserve University will serve as host. Early bird registration for the conference will open Monday, November 20 and end on Friday, January 5, 2018. Register early to take advantage of the discounted rate.
NYAS Webinar, November 29 | Engaging with the Public: Why Scientists Need to Communicate Their Work
Scientists have many responsibilities beyond their own research endeavors, from writing grants to mentoring students—which often means that public outreach falls off the radar. However, having experts that can successfully engage with the public, explain their own work or scientific progress in general, and take the time to understand how non-scientists think about science and innovation is imperative to our society’s health. But where do you start as a scientist and how can you ensure that your efforts will be successful?
This evening will bring together a panel of four scientists and researchers who have integrated public engagement into their careers on various levels (speaking with the media, having an active social media platform, giving public talks, etc). In a panel discussion, we will hear why each of them believes that public engagement is vital for their scientific work, how they honed their skills, what lessons they’ve learned along the way, and how other scientists (especially early career ones) can become involved in science communication activities. The discussion will end with a question and answer period.
Audience
Graduate students, postdocs, and junior faculty can all benefit from attending this event.
For more information and registration, visit the NYAS website.
What Graduate Students & Postdocs Writing NIH Grants Need to Know- NRMN Career Development Webinar | November 29
*On behalf of Dr. Evelyn Erenrich:
National Research Mentoring Network
Webinar: What Graduate Students & Postdocs Writing NIH Grants Need to Know
Jaime S. Rubin, Ph.D.
The ability to write successful grant applications for extramural support is now more important than ever, especially with regard to funding the research training and career development of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
This webinar will address best practices for effective grantsmanship, approaches for competitive applications, common mistakes made by junior investigators, and tips to increase chances for success. The focus will be on NIH’s individual fellowships for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Topics that will be discussed include key required application components, specific content that should be included when completing these sections, and NIH’s fellowship grant review process, scoring system, and review criteria.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_faEajhVES2egs-mSuL2MrA
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Nov 29, 2017 1:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: What Graduate Students & Postdocs Writing NIH Grants Need to Know
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Regular OPA Events
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.
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
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
National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) Responds to Proposed Tax Reform
The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) opposes the provision in The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1) that would eliminate Section 117(d)(5) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code. Section 117(d)(5) exempts tuition waivers from taxable income for graduate students who serve as teaching or research assistants. The impact of the provision has the potential to create serious repercussions throughout the research community and significantly increase the tax liability for graduate students.
The exemption of tuition waivers from taxable income allows thousands of Master’s and Doctoral candidates to avoid financial hardships that would otherwise prevent them from pursing their degree. As over 50 percent of tuition waivers are provided to students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) fields, the proposed repeal of Section 117(d)(5) will have an immediate and devastating impact on the research workforce, derailing progress we have made in vaccine development, cancer therapies, bioengineering, and much more. Ensuring that the United States will be able to continue to attract, train, and retain the most talented workforce is essential to creating a dynamic and thriving scientific enterprise and growing our economy. Eliminating the exemption of tuition waivers from taxable income for those seeking additional education and training will have adverse effects on multiple sectors and will weaken the nation’s status as a leader in research. Therefore, the NPA joins numerous other organizations in opposing the repealing of Section 117(d)(5) in HR 1.
Beyond the PhD - Postdoc Experience and Career Path Survey
Message for Members of the Rutgers PDA
Hello! My name is Oluchi. I am a postdoctoral fellow at Vanderbilt working as part of a team of NSF-funded researchers studying the training experiences and career trajectories of postdocs in STEM fields. I have asked the Rutgers PDA to forward this message to you because we are recruiting participants for our study. Our focus is on U.S. citizen or permanent resident postdocs in STEM (i.e., biomedical, biological, or physical sciences; engineering, and mathematics) disciplines, in the first, second, or third year of their first postdoctoral appointment. If you meet these criteria and are willing to participate, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser: http://beyondthephd.net/pda.
The survey is anonymous, meaning that your identity will not be linked to your responses. In addition, it is completely voluntary, so you can opt out at any time. The survey takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, but you are not required to complete it in one sitting. Once you’ve started, you can pause and return to it within a week. Please be sure to start and finish the survey before it closes on Friday, December 8, 2017. To thank you for completing the survey, we will send you an electronic gift card approximately 7-10 business days after the survey closes. If you have any questions about the study, or if you run into any problems while taking the survey, feel free to contact me at onwosu@beyondthephd.net.
Thanks for considering my request!
Cordially,
Oluchi Nwosu-Randolph, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Sociology
Beyond the PhD Study Coordinator
Vanderbilt University
The 2018 Competition for the iBiology Young Scientist Seminars (YSS) | Application Due December 10
*On behalf of iBiology and iJOBS:
Are you a graduate student or postdoc in any field of biology with a compelling research story that you want to share with the world? Do you want to learn how to give one of the best science talks of your career?
Overview
The Young Scientist Seminars (YSS) is a video series produced by iBiology that features young scientists giving talks about their research and discoveries. As with all iBiology videos, the YSS videos are freely available online and widely viewed by an international audience of students, scientists, educators, and the public. Speakers in the YSS series must apply by December 10, 2017 (11:59pm PT) to be selected.
Benefits
- Winners will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the University of California, San Francisco (late Spring 2018, exact date TBD), where they will attend a multi-day science communication workshop led by the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, in collaboration with iBiology. During the workshop, they will make improvements to their 30-minute research talks.
- At the end of the workshop week, winners will record their improved 30-minute research talks in iBiology's green screen studio. Studio-recorded talks will be posted on the iBiology website as part of a the Young Scientist Seminars.
- Receive a $500 honorarium.
For young scientists, this is a unique opportunity to develop their communication skills and showcase their work!
For more application details, visit the website.
QUESTIONS? Send us an email: yss@ibiology.org.
The Young Scientist Seminars are funded by the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, which accelerates support for medical research through recognition of scientific excellence, public education, and advocacy. The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science leads the training for the four winners in collaboration with iBiology.
2018 Blavatnik Regional Postdoctoral Competition | Deadline: January 9, 2018
*On Behalf of Dr. Barbara Lee, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs:
The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists honor exceptional young scientists and engineers by celebrating their extraordinary achievements, recognizing their inspiring promise, and accelerating their innovations through unrestricted funding.
The Blavatnik Regional Awards acknowledge and celebrate the excellence of outstanding postdoctoral scientists from institutions in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Nominations are accepted from research universities, independent research institutions, academic medical centers, and government laboratories in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Members of the regional Jury, who will evaluate the nominations and select the postdoctoral winners and finalists, are distinguished scientists and engineers from various institutions in the Northeast.
The honorees of the Blavatnik Regional Awards are celebrated each year with a ceremony during the New York Academy of Sciences Annual Gala in New York City.
Attached to this newsletter are the guidelines for nominations for the regional postdoctoral competition of the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists. Rutgers has been invited to nominate up to fifteen of our most promising postdoctoral scientists and engineers currently conducting research within one of these disciplinary categories in the life sciences, physical sciences & engineering and chemistry.
Winners will be awarded $30,000 each in unrestricted funds, and finalists will be awarded $10,000 each in unrestricted funds. Please forward this call for nominations to the appropriate department chairs and directors in your units.
Candidates must submit a research summary (no more than 1,000 words), curriculum vitae (4-page maximum), and a letter of nomination no later than January 9, 2018, to Dr. Angela Mullis (amullis@oq.rutgers.edu/848-932-8068) of my office who will be coordinating the process. The usual peer review process will be invoked, if there are more than fifteen nominations. Those faculty members who are chosen will be notified as soon as possible so that they have time to prepare a full set of credentials to meet the January 31, 2018, deadline for submission. External letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically by February 14th.
Barbara A. Lee
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Reading Material
Using Your ‘Strong Yes’ to Guide Career Decisions
*Article published on Inside HigherEd
Perhaps the best career advice I ever received came from my Reiki teacher, Marty Tribble, who cautioned, “The absence of a strong yes is actually a no.” Read more.