Rutgers OPA
Weekly Newsletter | September 21, 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.
8th Annual National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week
Postdoctoral Appreciation Networking Lunch Event Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Dr. Barbara Lee, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Lily Young, Provost, New Brunswick Campus
Dr. Csanad Gurdon, Rutgers PDA President
On behalf of the OPA team and Rutgers PDA Executive Board we would like to thank everyone who made this event a success.
To all our guests, thank you for taking time to attend and provide valuable information about resources available to our postdocs through your programs and offices.
Special thanks to Dr. Barbara Lee and Dr. Lily Young for taking time out of their busy schedules to be with us and deliver inspirational words to our community.
BIG THANK YOU to all the postdocs that attended the appreciation lunch. We hope you learn about new resources available to you and that you were able to connect with other fellows.
The OPA exist because of you and for you! Make sure to visit our website and take advantage of all our services and resources.
THANK YOU and hope to see you at our next event.
The OPA Team.
Rutgers OPA Workshops
How to Regain Control of Your Time and Be More Productive|Registration Deadline Extended: Tomorrow, Friday, September 15
It’s the end of your workday, and you have not accomplished everything you meant to do. Your days go fast, and your to-do list keeps growing every day. Sounds familiar? Effective time management is an indispensable and highly valued skill in any job or career. This workshop will provide practical tips on how to better manage your time so that you can get the most done during your workday and focus on your most important goals. You will learn how to stay mentally on task and become more productive.
- Date: Monday, September 25, 2017
Two locations on the same day at different times.
- Location 1: Dean's Conference Room, Hill Hall Room 315, Newark Campus
- Time: 9:30 a.m–11:00 a.m.
- Location 2: Dean's Conference Room, RWJMS Research Tower, New Brunswick Campus
- Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m.
- Sponsor: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
- Workshop presented by: Dr. Itzamarie Chevere-Torres, Associate Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Light refreshments will be served. Please register before this Friday, September 15. You can see the flyer here.
Monday, Sep 25, 2017, 09:30 AM
Newark (9:30 AM) & New Brunswick (2:00 PM)
Interview Smarts: Proven Techniques for Standing Out from the Competition and Getting the Job You Want
Mastering the interview process is a challenge for post-docs and seasoned pros alike. Getting past applicant tracking systems, positioning yourself in the hiring manager's mind and successfully preparing for behavioral interviews and cultural fit are all part of the mix.
Randy Fisher will lead and facilitate a dynamic interactive workshop to give you the inside track for successful interviews. He'll share practical examples for answering behavioral interview questions and navigating cultural and organizational challenges. Randy will give you a great tool for managing stress on-the-fly, and help you in leveraging your transferable skills and record of accomplishment to get meaningful jobs.
Successful interviewing is a skill that CAN be learned and mastered - and Randy will deliver an experiential workshop to encourage and support you in the next stages of your career development.
- Location: Center of Alcohol Studies
Conference Room 219
607 Allison Rd, Piscataway, 08854
- Sponsor: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
- Workshop Presented by: Randy Fisher, Career Coach, Facilitator and Marketing Expert at Digiwise.
Lunch will be provided. Please register before October 3. To see flyer click here
Friday, Oct 13, 2017, 11:30 AM
607 Allison Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
Rutgers iJOBS Events
iJOBS Workshop: Applying for Jobs as an International Student, Advice from an Immigration Attorney
If you are an international student or postdoc and are wondering how to apply for jobs in the US, you should come to hear Michael Goldstein who is an immigration lawyer, who will answer all of your questions.
Location:
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
675 Hoes Lane West
Room V10
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Wednesday, Sep 27, 2017, 04:30 PM
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Hoes Lane West, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
iJOBS Seminar: Regeneron Information Session
Regeneron is a leading science and technology company delivering life-transforming medicines for serious diseases. Founded by physician-scientists nearly 30 years ago, their science-driven approach has resulted in four FDA-approved medicines and numerous product candidates in a range of diseases, including ophthalmology, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, pain, cancer and infectious diseases.
In addition to their medicines, their innovations include the VelociSuite®technologies, world-class manufacturing operations, one of the largest human genetics sequencing efforts in the world and rapid response technologies being used for global good.
Come learn about career opportunities and job descriptions for PhD level people at Regeneron.
Location:
Rutgers University Medical Science Building
185 South Orange Avenue
Rosemary Gellene Room B515
Newark, NJ 07103
Thursday, Sep 28, 2017, 04:00 PM
185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
Other Events
Third Annual Professional Development Conference for Postdocs & Junior Faculty Passport to Success: From Teaching to Grantsmanship | Registration Deadline: TOMORROW, Friday, September 22, 2017
*On behalf of Dr. Evelyn Erenrich, Associate Dean, School of Graduate Studies & NRMN-CAN Executive Committee:
National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN)
Big Ten Academic Alliance
Oct 29 - 31, 2017
BIG Ten Conference Center, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free. All expenses covered, including travel & lodging.
Overview: The 3rd Annual NRMN-CAN Professional Development and Grantwriting Conference is an initiative of the Big Ten Academic Alliance, sponsored by the NIH National Research Mentoring Network Supplement Program NRMN-CAN. NRMN is a nationwide consortium dedicated to providing all trainees across the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences with evidence-based mentorship and professional development programming. The goal of the NRMN to enhance the diversity of the NIH-funded research workforce.
How will the Conference benefit postdocs?
The conference will connect you with postdocs and junior faculty across the Big Ten network. It will provide professional development opportunities and will include the kickoff of intensive grantwriting groups led by assigned faculty coaches with whom you will continue to meet after the conference. Please consider applying if you are currently preparing or planning an NIH grant application and can bring a draft or outline of your Specific Aims to the conference. The conference will also include professional development workshops, focusing on teaching for academic careers.
Hear from a 2016 postdoc participant: “I had an incredibly positive experience--probably the best I've had since I arrived at Rutgers --and so appreciated the chance to meet new people, both from Rutgers and other institutions… I love the grantwriting group I'm in, and I love even more that we're going to continue to meet.”
Conference details, agenda, and eligibility: Visit the NRMN-CAN website.
To register: Complete the following steps by noon on 9/22/17: Space is limited and selection competitive. Apply early for priority consideration.
1. Register on NRMNet.
2. Complete the Grantwriting Groups Trainee Application. (This application may take up to an hour, and you will be asked to supply an NIH style Biosketch (or a draft) and an outline of your Specific Aims.
3. Your participation will be confirmed by 10/1/17. At that time travel instructions and details will be shared. Expenses will covered.
Individuals from groups underrepresented in biomedical, social, behavioral and health sciences are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications are encouraged from any individuals with a demonstrated commitment to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in these disciplines.
Questions? Contact either me or the NRMN-CAN Program Administrator, Dr. Laurie Risner at lrisner1@peds.bsd.uchicago.edu. We look forward to your application.
Evelyn Erenrich, PhD
Associate Dean, School of Graduate Studies
NRMN-CAN Executive Committee
A Recruiter’s Perspective on Hiring Scientists and Engineers | Wednesday, September 27 | 1-2 p.m. ET|FREE Webinar
Few things in your career will be as daunting as the interview process. Knowing the perspective of your interviewer beforehand can be a distinct advantage. In this webcast, Peter Carley describes the hiring process for STEM-related positions from the HR perspective – from the development of the job description and posting to making the job offer.
You will learn how to tailor your resume for the position, how to prepare for the different types of interviews, tips for the day of your face-to-face interview and what research you need to do before receiving an offer. You will also discover how to approach the issue of salary during the recruiting process and get tips on effectively handling the negotiation of your compensation package. Hint: You have more leverage than you may realize!
Following Mr. Carley’s presentation, there will also be a live Q&A session, with an opportunity for participants to ask both general questions and to receive targeted guidance specific to individual situations.
Topics Covered Include:
- Understanding the HR perspective
- Tailoring your resume to get an interview
- Tips for interviewing to get an offer
- Negotiating your compensation package
For more information and registration visit the AAAS website.
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.
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 September 29th. Please register as space is limited.
When: Last Friday of the month 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, Sep 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.
When: First Friday of the month, 3-5 p.m
Location:
Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Nelson Biology Laboratories, Room D354.
Registration is not required.
Friday, Oct 6, 2017, 03:00 PM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
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 | Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month (15 September - 15 October) by reiterating our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the postdoctoral community. Recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the decision to suspend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program remind us that we cannot take for granted the conditions that allow a multicultural society to thrive and harness the full potential that diversity provides. It is now up to the U.S. Congress to finalize and approve the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) to ensure that those in the DACA program are not deported.
DREAMers contribute to the research enterprise in a variety of disciplines and that they increase the diversity in academic, industry and government institutions within which they work. The NPA supports programs established to help them achieve their goals, and advocates on their behalf.
Starting September 15th through October 15th, the NPA will highlight Hispanic/Latino individuals and organizations that contribute to the research enterprise in a series of social media postings. We encourage everyone to share these posts to help celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Reach out to your Hispanic/Latino colleagues with words of support and take this month to educate yourself about Hispanic/Latino history and challenges in the U.S. as well as the benefits of diversity.
Application Now Open |OASIS Leadership & Professional Development Program |Rutgers-Newark Campus
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. Three to four spots will be available for female postdocs. Applications are due November 1, 2017 for the spring 2018 program.
For more information and to apply see attached flyer, and visit http://academicaffairs.rutgers.edu/oasis-leadership-professional-development
Now interviewing for 2017-2018 BIO Links Volunteers for New Brunswick Public Schools
*On behalf of Dr. Martha Soto,Faculty Advisor, BIO Links K-12 Outreach Program:
Dear Rutgers students and postdocs,
We are now interviewing people who are interested in working with a science teacher in the New Brunswick Schools through the BIO Links Program.
The BIO Links (Biosciences Links to Teaching) Program is a partnership between graduate students and postdocs at RWJMS and Rutgers and area public school science teachers. The GSA (Graduate Student Association) of Molecular Biosciences started BIO Links in 2007. BIO Links volunteers are matched with a local middle school or high school science teacher and make a commitment to visit his or her classroom once a week for 9 weeks.
The time involved is typically 2-3 hours a week. Volunteers enter the classroom with the goal of supporting the science teachers, while also helping to educate the local students about careers in science. In return, graduate students and postdocs have the opportunity to enhance their communication and educational skills by learning from successful members of the teaching community. To learn more about the BIO Links program, please visit our web page:
http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/education/gsbs/student_affairs/BIOLinksTheMolecularBiosciences.html
If you think this over and decide you want to volunteer, please send me an email so we can set up a short meeting (20 minutes or so) to answer any questions regarding the program and to discuss which subjects or grades you may want to assist with.
If you have friends in other Departments who may be interested, please forward this message to them. At the high school we have a need for bilingual (English-Spanish) volunteers for Physics and Chemistry. Please note that biology graduate students have successfully helped in the Physics First class (for 9th graders, no Calculus) but we would be happy to send volunteers from other Departments of Rutgers as well.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Dr. Martha Soto
Faculty Advisor, BIO Links K-12 Outreach Program
Office of Research Commercialization (ORC) Internship Program | Postdocs in the field of Physical Sciences| Apply now
The ORC is pleased to announce its internship program where Rutgers postdoctoral trainees and senior graduate students interested in pursuing alternative careers in Intellectual Property Law, Business Development, and/or Academic Technology Transfer are invited to apply to the internship program.
Requirements:
- Minimum of 2 semesters commitment to the program
- Ability to dedicate 5‐10 hours/week: 2‐3 hours to be spent in our office (33 Knightsbridge Road, Piscataway), and 3-7 hours to be spent carrying out research remotely
- Approval of your PI or Advisor (signature required on application)
Elements of the Program:
The program will begin Friday, September 22, 2017 at 3pm. It will begin with several lecture-style sessions on Intellectual Property Law, Contracts/Agreements relevant for academic Tech Transfer, Technical Writing, Marketing and Licensing. After each session, assignments will be given. Participants will be expected to reach a certain level of expertise to carry out basic invention evaluation and marketing independently with minor supervision.
What you will learn:
You will be exposed to the exciting world of Intellectual Property; you will learn the necessary steps that are needed in order to effectively protect and commercialize the results of scientific research. You will learn how to evaluate an Invention Disclosure, prepare Non-Confidential Summaries, and identify and reach out to prospective licensees. You will learn about negotiation of the business terms of various agreements that govern Technology Transfer in an academic university.
How to Apply:
In order to be considered for the program, please:
- Fill out the Application Form
- Attach your CV
- Include a brief statement on the nature of your interest
- Send all to yong.zhang@rutgers.edu as soon as possible.
American Association of Anatomists Postdoctoral Fellowship | Nomination Deadline: October 2
The Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended to provide salary support to an AAA member who is a postdoctoral trainee working in any aspect of biology relevant to the anatomical sciences. AAA will provide $20,000, plus travel support and registration fee (at early registration rate) to the next appropriate AAA Annual Meeting. The postdoc’s laboratory must supplement this stipend with funds that equal or exceed the NIH standard salary support for postdoctoral fellows. In addition, the laboratory must provide funds for health insurance for the postdoctoral fellow.
For more information, please visit the AAA website.
National Postdoctoral Association (NPA)| Call for Applications for the 16th Annual Conference Travel Awards
The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) is pleased to offer travel awards for postdoctoral scholars to attend our 16th Annual Conference, which will be held at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio, April 6 - 8, 2018. The awards will first cover registration and lodging, and then travel expenses up to the limit of the award. Travel award amounts will vary, but the maximum amount awarded will be $1,000. You may also apply for the childcare support award in addition to the travel award. If you receive both awards, the maximum amount awarded will be $1000 total.
Awards will be competitively allocated and limited to one per institution. The number of awards granted will depend on the estimated cost of each application, and the amount of funds raised by the NPA. Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek matching funds from their institutions and to include that information in their applications.
Deadline for submission: Monday, October 2, 2017
For more information and to apply, please visit the NPA website.
Good Reading Material
Career toolkit: Interview skills
*Part of NatureJobs Career Resources
A stellar CV and multiple publications will only get you part of the way when applying for a new position – you also need to articulate why you're the best person for the job. We've highlighted some job interview tips from our article archive below – check out the full articles for more information.