Rutgers OPA
Weekly Newsletter | August 16, 2018
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.
Also, check out our website for a collection of previous OPA weekly newsletter.
Reading Material
Don't Give Up On Your Dream Job If You're Missing One Essential Skill
*Article published on Forbes
"You've just come across the perfect job listing. It's at a great company, you have the right background and professional experience, and it's at the career level you're looking for. There's only one problem: You're missing an essential required skill.
You might feel tempted to walk away from your dream job because you don't think you have a shot, even if you believe you could change their mind in the interview. However, if you don't apply, you'll never even get that interview, much less an offer." Read more.
Mentoring Up | Workshop for Postdocs | Register by August 30
Have you ever wondered how can you make the most of your mentoring relationships?
In this 1.5 hour workshop, we will use case studies and small group discussions to explore the dynamics of the mentor-mentee relationship and to build skills and reflect on how to be a more responsive mentor as well as a more proactive mentee as a postdoc. This workshop is based on evidence-based resources developed by the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN), through a grant to the Big Ten Academic Alliance (NRMN-CAN).
The following areas of mentorship practices and interests will be addressed during this workshop:
• Maintaining Effective Communication
• Aligning Expectations
Presented by: Dr. Xenia Morin
When: Friday, September 7, 2018
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Where: Rutgers-New Brunswick - Nelson Biology Laboratories, Room D-406
Sponsored by: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Interested in improving your mentoring skills and increasing your productivity?
All interested postdocs, universitywide, are invited to participate. Enrollment for this workshop is limited to 25 participants. Register by August, 30th.
Dr. Xenia Morin
Xenia K. Morin, Ph.D. is the Senior Associate Dean for Learning at SEBS, Rutgers-New Brunswick, and an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Plant Biology. She is part of the NRMN-CAN leadership team, the Big10 affiliate of NRMN, and offers workshops to post-docs, graduate students and undergraduates to build skills and to enhance their educational opportunities. Dr. Morin has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Cornell University as was active in the early days of the National Postdoc Association.
Mentoring Up
"Mentoring up is the mentee’s proactive engagement in the mentor-mentee relationship, so that both parties mutually benefit from the relationship and move forward towards an agreed-upon purpose or vision. Mentoring up is a process in which the mentee continually learns about the relationship and develops skills to engage in it as the relationship evolves. Ultimately, learning the skills needed to proactively manage an evolving mentoring relationship will contribute significantly to the mentee’s ability to effectively navigate and manage a career."
(“Mentoring Up”: Learning to Manage Your Mentoring Relationships. Steven Paul Lee, Richard McGee, Christine Pfund, and Janet Branchaw)
Dr. Evelyn Erenrich
Evelyn S. Erenrich, Ph.D. is Associate Dean at the Rutgers University School of Graduate Studies; Director of Graduate Recruitment, Retention and Diversity (GR2aD); and a Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology. Her current efforts focus on developing and implementing strategies to promote inclusive excellence in graduate education. Initiatives span all transition points from undergraduate through junior faculty. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Big Ten Academic Alliance National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN-CAN). Dr. Erenrich earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Cornell University.
Register by September 11 !
Rutgers University to Celebrate the Contributions of Postdoctoral Scholars During National Postdoc Appreciation Week
The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) is holding the ninth annual National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week, September 17 – 21, 2018. Rutgers University is joining the celebration by organizing and hosting a series of events and workshops on Busch and Cook campus.
The universitywide Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will host:
Welcome Orientation: The Postdoc Landscape at Rutgers
This event aims to orient new and current postdocs, curious to learn about postdoc demographics at Rutgers, learn the different types of postdoctoral appointments and their benefits, and how to make the most of their postdoctoral training at Rutgers.
When: Monday, September 17, 2018
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Where: Busch Campus, Nelson Biology Lab D-406
Grant Writing Skills Workshop: Tackling the Personal Statement in Grant Applications
The personal statement is often a critical component of a grant or fellowship application. If you are planning to apply for funding in the near future, and your application requires a personal statement, then this workshop is for you.
Through a series of interactive writing exercises, you will lay the foundation of an effective personal statement that conveys your motivation and preparation to conduct independent research. The workshop will feature short bursts of writing and peer sharing activities designed to help you write the best document possible. Bring a laptop and a ready-to-write spirit!
Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: Cook Campus, Rutgers Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, Room 205
Bio:
Ben Arenger is a Project Manager at School of Graduate Studies. He earned his Ph.D. in Spanish literature at Rutgers in 2016, and currently assists on School of Graduate Studies projects related to professional development, business administration, and degree certification. For six years, Ben served as a fellowship advisor, helping graduate students win prestigious awards from the National Science Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Fulbright.
The Rutgers Postdoctoral Association will host:
Postdoc Appreciation Lunch
This event will introduce and welcome new postdocs to the community at Rutgers, as well as help connect new and existing postdocs to the various resources that are available during their time here at Rutgers. Come and meet the new postdoc members of the Rutgers Community and the staff of the universitywide Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
There will be several representatives from various Rutgers organizations and programs hosting tables, and providing information about opportunities available to postdocs within our community.
When: Friday, September 21, 2018
Time: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Where: Busch Campus, Busch Student Center’s International Lounge
Lunch will be provided.
Rutgers PDA Events
Transition Happy Hour
Hey postdocs!
The Rutgers Postdoc Association (PDA) recently transitioned to a new Executive Board! Which means this is the last happy hour I'm hosting...but don't worry, happy hours will be better than ever, because Asia Kwiatek will be hosting them from now on!!!
Let's finish things where they started: Pino's (Highland Park), Friday 17 August, start 6pm.
This will also serve as a chance to say goodbye to the old board and welcome the new one!
See you there!
Anthony DiFranzo
Postdoctoral Associate
Rutgers PDA | Social Outreach Coordinator (2017-2018)
For more information, contact the PDA at rutgerspda@gmail.com or join their facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rutgersPDA/
Friday, Aug 17, 2018, 06:00 PM
Pino's Gift Basket Shoppe and Wine Cellar, North 4th Avenue, Highland Park, NJ, USA
Postdoc Appreciation Lunch
Register by September 11
The Rutgers Postdoctoral Association will host the annual Postdoc Appreciation Lunch as part of the celebration of the National Postdoc Appreciation Week.
This event will introduce and welcome new postdocs to the community at Rutgers as well as help connect new and existing postdocs to the various resources they have available during their time here at Rutgers. Come and meet the new postdoc members of the Rutgers Community and the staff of the universitywide Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
There will be several representatives from various Rutgers organizations and programs hosting tables, and providing information about opportunities available to postdocs within our community.
When: Friday, September 21, 2018
Time: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Where: Busch Campus, Busch Student Center’s International Lounge
Lunch will be provided.
*Thanks to Dean Kathleen Scotto for sharing this information with us:
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to you to ask you to help me spread the word among your underrepresented minority trainees who are interested in pursuing postdoctoral training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in NYC. Our vibrant research community would like to welcome all biologists, chemists, physicists, and computational scientists (among others) from underrepresented minority groups to apply to our event MSKView: A diversity recruitment event for MSK scientific laboratories to be held on Monday, October 29.
Our one day MSKView event is designed to give attendees an opportunity to:
- learn about the cutting-edge science being conducted at MSK
- meet the Lasker Award-winning cancer biologist Dr. Charles Sawyers
- meet other MSK faculty in one-on-one meetings and roundtables
- hear from current trainees about how they decided to conduct their postdoctoral training at MSK
- receive insights on how to chart their course and navigate career development beyond graduate school and postgraduate training
This year we are accepting applications from underrepresented minority trainees, who are:
- PhD and MD/PhD students who are within 2 years from defending their thesis
- PhD, MD and MD/PhD researchers interested in a second postdoc position
Feel free to email me if you have questions.
I thank you in advance for sharing this opportunity with your trainees and others in your network.
Best,
Yaihara Fortis, PhD
Manager, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Regular OPA Events
Welcome & Information Session | Friday, August 31 | 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, August 31. Please register today as space is limited. Registration closes Thursday, August 30 at 3 p.m.
Time: 9–10 a.m. or 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
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 in Newark, contact Dr. Doreen Badheka badhekdk@gsbs.rutgers.edu on Newark Campus: Medical Science Building, Room H645.
Friday, Aug 31, 2018, 09:00 AM
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.
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
Cherry Biotech: Looking for postdoc candidate (Marie Curie individual felllowship)
*Thanks to Dr. Paul Copeland for sharing this opportunity with us:
WE ARE LOOKING FOR PASSIONATE FELLOWS TO JOIN CHERRY BIOTECH, A FAST GROWING MEDTECH (https://www.cherrybiotech.com/individual-fellowship-program)
You are a Ph.D. graduated researcher, passionate about science and technology and you are willing to apply your knowledge and team spirit to change the paradigm of healthcare and diagnosis.
You have ambitious projects which can impact scientific journals as well as the real world. You dream of expanding your horizon and want to learn how to valorize your academic knowledge in an industrial environment.
We are an international team of researchers devoted to scientific valorization and entrepreneurship aiming at pushing technologies “from the bench to the market”.
We focus on the following main axes:
1. Organ-on-Chip technologies to replace current in vitro models and reduce animal testing;
2. Artificial intelligence (machine learning, deep learning) -powered medical devices to better anticipate physiological dysfunctions
3. Data management (encryption, blockchain, data mining, cloud computing)
In addition, we keep also a dedicated R&D niche for “crazy” side projects.
At Cherry, we believe that the next industrial revolution will be sustained by NBIC (Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information technology and Cognitive science) convergence. Cherry Biotech vision is to aggregate the competences of NBIC to provide the next generation of diagnostic and personalized medicine instrumentation.
Life in Rennes (https://www.cherrybiotech.com/news-events/living-in-rennes), France: The Company is based in the dynamic and affordable city of Rennes. In 30 minutes you are in the sunny beach of Saint-Malo and in one hour and a half under the Tour Eiffel.
The Marie Curie individual fellowship (https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/msca-if-2018.html): this 2 years prestigious scientific grant represents a unique opportunity to conceive and implement your own project. In addition, you will become the coordinator of your own project thus gaining management skills and consequently enhancing your academic and private CV. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to learn how to launch a successful start-up/spin-off.
How to apply: Send us a CV as soon as possible and a short abstract (200-300 words) about the scientific dreams you would like to translate into reality. Cherry deadline to send the abstract is 12 August 2018.
Deadlines: 5 p.m. 12 September 2018 application deadline; March/April 2019 starting of the project.
Eligibility: Applicants at the date of the call deadline must be in possession of a doctoral degree or has at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience. The experienced researcher should not have lived in France for more than 3 years in the past 5 years (only for Society and Enterprise panel; MSCA-IF-EF-SE).
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