Weekly PDA Newsletter - Feb 14, 2016

Sun Feb 14 18:59:18 EST 2016

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Dear MIT Postdocs,

Happy Valentine's Day! There is an important gift that you could give yourself and future generations of postdocs...participating in the Quality of Life Survey which is open until February 19th. I know that you are maybe already very annoyed by the reminders but it is very important. The only way that we can fight for a better quality of life for postdocs in terms of housing, benefits, work-life balance, mentoring etc. is to have facts, i.e. solid numbers. Would you get a paper published if the only proof is your gut instinct?

Best,
Kathrin

P.S. For your unique link to the survey, go to the email message you received on January 14th (from Martin A. Schmidt and Israel Ruiz). And if you cannot find this email anymore, wait for the reminder email on Tuesday ;)

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Dr.-Ing. Kathrin Graetz
Corresponding Secretary
Postdoctoral Association of MIT (PDA)
pda.mit.edu<http://pda.mit.edu/>                        Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/groups/44093460815/>                      Twitter (@MITPDA)<https://twitter.com/MITPDA>                      LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/grps/MIT-Postdoc-2506720/about?>

Next PDA meeting:  March 14, 12pm @E25-202              register here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-vT1gzgyik3JHFWaRgQwAVeVoiaoQFK7iP2MO4dtKwo/viewform>          Lunch will be provided!

This Week's Topics:

*         Upcoming PDA Events

o   Postdocs Share Their Science - Call for Posters

*         From the PDA Committees

o   Call for a New Chair of the Human Affairs Committee

o   Call for Postdoc Initiative Grant (PInG) Proposals

*         Postdoc Orientation Sessions

*         From the PDA PInG Initiatives

*         Other Events at MIT

o   Open-Score Introduction to Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 6

o   Transportation Showcase

o   Info Session for Science Advocacy Group

o   Black History Month Bookmobile

o   Resumes

o   Panel Discussion: Fair Use in Scholarly Journal and Book Publishing

o   Evaluating, Negotiating & Accepting Positions

o   LinkedIn Lab

o   Academic Interviewing and Offers

o   Pathways to the Life Science Industry Webinars

o   Ph.D. & MASTER'S Virtual Career Fair

o

Upcoming PDA Events:

Postdoc Share Their Science - Call for Posters!
The PDA is pleased to announce the 5th annual MIT Postdocs Share Their Science and Vendor Fair that will be held on March 2nd, from 11 - 2pm at Morss Hall (Walker Memorial, 50-140). This event allows postdocs from all fields to share their research with the MIT community by presenting posters. This event is also combined with a vendor fair, where you can talk with representatives from your favorite companies.

**Prizes will be awarded to the 3 best posters of the session.**

To present a poster during this event, please submit your information HERE<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZL_VV3RAmlPToJlyotjshvA6ZA-gcdthGMydh59lUX8/viewform?usp=send_form> (no abstract necessary) before February 12th. More details about the event and prizes will be provided by the end of February. If you have any questions, please contact Liz at canovic at mit.edu<mailto:canovic at mit.edu>.
In order to successfully execute this event, we also need many volunteers (particularly poster judges!). This is an excellent opportunity to become more involved with the MIT PDA, meet fellow postdocs, and learn more about the exciting research done at MIT!
To volunteer, please sign up HERE<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1X0CaOGJXalZYW8fDZCGFg87zvfjf7VUfD7lZ_7ObjCE/viewform>

Do not miss this opportunity to share your research with the MIT community!

PDA Sports:    https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Sport%20Activities%20for%20MIT%20Postdocs

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>From the PDA Committees:

Call for a New Chair of the Human Affairs Committee
The MIT Postdoctoral Association is looking for people interested in chairing or co-chairing the Human Affairs Committee.
Responsibilities include
- Encourage fair treatment, prevent and eliminate discrimination, and foster mutual understanding and respect among all postdocs
- Initiate and manage health and wellness programs for postdocs (i.e. Postdoc REFS Program, Postdoc Women's Group, etc.)

If you are interested, or have further questions, please contact our corresponding secretary Kathrin (graetz at mit.edu<mailto:graetz at mit.edu>) and come to the PDA meeting.

Call for Postdoc Initiative Grant (PInG) Proposals!

Do you have an idea for an activity or event that you think would benefit the postdoc community?

The MIT Postdoctoral Association is pleased to announce the second annual call for Postdoc Initiative Grant proposals.  The grant aims to financially support a range of activities, events, and projects, including but not limited to:

  *   Social gatherings
  *   Recreational activities
  *    Arts and cultural programs
  *   Mental health and stress support groups
  *   Professional development seminars and workshops
Previously funded PInG projects include: Glimpse: the Postdoc Podcast, Yoga Classes, Postdoc Playdates, and POWER: Postdoctoral Women Engaged in Research.

So, think about what you'd like to do and send us a proposal! For more information and for the application form check out http://pda.mit.edu/ping. The deadline for applications is March 7, 2016 12:00 PM EST for events taking place from April to September.

We look forward to hearing your plans!  Please contact the PInG Committee Chair, Elizabeth Stewart (ejstewar at mit.edu<mailto:ejstewar at mit.edu>), if you have any questions.

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Postdoc Orientation Sessions:

The PDA offers Postdoc Orientation Sessions open to all postdocs at MIT. Topics covered include:
*         Data on postdoc population at MIT

  *   MIT oversight of postdocs
  *   Defining postdoc expectations
  *   Differences between fellows and associates
  *   PDA structure and initiatives
*         How to get involved
The sessions will be typically the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 12pm (45-60min) in E19-306. Lunch will be provided.
The dates for the next six months are as follows: Feb 22, Mar 7, Mar 21, Apr 4, Apr 25, May 2, May 16, June 6, June 20

If you are interested in participating, you can register via Atlas or using this link<http://web.mit.edu/training/course.html?course=CDT21061c>.

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>From the PDA PInG Initiatives:

Yoga Classes

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If you are interested in yoga classes starting February 17th on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, Marlar Lounge (37-252), a reduced rate for postdocs and their spouses/partners is offered for a 10 class session for $80.
The classes will take place at the following 10 dates:
Feb 17 and 24, March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, April 6, 13 and 20

If you are interested, please reserve your spots by contacting sarahsaf at mit.edu<mailto:sarahsaf at mit.edu>

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Other Events at MIT:

Open-Score Introduction to Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 6 (organized by MIT Libraries)
Hear Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 6 in A major, op. 30, no. 1, performed by Handel and Haydn Society Assistant Concertmaster Susanna Ogata and H+H Resident Conductor Ian Watson, hosted by Teresa Neff. This performance is presented in conjunction with 21M.250, Beethoven to Mahler. Scores will be available for use by the audience. Q&A to follow.
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 16th, 11am - 12:30pm
Location: Lewis Music Library<http://libraries.mit.edu/music>, 14E-109<http://whereis.mit.edu/map-jpg?selection=14&Buildings=go>

Transportation Showcase (sponsored by MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics and the New England University Transportation Center)
The Showcase is the MIT Transportation Club's flagship event, and is widely attended by the students, alumni, faculty, and professionals that make up the MIT transportation community. The event showcases the transportation research carried out at MIT, strengthening the connections among the MIT transportation community, particularly between industry and academia. The Showcase is also an excellent venue for students and faculty to get advice, feedback and ideas for future research, as well as to connect with possible research collaborators.
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 17th, 6 - 9pm
Location: MIT Museum
No Registration required

Info Session for Science Advocacy Group
We are a postdoc and student run group dedicated to advocating for science through interacting with the public and policy makers (save-science.org, AFS at savescience,  https://www.facebook.com/academicsforthefutureofscience). We are having an information session on Wednesday February 17th at 7:30 pm in building 68 (meet us in the lobby to be let in) about how you can get involved. We create cartoons, infographics, videos, interface through social media, and do research and outreach amongst other things. Last year we had an email writing campaign for the federal R&D budget that sent over 1000 emails in almost every state to legislators. We also had a successful event to raise awareness that was sponsored by a MIT PDA PING grant. We are interested new ideas and help of any kind. Please join us on the 17th or email me if you can't come but still would like to be involved.
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 17th, 7:30pm
Location: Building 68 (meet us in the lobby to be let in)

Black History Month Bookmobile (organized by MIT Libraries)
February is Black History Month, and the Libraries are celebrating by launching a bookmobile of all our favorite works by, for, and about African Americans and the African Diaspora. We've collected books, CDs, DVDs, and more for the MIT community to check out. We're welcoming all members of the MIT community - anyone with an MIT ID is welcome to check out items, so be sure to spread the word far and wide!
Date and Time: Friday, February 19th, 12 - 4pm
Location: Stratton Student Center (W20)

Resumes (sponsored by MIT GECD)
Come learn the essential components of a strong resume from a career expert.
Date and Time: Friday, February 19th, 1 - 2pm
Location: Building 32-144
Registration via CareerBridge<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>

Panel Discussion: Fair Use in Scholarly Journal and Book Publishing (organized by MIT Libraries)
In celebration of Fair Use Week<http://fairuseweek.org/>, this panel discussion will explore the barriers and issues that arise when scholarly publishers consider whether to allow fair use as a basis for including third-party material in scholarly articles and books, and will consider the implications for authors and the scholarly publishing process.
Has the recent increase in fair use decisions in federal courts convinced some publishers that fair use is a powerful and viable right, while still mitigating risk for their business models?
The panel, co-hosted by Harvard and MIT, will include perspectives from a university press publisher, author, and attorney/librarian.
Speakers include:

  *   Nick Lindsay, journals director, MIT Press
  *   Bill Smith, director of Intellectual Property Licensing, MIT Press
  *   Kyle K. Courtney, Harvard Office for Scholarly Communication, attorney, and librarian - moderator and panelist
  *   Author and Harvard librarian (TBA)
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 23th, 12 - 1pm
Location: Killian Hall, 14W-111

Evaluating, Negotiating & Accepting Positions (sponsored by MIT GECD)
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 23rd, 5 - 6:30pm
Location: Building 4-163
Registration via CareerBridge<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>

LinkedIn Lab (sponsored by MIT GECD)
Bring your laptop to explore the many ways LinkedIn can help your career exploration and job search.
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 24th, 2 - 3pm
Location: Building 4-163
Registration via CareerBridge<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>

Academic Interviewing and Offers (sponsored by MIT GECD)
Faculty panelists will address the process of searching for academic positions, effective interview strategies, and how they successfully navigated this process. Academic job offer negotiation will also be discussed.
Date and Time: Thursday, February 25th, 2 - 3:30pm
Location: Building 32-144
Registration via CareerBridge<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>

Pathways to the Life Science Industry Webinars
Many PhDs could use practice in the development of advanced cognitive skills and broadened perspectives to effectively contribute in the life science industry. In this webinar series, we present examples of career pathways as we emphasize the integration and application of knowledge regarding products, processes, the regulatory environment, intellectual property, the markets, and financial matters.
Don't miss these unique opportunities to learn about the careers in the life sciences industry that leverage your unique scientific training and place you on a trajectory to leadership.

March 16, 12:00 pm-1:00pm
Careers in the Life Science Industry
Steve Casper, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Applied Life Sciences
Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, CA
Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/546303719542196226

April 6, 12:00 - 12:00 pm-1:00pm
Professional Development for Scientists: Tacit Knowledge and Current Events
James Sterling, Ph.D., Director of the Postdoctoral Professional Master's Program
Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, CA
Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2121804926099112962

Ph.D. & MASTER'S Virtual Career Fair
Students, Post-Docs, and Alumni Invited to Attend - Meet Recruiters Live Online - It's easy & efficient! Event FAQ's<https://www.careereco.com/Fair/RenderPage?fairPageId=26ac444e-4e08-46d0-aceb-a59201158e70>
Date and Time: March 2nd
Register Here<https://www.careereco.com/events/gradtalent>  (Employer List<https://www.careereco.com/Fair/FairOrganizations?fairId=ccdbb01d-2d75-4cfb-aa82-a555012722b9>)

Free affiliate membership with the National Postdoctoral Association: http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/?page=individual_members

Other helpful sites:
postdocs.mit.edu (Office VPR)
MIT GECD Events<https://gecd.mit.edu/mit-events>
MIT Spouses&Partners Events<http://spouses.mit.edu/mit-events>
MIT Events<http://events.mit.edu/>

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