Weekly PDA Newsletter - Feb 21, 2016
Kathrin Graetz
graetz at mit.edu
Sun Feb 21 17:32:30 EST 2016
[cid:image003.png at 01D114AE.CBB7CB20]
Dear MIT Postdocs,
A lot is going on at MIT and at your PDA! As you can see, we have a Chinese Lantern Festival Social coming on Saturday and our annual Share Your Science event is only two weeks away. And if you want to do something more, think about what you can do for your fellow postdocs and apply for a PInG grant.
Best,
Kathrin
P.S. And a little personal favor: Since we have this newsletter coming to your e-mailbox since November, I would really appreciate any kind of feedback and constructive criticism to improve it. :)
--------------------------------------------------------------
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 Chinese Lantern Festival Social on February 27
o Postdocs Share Their Science - Call for Posters
* From the PDA Committees
o Call for Postdoc Initiative Grant (PInG) Proposals
o Call for a New Chair of the Human Affairs Committee
* Postdoc Orientation Sessions
* From the PDA PInG Initiatives
* Other Events at MIT
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 Immigration Strategies for MIT Postdocs and PhD Students
o "distant future" events
o
Upcoming PDA Events:
[cid:image003.jpg at 01D16CCD.DB5596D0]Chinese Lantern Festival Social (co-hosted with the MIT CSSA)
Celebrate with us the richness of Chinese Culture in the end of the Chinese New Year Season next Saturday, February 27th!
Come and join us to taste (free) Chinese food, mingle with graduate students, and play the traditional "guessing lantern riddles" game to win prizes. Please sign-up by Feb 24 (Wednesday), 2016.
Date and Time: Saturday, February 27th from 6 - 9pm
Location: Walker Memorial (Building 50-140)
Registration: http://signup.mit.edu/583122752
Free Chinese Food and Game for Prizes!
Postdoc Share Their Science - Call for Posters!
The 5th annual MIT Postdocs Share Their Science and Vendor Fair 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! (1st - $100 Amazon Gift Card; 2nd - $75 Amazon Gift Card; 3rd - $50 Amazon Gift Card).**
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 22th. 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>.
** VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! **
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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>From the PDA Committees:
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.
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>From the PDA PInG Initiatives:
Join us for a seminar with Prof. Kristala L. Jones Prather (sponsored by MIT Committee on [power_logo] Race and Diversity)
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 1st from 12 - 1 pm
Location: E25-202
Registration: http://goo.gl/forms/BEjIS2lfUC
Open to the entire MIT community
Refreshments will be provided
POWER's professional career development seminars focus on the speaker's personal experiences, insights into their current work, as well as work-life integration issues. Prof. Prather will discuss what has contributed to her success, the challenges she has overcome, and advice for current postdocs. She will also talk about maintaining a balanced life, in light of the rigors of an industrial and academic career. We hope that the interactions will assist women postdocs in navigating their careers and will also help them build the professional connections.
Kristala L. Jones Prather is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT and an investigator in the Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center, funded by the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are centered on the engineering of recombinant microorganisms for the production of small molecules. http://web.mit.edu/prathergroup/
Yoga Classes
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>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Events at MIT:
This Week:
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>
Immigration Strategies for MIT Postdocs and PhD Students (hosted by MIT Venture Mentoring Service)
Innovation and entrepreneurship is in the air everywhere at MIT. International MIT PhD students and postdoctoral researchers are increasingly exploring entrepreneurial options and venture creation for when they leave the Institute. However, if you are here on a visa and you have expectations of starting a technology-based company when you leave MIT, the reality is that it won't be easy. This workshop is intended to help International MIT postdoctoral scholars and PhD students understand the limited options available to them for working and remaining in the US after leaving MIT. This session will help you understand the key issues involved from an immigration standpoint and the importance of developing appropriate strategies well in advance that may lead to desired outcomes.
Date and Time: Thursday, February 25th, 12-1:30pm
Location: 35-225 (MIT Classroom)
Register here<http://www.eventbrite.com/e/immigration-strategies-for-mit-postdocs-and-phd-students-exploring-entrepreneurship-registration-21307284662?utm_campaign=new_event_email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eb_email&utm_term=viewmyevent_button> (plus further information)
Academic Interviewing and Offers (sponsored by MIT GECD)
Faculty panelists will address the process of searching for academic positions, effective interview strategies, and ways to successfully navigate this process. Academic job offer negotiation will also be discussed. (Faculty panelists at the end of the newsletter)
Date and Time: Thursday, February 25th, 2 - 3:30pm
Location: Building 32-144
Registration via CareerBridge<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>
In the "Distant" Future:
MIT Water Night (organized by the MIT Water Club)
Annual research poster exhibition that includes academics and industry in the Boston area.
For attendees wishing to present posters, abstracts can be submitted here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MNd3gLIfpvY6dLyIQLXcz5FPD3fzmJW7IjM1_oEIxtI/viewform> by Friday 2/26. The event is free to attend and open to the public. Food will be provided, and there will be awards for top posters.
Date and Time: Friday, March 11th, 5-8pm
Location: Walker Memorial (Building 50)
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>)
Interested in performing music as a form of community service? If so...
Join the MIT Ribotones!
Who are we? We're MIT students and affiliates who love playing music. We perform free community concerts at venues in the Cambridge and Boston area. Last semester, we performed at the AstraZeneca Hope Lodge, and this semester's venues include the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, MGH, and multiple nursing homes.
What do we play? We have vocalists, pianists, string players, and more! At concerts, we perform solo or in groups (string quartets, anyone?).
Who are we looking for? We are looking for soloists and small music groups (~2-5 people) of all genres.
How to join? Please fill out the doodle poll http://doodle.com/poll/ytwacx7ag5wukxuh by 11:59 PM on Thursday, February 25th with your name, Kerberos, and instrument. We will hold auditions on Fri. 2/26, Sat. 2/27, and Mon. 2/29. If none of these times work for you, please email ribotones-exec at mit.edu<mailto:ribotones-exec at mit.edu>.
Feel free to email ribotones-exec at mit.edu<mailto:ribotones-exec at mit.edu> if you have any questions!
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/>
Academic Interviewing and Offers Panel
The faculty panel is:
Prof. Angela Belcher
W.M. Keck Professor of Energy
Professor, Department of Material Science and Engineering and Department of Biological Engineering
Prof. Stephen Bell
Professor of Biology
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Prof. David Hardt
Professor of Mechanical Engineering;
Ralph E. and Eloise F. Cross Professor in Manufacturing
Prof. David Hsu
Assistant Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning
Prof. Bradley D. Olsen
Associate Professor
Dept. of Chemical Engineering, MIT
Prof. Feng Zhang
Assistant Professor, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Investigator, McGovern Institute
Core Member, Broad Institute
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/mit-postdocs/attachments/20160221/60acb3bb/attachment-0001.html
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 23476 bytes
Desc: image001.png
Url : http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/mit-postdocs/attachments/20160221/60acb3bb/attachment-0002.png
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 253935 bytes
Desc: image002.jpg
Url : http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/mit-postdocs/attachments/20160221/60acb3bb/attachment-0002.jpg
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 27937 bytes
Desc: image003.jpg
Url : http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/mit-postdocs/attachments/20160221/60acb3bb/attachment-0003.jpg
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image006.png
Type: image/png
Size: 45897 bytes
Desc: image006.png
Url : http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/mit-postdocs/attachments/20160221/60acb3bb/attachment-0003.png
More information about the mit-postdocs
mailing list