Weekly PDA Newsletter - April 30, 2017

Sun Apr 30 21:22:40 EDT 2017

[from Meghan Huber (mehuber at mit.edu)] Dear MIT Postdocs,

Now that spring has sprung, consider joining the Postdoc Jogging Club! 
Those interested in joining club can sign up for the email list here 
<https://mailman.mit.edu:444/mailman/listinfo/postdoc-jogging>.

Also, at our last monthly meeting, changes to the PDA Constitution and 
Bylaws were voted on. Check out the latest versions these documents on 
our website here <https://pda.mit.edu/about/bylaws/>.

Enjoy your week!

Cheers,

Meghan

-----

Dr. Meghan Huber

Corresponding Secretary

Postdoctoral Association of MIT (PDA)

Follow the MIT-PDA on social media!

MIT-PDA

website <http://pda.mit.edu>

Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/groups/44093460815/>

Twitter <https://twitter.com/MITPDA>

Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/mitpda/>

LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2506720/profile>

Boston-PDA

website <http://bostonpostdocs.org/>

NEXT MIT-PDA MEETING

Monday, May 15, 2017

12:00pm

Rm E25-101

Lunch will be provided!

REGISTER HERE 
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-vT1gzgyik3JHFWaRgQwAVeVoiaoQFK7iP2MO4dtKwo/viewform>

Please join us for our monthly MIT-PDA meeting! Get involved with any of 
the various committees (e.g., sports, advocacy, committee, community 
building) and have your voice heard. This is a great opportunity meet 
your fellow postdocs on campus!

MIT-PDA NEWS AND EVENTS

2017 MIT Postdoctoral Association Mentoring Program

Hosted by MIT-PDA Professional Development Committee

Join us for our exciting 2017 MIT PDA Mentoring Program and learn from 
experienced professionals how to achieve career success after completion 
of your academic traineeship. The program will run from May to November 
2017 and will consist of monthly informal sessions with outstanding 
mentors who are excited to help the MIT postdoctoral community. They 
will share their valuable professional insights and experiences, thus 
providing important information and guidance for your career 
development. Mentors include Michael Birnbaum (MIT Faculty), Dane 
Walther (Akamai), Bob Porras (Dell EMC), Francesca Lazzeri (Microsoft), 
Francis Wolenski (Takeda Oncology), Michele L. Ostraat (Aramco), Ishan 
Capila (Momenta Pharma), Anne Bothmer (Editas), Darby Schmidt (Quartet 
Medicine), Tilman Kispersky (McKinsey), Vyas Ramanan (Third Rock 
Venture) and many more. To participate in our Mentoring Program, please 
complete the online application form (here 
<https://goo.gl/forms/pMdlOqZcbU9ara652>) until May 8th 2017. Successful 
applicants will be custom matched to mentors based on areas of interest 
and career goals and invited to a first kickoff meeting on May 24th 
2017. If you require any further information, feel free to contact 
atmitpdamentoring at gmail.com <mailto:mitpdamentoring at gmail.com>.

PDA and Strategic Games Society (SGS) Partnership

Hosted by MIT-PDA Community Building Committee

MIT-PDA is happy to announce a new partnership for the board games 
nights with the MIT Strategic Games Society (MIT-SGS). It is now free 
for Postdocs to join the weekly board games nights hosted by the 
MIT-SGS. Moreover, you can bring your non-MIT friends for a small fee of 
$5 per year. SGS meets every Friday at 7PM in MIT Building 50-316 
(Walker Memorial Hall, Floor 3, Room 16) for  board games and card 
games. Gaming sessions typically go until around 12-2 AM. For more 
information about the board game branch of SGS, contactthe officers 
<mailto:sgs-officers at mit.edu>.

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

      o

        How to get involved

The sessions will be typically the 1stand 3rdMonday of each month at 
12pm (45-60min) in E49-5145. Lunch will be provided. The dates for the 
semester are as follows: May 22, June 5, June 19, July 3, July 17, July 
31, August 14, September 11, and September 25. If you are interested in 
participating, you can register via Atlas or here 
<http://web.mit.edu/training/course.html?course=CDT21061c>.

GLIMPSE (PDA PInG Initiative)

If you would like to be interviewed by GLIMPSE podcast or would like to 
help with the podcast (music, logo, artwork), please contact us at 
glimpse.podcast at gmail.com <mailto:glimpse.podcast at gmail.com>. For more 
information, please visit us at: http://glimpse.mit.edu/

OTHER MIT AND LOCAL EVENTS

This Week

Practice Mindfulness to Improve Well-Being and Resiliency

Hosted by MIT Work-Life Center

Speaker: Paul R. Fulton, Ed.D., M.S.; Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, 
Mindfulness-Based Learning and Founding Member, Institute for Meditation 
and Psychotherapy. This program introduces the basic principles and 
practices of mindfulness, a concentrated state of awareness that helps 
people see and respond to situations with greater clarity. Individuals 
who employ the techniques of mindfulness in their work are able to 
monitor moment-to-moment effectiveness, respond promptly and 
appropriately to difficulties as they arise, and remain open to new 
ideas and perspectives. Participants will be introduced to meditation 
practices that will teach them how to be more focused, creative, and 
resilient in all aspects of their lives.

Date and Time Tuesday, May 2, 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Location 76-156

Registration Register here 
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/practice-mindfulness-to-improve-well-being-and-resiliency-rescheduled-to-may-2-due-to-storm-registration-31296326154>

What Every International Student Should Know About U.S. Employment

Hosted by MIT Global Education and Career Development

Interested in hearing how H-1B sponsorship happens from the inside? Dan 
Beaudry, former head of campus recruiting at Monster.com, shares the 
potent job search system used by many international students to find 
U.S. employment. H-1B's are won in ways you likely don't expect. What 
you'll discover in this presentation may surprise you: Learn how to 
secure H-1B sponsorship at companies that have a policy against 
sponsoring H-1B visas; Learn why 80 percent of open jobs are never 
advertised - and how to find them before anyone else; Learn why human 
resources is often an obstacle instead of a conduit to finding a U.S. 
job-and how to bypass it; and Learn why submitting resumes online is not 
an effective use of your time-and how you can better invest that time.

Date and Time Tuesday, May 2, 3:30 - 5:00 PM

Location 34-101

RegistrationPre-registration requested via CareerBridge 
<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>.

Exploring PhD Career Options in Higher Education Panel

Hosted by MIT Global Education and Career Development

PhD graduates can work in higher education in various capacities, 
including areas of research, teaching, training, strategy, 
administration and writing to name a few. Attendees will learn from 
panelists who have made the transition from being an MIT PhD student to 
working in higher education. Panelists have found positions in various 
ways, and they will discuss advice for seeking future career options. 
These career stories represent higher education (and additional 
industries from panelists' past experiences) from perspectives that are 
not tenure-track faculty. This event is open to all courses and 
departments and postdocs. Panelists - all are PhD alums from MIT: 
Francoise Carré - Research Director, Center for Social Policy at UMass 
Boston, Patricia Christie - Instructor at MIT Chemistry, Biology, John 
J. Dolhun - Technical Instructor at MIT Chemistry, Piotr Mitros - Chief 
Scientist at EdX, and Jessica Tytell - Executive Director for the 
Biological Design Center at Boston University.

Date and Time Tuesday, May 2, 5:00 - 6:30 PM (Rescheduled event from 
previous bad weather)

Location E19-202

RegistrationPre-registration requested via CareerBridge 
<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>.

xTalk: Innovative Approaches for Enhancing the 21st Century Student 
Experience

Hosted by MIT Office of Digital Learning

Everyone engaged in higher education wants students to succeed. Yet 
existing research into student success is vexed and at risk of stalling. 
Entrenched rituals for garnering evidence are yielding diminishing 
returns. Dated myths are used to identify who students are and how they 
experience higher education. People lack data to help plan the really 
meaningful experiences which flowed serendipitously in smaller and more 
regulated systems. Drawing from 15 years working with hundreds of 
institutions in around 50 countries, this seminar presents insights from 
a work program executed to bring about sustained enhancement of the 
student experience. It concentrates on findings from recent Australian 
innovation which has defined new concepts for understanding higher 
education students, identified new data sources and assessment 
approaches, and engaged institutions in enhancement work and new 
conversations about students. Visit the event websitehere 
<http://odl.mit.edu/news-and-events/events/hamish-coates-innovative-approaches-enhancing-21st-century-student-experience>.

Date and Time Wednesday, May 3, 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Location 10-105

Online workshop: Manage Your PDFs and Citations: Zotero & Mendeley

Hosted by MIT Libraries

Using citation management software to create and maintain a collection 
of references or PDFs is common and important in today’s academic world. 
These tools will help you to save citations from your favorite databases 
and websites, store related PDFs or attachments, and quickly build a 
bibliography for your papers and publications. We’ll review Zotero and 
Mendeley and show how to use them together to help your manage your PDFs 
and citations.

Date and Time Thursday, May 4, 12:30 - 1:30 PM

Location Online

Registration Register here 
<https://mit.webex.com/mw3200/mywebex/default.do?service=7&main_url=%2Ftc3200%2Ftrainingcenter%2Fdefault.do%3Fsiteurl%3Dmit%26main_url%3D%252Ftc3200%252Fe.do%253FAT%253DMI%2526%2526Host%253DQUhTSwAAAATQICdpKX7GktKcHMZji05boYUw8Lw2ik6WDeHeMkCmgm24fsGIbvOXdZkAmSBUbj6mYne17n7c1VhoG7U2-7GL0%2526UID%253D0%2526MTID%253Dtd014e7569b169e5cd484ab51436a4d25%2526siteurl%253Dmit%2526confID%253D2997048305%2526ticket%253D4832534b000000045639596aed680a31904f0154e058dcdd47861be96bff7e0093d0961847d4931b&siteurl=mit>

Careers Across MIT

Hosted by MIT Human Resources Department

Exploring your career at MIT? Curious about new professional development 
opportunities? Looking for a new job at the Institute? Interested in 
networking with MIT staff? If so, come to the 5th Annual Careers Across 
MIT event! Join us on May 4, 2017 from 12 to 2 pm in Walker Memorial 
Hall, Building 50. (No registration required.) Learn about the many 
opportunities for professional development at MIT and speak to 
departments, labs, and centers across the Institute about the work 
they're doing as many DLCs even have open positions.

Date and Time Thursday, May 4, 12:00 - 2:00 PM

Location 50-140, Morss Hall

Next Week

Strategies for Managing Conflict Constructively

Hosted by the MIT Office of the Vice President for Research

This interactive workshop will examine the functions of conflict among 
collaborators, supervisors and subordinates in an academic environment. 
Participants will examine how power differentials, effective 
communication, the preservation of important relationships, and the 
individual interests of people in conflict are key to developing 
constructive and sustainable resolutions. Participants will observe and 
participate in role plays that demonstrate how these tools and 
techniques can be implemented and to communicate more effectively in 
challenging situations.

Date and Time Tuesday, May 9, 3:00 - 4:30 PM

Location 46-3002, Singleton Auditorium

*Registration* *Register here* 
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDg-Y4u4Tr82MEyvHwr799Itcf7T7Pt7ojl_iy4JwpxRw6Rg/viewform>

Aging Successfully - Sleep: What You Need and How to Get It

Hosted by MIT Women's League

A collaborative project of MIT's Medical Department, Age Lab and Women's 
League, the 2017 Catherine N. Stratton Aging Successfully Lecture 
features a panel of three practicing physicians who currently support 
patients and their families concerned about their sleep patterns, 
deficits, and disorders as well as helpful remedies and the kinds of 
assistance now available for these issues. Panelists: John R. Anderson, 
MD, Moderator, is Chief of Geriatric Medicine and Director of the Quimby 
Center for Geriatric Care at Mt. Auburn Hospital.He will offer a brief 
introductions and outline sleep aspects: pattern alteration with age, 
use of sleep aids, pathology and research. Andrea Wershof Schwartz, MD, 
MPH, Physician and Educator with the VA Boston Health Care System 
Geriatric Centerwill bring a geriatrician's point of view to sleep as we 
age, disorders, perils of pharmacologic sleep aids and primary care for 
better sleep. Edwin M. Trayner, Jr., MD, a Sleep Specialist and 
Pulmonary Intensivist at Mt. Auburn Pulmonary Consultantswill focus on 
normal sleep pathology, changes, abnormal sleep and will include 
assessment technologies, home vs. lab testing, therapeutic modalities 
and other ways to optimize sleep.

Date and Time Tuesday, May 9, 4:30 - 6:30 PM

Location E51, Wong Auditorium

Become a Radio DJ!

Hosted by WMBR 88.1FM

Did you know that MIT has a student-run radio station?!WMBR 88.1 FM 
<http://wmbr.org/>, made up exclusively of students, faculty, staff, and 
members of our community. Stop on by to learn how a radio station is run 
& operated, check out our library with thousands of vinyl records 
(thousands!), and find out how YOU can host your own show! Contact 
campus-promotions at wmbr.org <mailto:campus-promotions at wmbr.org>for more 
information.

Date and Time Wednesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 11, 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Location Walker Memorial Basement Radio, 50-030

International Community Coffee Hour

Hosted by MIT International Students Office

Join us every 2nd and 4th Friday! Meet with fellow international 
students and share your ideas and concerns. Let's support each other in 
the current political climate. Light breakfast served. Led by students, 
sponsored by ISO International Council and ISO.

Date and Time Friday, May 12, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Location E19-202

Upcoming Deadlines

Postdoc Yoga

Hosted by Hadassah Segal

The next session of Postdoc Yoga begins May 10, 2017. This is an open 
level, gentle yoga class for postdocs, and spouses/partners of postdocs. 
It meets Wednesdays, 7:30pm-8:30pm. Here are the dates for the next 
session/ 10 classes: May 10, May 17, May 24, No class May 31, June 7, 
June 14, June 21, June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19. Where: Marlar 
Lounge, 37-252 on Vassar Street. Cost: The rate for the 10 class session 
is $90/ per person (no makeups or single classes). If you are interested 
in joining, please email hadassahsegal at hotmail.com 
<mailto:hadassahsegal at hotmail.com>to reserve your spot (spaces are limited)!

New England Future Faculty Workshop at Northeastern University

Hosted by the NE-FWW Planning Committee

We would like to invite them to participate in the New England Future 
Faculty Workshop for Women in STEM Fields (NE-FFW) on the Northeastern 
University campus in Boston, Massachusetts on August 10, 2017.  The 
NE-FFW is designed specifically for women in STEM fields who are 
late-stage PhD students and postdoctoral scholars and interested in an 
academic career. The NE-FFW is focused on the academic job search.  The 
format of the one-day workshop includes faculty-led interactive 
discussions and peer-to-peer interactions.  Workshop topics include: 
  Finding Your Institutional Fit, Standing Out in the Interview, 
Reviewing CVs, Developing a Research Statement, Negotiating the Job 
Offer, and more.  To learn more about the New England Future Faculty 
Workshop for Women in STEM Fields, go 
to:http://www.northeastern.edu/advance/recruitment/future-faculty-workshop/.To 
participate in the NE-FFW, Apply by May 26thonline here. 
<http://www.northeastern.edu/advance/recruitment/future-faculty-workshop/>

CHECK OUT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL EVENTS

postdocs.mit.edu <http://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/>

Boston PDA Events <http://bostonpostdocs.org/events-calendar/>

Mass-AWIS Events <http://mass-awis.org/category/events-calendar/>

MIT RESOURCES FOR POSTDOCS

MBTA Access

As a reminder, all postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral associates on 
MIT’s Cambridge campus are eligible for free, unrestricted subway and 
local bus access. MIT is providing ID cards with a special MBTA* chip 
inside that will provide this access. (*Massachusetts Bay Transportation 
Authority). If you received a new MIT ID card on or after June 21 (or 
after August 9, in the case of many postdoctoral fellows), check the 
back of your ID card. If “Charlie INSIDE!” is written on it, you are all 
set, and already have access. If not, you can visit the Card Office 
(W20-020) with your current MIT ID card to swap it for one with the MBTA 
chip inside it. The Card Office is open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
Monday-Friday.

FREE Mindfulness and Meditation Classes from MIT Medical

Find Some Om Under the Dome

MIT Libraries is offering drop-in meditation and relaxation sessions. 
Please join us for silent meditation in the Barker reading room. Sit for 
a minute, or 30. Beginners welcome - no experience necessary. Every 
Monday at noon in the Barker Dome of Barker Engineering Library 
(10-500). Please arrive promptly. Registration is required. 
<https://medical.mit.edu/community/wellness/classes/mindfulness-meditation>

Meditation for your Wellbeing

Community Wellness at MIT Medical offers drop-in meditation and 
relaxation sessions. Sit back and relax - no experience necessary. 
Please arrive promptly. A short talk and guided meditation begins at 
12:10 pm. This class is held every 2nd Wednesday of the month, 12:10 
pm-12:40 pm. Led by Seth Monk. Registration is required. 
<https://medical.mit.edu/community/wellness/classes/mindfulness-meditation>

MIT Writing & Communication Center

The Center provides free professional advice about all types of writing 
and speaking/oral presentations, including specialized help for 
non-native English speakers. See their website for more details: 
http://cmsw.mit.edu/writing-and-communication-center/ 
<http://cmsw.mit.edu/writing-and-communication-center/>

MyLife Services

MyLife Services 
<http://o6os.mj.am/link/o6os/xlkt8jnnqpg8/1/-kBne3WjUT8Ww6LEA98gxw/aHR0cDovL2hyd2ViLm1pdC5lZHUvd29ya2xpZmUvbWl0bXlsaWZlc2VydmljZXM>is 
a free,confidential, 24/7counseling, consultation, and work-life 
referral service provided by KGA, Inc., a trusted external provider of 
employee assistance programs. Postdoc Associates and Fellows are 
eligible for services provided by KGA, Inc. through the MIT Work-Life 
Center and MyLife Services. You can now access a network of experts who 
can help with the challenges of life and work, such as:

  *

    Financial planning, debt management, and legal issues

  *

    Personal and work relationships

  *

    Sleep and nutrition

  *

    Stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional concerns

  *

    Child and elder care

This includes 5 FREE confidential mental health counseling sessions, as 
well as access to 24/7 confidential counseling services. We encourage 
you to learn more about MyLife Services by calling 1-844-405-LIFE 
(1-844-405-5433) or going online 
<http://o6os.mj.am/link/o6os/xlkt8jnnqpg8/2/y46EmaQ0aMF6d85vixaLTg/aHR0cDovL2hyd2ViLm1pdC5lZHUvd29ya2xpZmUvbWl0bXlsaWZlc2VydmljZXM>. 
For more information or to provide feedback, please contact the MIT 
Work-Life Center.

MIT Spouses&Partners Connect

Offers social and career-related groups and events for your 
spouse/partner/family. For more information and event listings, visit 
http://spouses.mit.edu/.

MIT Employee Resource Groups

Join an Employee Resource Group (ERG) at MIT!

ERGs are employee-led groups formed around common interests, issues 
and/or a common bond or background. ERGs host activities such as 
lectures, socials, dinners, etc. Both Postdoctoral Fellows and 
Associates are invited to join. Current ERGs include:

  *

    African, Black, American, Caribbean @MIT (ABAC at MIT) ERG

  *

    Asian Pacific American ERG

  *

    Latino ERG,

  *

    Lesbian, Gay, ,Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) ERG

  *

    Millennials ERG

  *

    Women in IT ERG

Check out the link for more information and upcoming events: 
http://hrweb.mit.edu/diversity/ergs/current

OTHER RESOURCES

Free Membership for the National Postdoctoral Association

The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) is a member-driven 
organization that provides a unique, national voice for postdoctoral 
scholars. Since 2003, we have taken on the ambitious agenda to enhance 
the quality of the postdoctoral experience in the United States. We have 
assumed a leadership role in addressing the many issues confronting the 
postdoctoral community that are national in scope and requiring action 
beyond the local level. Get your free affiliate membership with the 
National Postdoctoral Association here: 
http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/?page=individual_members

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