Weekly PDA Newsletter - November 18, 2018

[Anish Paul Antony]

[cid:166063fc3bed4cc0da81]



Dear MIT Postdocs,


Here is your news for the week. The next monthly PDA meeting is on Tuesday December 11, 2018.


Enjoy your week!


Follow the MIT-PDA on social media!

MIT-PDA<https://pda.mit.edu/>

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


Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MITPDA77/>


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



December 11, 2018, 12:00pm Rm 5-314, Lunch will be provided!

REGISTER HERE<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-lQnw7PWIpjnN0dh5aBiiehbFIvog_1TKa1Sv6JSp4nuP6Q/viewform>


Please join us for our monthly MIT-PDA meeting! Get involved with any of the various committees (e.g., sports, community building, alumini) and have your voice heard. This is a great opportunity to meet your fellow postdocs on campus! Elections will be held for the Chair of Advocacy Committee and Chair of the Orientation Committee.

Role of the Advocacy Committee Chair

a) Communicate concerns to the faculty & administration on behalf of the postdocs

b) Identify and address issues pertaining to careers, health care, benefits, salary, immigration, child care, grant-funding mechanisms, etc.

c) Establish a unified postdoc voice and increase the profile of postdocs within the MIT community


Proposed Role of the Orientation Committee Chair

a) Coordinate the MIT PDA Orientation for new postdocs

b) Generate and maintain updated resources relevant to new incoming postdocs that includes but not limited to: housing, commuting options, benefits, child care support, etc.

c) The orientation committee chair shall personally lead the presentation at the orientation sessions and in case of his/her absence, is responsible for finding a suitable replacement to lead the session.


To be eligible you have to be a current postdoc at MIT and can only nominate yourself for any one position advertised. If you are interested in running, please email pda-president at mit.edu by December 7th, 2018 with details of your name, title, less than 300 word statement on why you believe you make a good fit for the position as well as plans once you get elected (this statement will be made public and sent to all the postdocs through the weekly newsletter). On the day of the elections you will be asked to give a short speech and voting will be held.


MIT-PDA PROJECTS, NEWS AND EVENTS



MIT PDA and Advocacy Committee Current Projects

Extension of some form of MIT E-MAIL after your POSTDOC status at MIT Ends

Currently once your postdoc term at MIT ends and if you were neither an MIT student or associated with MIT in anyway after your Postdoc then you will lose access to your MIT email. In 2016 the PDA proposed that MIT Postdocs get lifetime access to some form of MIT email, similar to how MIT students who graduate have an @alum.mit.edu email. Progress has been made, including discussions with the Faculty Postdoctoral Advisory Committee (FPAC) and the Office of the Vice President for Research. The advocacy committee created a petition that aims at exploring the urgency level of the issue to the current postdoctoral community. If you feel that this issue would warrant the PDA and the concerned representatives at MIT to help Postdocs keep some form of MIT email even after we leave MIT then please sign the petition at this link<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc21HLBtgYPQDXskzXdUWWqJJo7T6YOcTfTkLF1FHpey6tFWQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1>. Depending on the amount of support from the postdoctoral community, this petition would be shared with concerned parties at MIT to encourage further progress on reaching tangible results. The results would determine if this topic should be moved to the top of the postdocs advocacy priority list.


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Working on some form of MIT E-MAIL after your POSTDOC status at MIT Ends: The Advocacy committee is currently looking for 2 volunteers to join the committee and lead the project. If you are interested, send an email to "pda-advocacy at mit.edu<mailto:pda-advocacy at mit.edu>."


Wholesalers Membership Project

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Wholesalers Membership Project: The Advocacy committee is currently working on wholesalers membership cards for postdocs. It was brought to the attention of the PDA that MIT graduate students, should they want have access to a Costco Card. More details on the GSC program can be found here "http://gsc-hca.xvm.mit.edu/costco/". The PDA advocacy committee is looking for 2 volunteers to join the committee and lead the project on working towards getting a similar benefit for Postdocs. If you are interested, send an email to "pda-advocacy at mit.edu<mailto:pda-advocacy at mit.edu>."


PDA Annual Advocacy Survey

Please take the Postdoctoral Association (PDA)'s Annual Advocacy Survey<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6KWVNQ9> (~ 5 minutes, PASSWORD: "mitpda"). The survey results will be used to determine the most critical issues, among the postdoctoral community, that need the PDA Advocacy Committee's attention during the current year.


Postdoc Orientation Session
Lunch will be provided!
November 28, 2018 12PM - 1:15PM
Rm E17 1st floor

You may register for a session via Atlas or  http://web.mit.edu/training/course.html?course=CDT21061c


Postdoc Volleyball and Soccer

Hosted by MIT-PDA Sports Committee

Join us for indoor volleyball (7:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Zesiger Center) and soccer (Thursday 7:00PM to 8PM at MAC Court, Zesiger Center)! Never played before? Don’t worry! All abilities are welcome. Spouses and significant others of postdocs are welcome free of charge! Friends and colleagues may join only if they have an athletics membership (otherwise you may need to pay a 1time entrance fee that is around $15).

Beginner? Show up early to learn how to play and improve skills. The courts are located in the Zesiger center. Enter through the Vassar street entrance and the attendees at the gate should let you through if you say you are with the PDA and present MIT ID. There are bathrooms in the facility where you can change or come with someone with a membership who can give you access to the locker rooms.

sports, Facebook group<https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499342643696472/>!


GLIMPSE (PDA PInG Initiative)

GLIMPSE is a show where we take our mobile recording studio across MIT campus and talk with researchers about their journey, research and outlook. Please visit http://glimpse.mit.edu/ to listen to the latest episodes. If you would like to be a guest on the podcast, or if you would like to submit some art (music, logo designs, etc.), please contact us at glimpse.podcast at gmail.com<mailto:glimpse.podcast at gmail.com>.


CALLS

Call for Nominations: The Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program for Postdoctoral Fellowship 2019-2020

Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholarships are for up to two years. Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholars receive a scholarship of $50,000 per academic year for up to two years, with $36,000 each year for living expenses and $14,000 each year for research ($10,000) and travel ($4,000) expenses. Deadline to apply: Dec. 15, 2018. Learn more about eligibility and application process.<https://www.dropbox.com/s/pzv0lhfhhqila7g/ZuckermanFellowship.pdf?dl=0>

Kaufman Teaching Certificate Program (KTCP)
The Teaching + Learning Lab will soon be accepting applications for the Spring 2019 Kaufman Teaching Certificate Program (KTCP). This engaging and interactive workshop series is for students interested in developing skills to support their teaching at MIT and for students who are planning careers in the academy. To earn a Certificate, participants must complete eight classroom workshops<http://tll.mit.edu/help/workshop-descriptions>, all homework assignments, and two microteaching sessions.
The Spring Program will run from Monday, February 4, through Thursday, May 2, with Sections currently scheduled for Monday mornings, Tuesday mornings, Wednesday mornings, Thursday mornings, Friday mornings, and one Section TBD. A Thursday afternoon Section will be held specifically for students in non-science/non-engineering departments. More details about all the Sections will be available when the online application is opened. The online application will open on Tuesday afternoon, November 20, and remain open through Monday evening, December 10. Space is limited, so be sure to apply during the open application period. Students admitted to the Spring 2019 Program will be notified by email by Wednesday, December 19.
More information to follow on Tuesday, November 20. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact me at book at mit.edu<mailto:book at mit.edu?subject=Question%20about%20Spring%202019%20KTCP>

Funding Opportunity: Apply for 2019 Brain Research Foundation Fay/Frank Seed Grant Program

Brain Research Foundation has invited MIT to nominate one faculty member (Assistant or Associate Professor) to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the Fay/Frank Seed Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to provide startup funds for new research projects in the field of neuroscience that are both innovative and will likely lead to extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other outside funding sources. The objective of the BRF Seed Grant Program is to support new and innovative projects, especially those of junior faculty, who are working in new research directions. BRF Seed Grant awards are not intended to supplement existing grants or be used as bridge funding. Internal proposals are due to OSP Nov. 26. Email Cathy Borgeson (borgesen at mit.edu) for more information. Learn more.<https://d2f4fnz1e8fuj3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2019-SG-Guidelines.pdf>


Funding Opportunity: Apply for MIT Energy Initiative Seed Fund Program

The MIT Energy Initiative Seed Fund Program supports innovative, early-stage research across the energy spectrum, encouraging researchers from throughout MIT’s five schools to collaborate in exploring new energy-related ideas and to open up new avenues for research. Each year, the program attracts well-established energy experts as well as new faculty who need startup support and others who are applying their expertise in different fields to energy for the first time. Funding is provided through the MITEI Founding and Sustaining Members Program<http://energy.mit.edu/membership/>. All MIT faculty or research staff with principal investigator privileges are eligible. Deadline to apply: Nov. 30, 2018

If you know of any other funding opportunity or calls that may be relevant to postdocs then please send an email to pda-corresponding at mit.edu and we can help spread the word around campus

OTHER MIT EVENTS


Through the Looking Glass: The Editorial Perspective of Scientific Publishing
Interested in knowing how to get published in Nature or what the editor does after receiving your submission? Come to a talk by Nature Editor, Dr. Angela Eggleston, on Nov 19.

Who: Angela K. Eggleston | Senior Editor, Nature
Where: 50 Vassar Street, MIT building 34, room 101
When: Monday, Nov 19th 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
RSVP: http://mitcommlab.mit.edu/home/nature-talk/

Event organizer:
Wei Sun Leong / wsleong at mit.edu<mailto:wsleong at mit.edu>
EECS Postdoctoral Associate / Communication Lab Advisor


MIT Creative Arts Council

Postdocs are invited to attend concerts and lectures on campus, a full schedule of arts events can be found on the MIT Events Calendar http://calendar.mit.edu/calendar?event_types%5B%5D=102755<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=TggnCen6sXmUDMABJ_Q_TKF4ubEyNlWEcAY9B1g2ZOK2TUInTiHWCA..&URL=http%3a%2f%2fcalendar.mit.edu%2fcalendar%3fevent_types%255B%255D%3d102755>
Did you know that MIT has a museum, an art center and 8 galleries? Come check them out! https://arts.mit.edu/exhibitions/<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=U_NAyKkBWJA09KHEhANr7YotbAumnja6-M8h3EC7ewO2TUInTiHWCA..&URL=https%3a%2f%2farts.mit.edu%2fexhibitions%2f>

Did you know that MIT provides free tickets for MIT Staff (=postdocs) to Museum of Fine Arts<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> (MFA), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>(ISGM) Institute of Contemporary Art<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> (ICA)? Don’t forget to bring your MIT ID with you!

Current Exhibition at MIT LIST CENTER

Tony Conrad (American, 1940–2016) graduated from Harvard University in 1962 with a degree in Mathematics. While studying at Harvard, Conrad was exposed to the ideas of an influential American avant-garde composer and music theorist, John Cage<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>, which predetermined the future shift of Conrad’s career towards experimental music and film making. Tony Conrad once said that he moved to New York in the early 1960s and entered into the art scene because of his interest in music, but went to film because music was "too boring." Interestingly, Conrad's musical and video ideas are often based on mathematical principles, providing an example of work at the intersection of art and science. The MIT List Visual Art Center presents a retrospective of Tony Conrad's artworks throughout his six-decade career, which includes his rarely seen films and videos, 20-year long “Yellow movies,” and later works such as “Underwear paintings”.


MSP&C Toddler Play Group
November 20, 2018 10:30AM - 11:30AM
E55-Penthouse

This is a weekly group for parents of toddlers, to share information and support each other.
For more information contact  spousesandpartners at mit.edu<mailto:spousesandpartners at mit.edu>

This group is sponsored by the Office of Graduate Education and MIT Spouses & Partners Connect, a dedicated network for the significant others of MIT students, postdocs, staff and faculty who have relocated to the Boston area. We organize activities that help you meet people, discover work and career opportunities, improve your English, share experiences and passions, and get information about living and parenting in Boston.

MIT S&PC Cooking Group

November 23, 2018 11AM-2PM (please confirm with organisers)
Eastgate Penthouse

The MIT Cooking Group is open for all the MIT community. For those who love and have a passion for food and cooking. Our members have a varied level of cooking skills, but we all share a common interest in learning about new dishes, making friends, and exploring new cultures and techniques. We come together to share our culinary experiences and passion. This group is led by Katerina Vinichenko. Every Friday two members volunteer to prepare the main course and a dessert, while the rest help with the preparation of the dishes and with the cleaning afterwards, or by playing with the kids (we are a kids friendly group).

We meet at the Penthouse of Eastgate from 11am - 2pm. For each meeting you need to send an email to the coordinator so they can know how many people are coming to the meeting and the cookers can buy the ingredients accordingly. At the end we all share the recipes, pictures and the cost of the ingredients for the food. If no volunteers sign up for a particular date, we will cancel the meeting. We welcome any member of the MIT community that has an interest in food and that would like to have a good time. You can find us by email at: katerina.vinichenko at gmail.com or on Facebook: MIT Cooking Group.

CAPD - Career Advising and Professional Development

Postdoc 1:1 appointments<https://capd.mit.edu/explore-careers/services-alumni-and-postdocs> are with Bob Dolan in E25-143G. Log  in to CareerBridge<http://careerbridge.mit.edu/>; select "Advising," then “Advising Appointments” to select a time that works for you.

For a list of company presentations on campus this week Refer

Here<https://capd.mit.edu/events>

MIT Alumni Association’s Infinite Connection – Register for an Infinite Connection account to gain access to MIT’s online alumni directory and other resources, including the MIT Alumni Job Board<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=FOU2FkEl2EM7x6UV_y9yYJMDp3bHis2su40w4NGsugJGFJ0-TyHWCA..&URL=https%3a%2f%2falum.mit.edu%2fcareers%2fjobs>. The Alumni Association sends an email message to postdocs once they become eligible. The message contains registration instructions and a unique user ID. See the postdoc page of the Infinite Connection website<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=C7GkuuRQ8XqhtmtHz2MNPjMkTrwhhi5WKY4FbyMGENVGFJ0-TyHWCA..&URL=https%3a%2f%2falum.mit.edu%2fnetworks%2fSharedInterestGroups%2fpost-doc> for information.
*
Writing & Communication Center<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=dnjqtZurWapEwlhrZvDCbvPxlJDyNY54NAjMAliCtz1GFJ0-TyHWCA..&URL=https%3a%2f%2fcmsw.mit.edu%2fwriting-and-communication-center%2f> – One-on-one sessions with professional writers
*

Career planning strategy for Postdocs – details here<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=mgk7EamI92Kdhn2X5HZgFJfd61j1-zoYpuAQNvDE3RZGFJ0-TyHWCA..&URL=https%3a%2f%2fpostdocs.mit.edu%2fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2fdocuments%2fCareer-Planning-Strategy-for-MIT-Postdocs-2015-05-08.docx>, and other tools<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=jQl4nOH2aezwZ7r6vVXg0PaMgMwwG5u5hpzSHaucI35GFJ0-TyHWCA..&URL=https%3a%2f%2fpostdocs.mit.edu%2fcareer-development%2fmentoring-and-advising%2fpostdoctoral-mentoring-and-advising-toolkit>


BPDA EVENTS


Boston Symposium on Careers and Collaboration in Sciences 2019

The Career Development Committee of the Boston Postdoc Association is starting to gear up for organizing the third edition of the Boston Symposium on Careers and Collaboration in Science (B-SoCCS2019). This would be a symposium made by and for postdocs, aimed at offering a lookout to the professional opportunities in the Greater Boston Area, as well as for concentrating professional development workshops and panels in a hectic two-days meeting at the Broad Institute. We are currently looking for volunteer to join in its organization, to brainstorm ideas and themes. To do this, we are going to have a kickoff meeting on November, 29th at the Broad institute at 6:00pm (Board Room, first mezzanine, 415 Main St.). There, we will present an outline of how the symposium will develop and we will discuss ideas with you. Here you will find a useful handout with the committee description<https://docs.google.com/document/d/13IThrcDkUOMMI6ROC2YyORWoaDZpPt7RUNYGqn1LTn8/edit?usp=sharing>. This is a great opportunity for diversifying your CV, expanding your network in a meaningful way and get noticed!
So, sign up on the website<https://bsoccs.org/volunteer-registration/> and come with your ideas and enthusiasm to the meeting!


Nov 19: Navigating the Interview - Chalk talk and beyond; from 6- 8 pm at the Broad Institute, 415 Main Street (Kendall Square), Cambridge, in the Auditorium. (Poster attached) Sponsored by the Boston Postdoctoral Association Careers Group as the third and last session of academic job series. After learning how to craft the research and teaching statements, it is now time to learn how to face the in-person interview process. This workshop focuses on what happens when you actually are invited: how should you prepare and what are you asked to do. A panel of successfully hired young PIs will share their experience and their stories about when they got invited, how they prepared for the interview, and how they navigated through this testing environment.  To register, please follow this link<https://bpda-academic-interview3-tickets.eventbrite.com/>.

Panelists: Dr. Lauren Orefice- HMS/MGH; Dr. Christopher Schmitt- BU; Dr. Penny Buening- Northeastern; Dr. Christopher Johnston- Forsyth Institute


BPDA Pub Night

Feel like having a drink and mingle with the Boston postdoc community? Bring your friends and come to the next BPDA social pub night Friday November 30th at the Abigail's restaurant, starting at 7pm!
#Abigail's Restaurant: 291 Third St, Cambridge, MA 02142



CHECK OUT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL EVENTS

postdocs.mit.edu<http://postdocs.mit.edu> (Office VPR)

MIT CAPD 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



Work Life Center
The MIT Work-Life Center is pleased to announce the launch of the Fall 2018 Seminar Series<http://hrweb.mit.edu/worklife/seminars>.  The presenters, who are experts in their fields, will share research-based strategies, tips, and information on more than 25 topics, including pathways to well-being; navigating life as a young professional; parenting in the digital age; planning and paying for college; learning how to help an aging family member; managing your finances; and planning for your retirement.
Childcare Information – Check out the resources and schedule of presentations offered by the MIT Work-Life Center  https://hr.mit.edu/worklife/child-care
All seminars and webinars are free of charge and open to the entire MIT community and their families. However,  registration<http://hr.mit.edu/worklife/seminars/all> is required.
The MIT Work-Life Center’s popular Seminar Series provides research-based strategies, tips, and information to help you deal with a diverse array of work-life issues.Please visit: http://hr.mit.edu/worklife/seminars

http://hr.mit.edu/worklife/seminars/all


MIT HR offers resources and tools to help employees and managers grow and develop skills

Please check: http://hr.mit.edu/learn<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=m7bs6G4sboXRwqtvNj4b5mBjE5bOlaojwxdCd0Qtou7uzhApSyHWCA..&URL=http%3a%2f%2fhr.mit.edu%2flearn>


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 Om under the dome
Sessions are held every Monday at noon and Thursday at 5:30pm (excluding Institute holidays).
Monday, November 19, 2018 12:00pm
Building 10-500
https://calendar.mit.edu/event/om_under_the_dome#.W6U8hM5JGUk<https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=4i2MdAHabSrg9mDq4Ub_GJDrTeRHMiCpZP86wYTyyx_uzhApSyHWCA..&URL=https%3a%2f%2fcalendar.mit.edu%2fevent%2fom_under_the_dome%23.W6U8hM5JGUk>

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: https://hr.mit.edu/diversity-inclusion/ergs


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 provides this benefit

through a special MBTA* chip embedded in the MIT ID card. (*Massachusetts Bay

Transportation Authority). Check the back of your ID card. If “Charlie INSIDE!” is written on it,

you are all set. Questions? Visit the Atlas Service Center (E17-106).



OTHER RESOURCES



Free Membership for the National Postdoctoral Association

MIT is a Sustaining Member of the NPA, which means you can become an affiliate member for free. This will help you network with other postdocs across the country and gain access to members only resources that can help further your career. To join, click on this Affiliate Memberships direct link for MIT<http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/general/register_start.asp?regkey=B87D7B9B-5C95-48F6-9ECA-A5014531B05D> and follow the registration process, using your MIT email address. Once you click “submit,” the NPA will review your request and confirm your membership by email about a week later.








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