MIT PDA Weekly Newsletter - 16th February, 2022

Tue Feb 15 23:36:41 EST 2022

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MITPDA Newsletter
February 16th, 2022 | pda.mit.edu<https://pda.mit.edu/>

MIT PDA executive board is meeting Prof. Maria Zuber this Friday
In preparation for a meeting with Vice President of Research (VPR) Maria Zuber, the PDA would like to evaluate your financial situation at MIT. In brief, the rising cost of living in the Boston/Cambridge area currently does not align with the salary/compensation/stipend increase. To have solid grounds for our discussion with the VPR, we need to evaluate the current situation of the postdocs at MIT and we are grateful to all of you for completing this survey!
The link is: https://forms.gle/M7qsckmctnkCDhJQ8
IMPORTANT: THIS SURVEY IS COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS!!

Highlights from PDA's last meet with Prof. Zuber (10.29.2021)
PDA officers talked on behalf of the postdoc community about compensation and appointments,

  *   Emphasized the disparity of the postdoc salary and living cost in Cambridge.
  *   Described immense financial pressure on postdocs regarding ‘Housing and Childcare’.
  *   Brought up the negative aspects of one-year appointments which prevent the international postdocs to settle in as procedures like renting properties, driving licenses, and education for children are dependent upon the postdoc’s tenure.
  *   Asked to improve and equilibrate access to Postdoc Orientation material across DLCs.
  *   Asked for improved access to Postdoctoral Resource Fair material.
  *   Suggested some new avenues to amend PDA budget through e.g. the departments.

Prof. Zuber responded to issues raised by the PDA officers,

  *   Mentioned that she is in favor of raising the salaries of the postdocs.
  *   Informed that a raise covered by MIT, is only possible by capping the number of postdocs in each DLC but such a resolution would be hard to get approved by faculty members.
  *   On the tenure of the postdoc issue, she mentioned that PIs can only provide one-year appointment since the funds to the PIs are only guaranteed for the first year (for federally funded appointments).
General PDA meeting
This general meeting will be recurring on the ‘FIRST' Tuesday of every month unless otherwise rescheduled. Participation of all postdocs across MIT is highly appreciated. Please take a step forward to grab the opportunities to get involved in the PDA this year.
Next PDA meet: 03.01.2022, 12-1 pm. Find the zoom<https://mit.zoom.us/j/96956637192> link here.
This meeting is open to ALL postdocs. Please attend to learn more about the activities of the PDA.

MIT Postdocs Slack Space
We are happy to announce that as part of the effort to create more efficient communication throughout our Postdocs community, we have created a Slack space on the MIT corporate Slack named MIT Postdocs<https://mit-postdocs.slack.com/>. We invite everyone to join us at this. This Slack space is meant to be a more efficient forum for all MIT Postdocs to interact and organize/attend events as well as communicate more efficiently. You may go through the channel #welcome_and_organization for a detailed description.
Feel free to reach out to Jonathan (cottet at mit.edu<mailto:cottet at mit.edu>)  for any feedback/suggestions and also if you want to be involved in the MIT PDA Community Building committee.

PDA & Other Events:
    Call for Postdoc Initiative Grant (PInG) proposals
    A message from Ombuds
    PDA DEI committee meeting
    -Social Events
    MIT PDA Friday Karaoke Night
    qtPhDs @ MIT for LGBTQIA+ Postdoc
    MIT Postdoc Running Club-Weekend runs
   -Career and Professional Development
    Career Advising for Postdocs
    More...
Funding Opportunities and Jobs
    Job openings at March Therapeutics (MarchTx)
    CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship
    An extensive list of fellowships is available here<https://pda.mit.edu/resources/fellowships/>
Miscellaneous
Please scroll down for details

PDA & Other Events

Call for Postdoc Initiative Grant (PInG) proposals
Do you have an idea for an activity or event that you think would benefit postdocs in 2021? The MIT-PDA is pleased to announce a call for a second (spring) round of Postdoc Initiative Grant (PInG) proposals. The grant aims to financially support a range of activities, events, and projects. PInG activities should be open to all postdocs across MIT (e.g. an application cannot be made for a Biology lunch series). Example activities include but are not limited to Social gatherings, Recreational activities, Arts and cultural programs, Mental health, and stress support groups, professional development seminars and workshops, Groups to support postdoc women, parents, or minorities.https://pda.mit.edu/events/ping/. 
Download application form here: PInG Application form<https://pda.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-PInG-Application-2.docx>. Send filled form to pda-ping at mit.edu<mailto:pda-ping at mit.edu>.
We look forward to hearing your plans!

A message from Ombuds
MIT Ombuds Office – Any Time, Any Reason!
During these uncertain times, everyone’s resilience is being tested in countless ways. From navigating the challenges of continuing to learn and work remotely with colleagues and peers under stress, to negotiating new ways of collaborating and communicating. The Ombuds Office is available to offer support and assistance to the MIT community in navigating these challenges and exploring constructive options for success. We are available for confidential phone or Zoom meetings and can also facilitate online sessions and group discussions to help teams’ function and support good communication skills during this challenging period.  Contact information: kalina_s at mit.edu<mailto:kalina_s at mit.edu> or call 617-253-5921. More details here<http://ombudsoffice.mit.edu/>.

PDA DEI committee meeting
The next PDA DEI committee meeting will be first Tuesday of every month from 1-1:30 pm (right after our monthly PDA meeting).  We'll talk about the DEI efforts happening across campus and what we can do to support them. Please find the Zoom [http:// https://mit.zoom.us/j/4705361683]<https://mit.zoom.us/j/4705361683> link for the meeting.
Feel free to ask Katya (arquilla at mit.edu<http://arquilla@mit.edu>) for details.

MIT PDA Friday Karaoke Night

When: Friday night 5:30 pm-8:00 pm, Starting Nov. 12th, 2021
Where: Station Bistro & KTV at Boston Downtown
Sign up<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScp6bLF6sEUCtE580MrTTrbdqbphMdBRnaTjaZHBlJpQ4YHtg/viewform> now for a leisure Friday Karaoke Night. Shouting out loud your favorite songs or singing with your deep gentle voices with a group of postdocs from various departments, learning new songs from postdocs with various backgrounds, cultures, let’s build happy memories at MIT with melodies! Don’t hesitate to reach out to Lingyan<http://dengly@mit.edu/> for details.
Sign each week for free for a limited first come first serve basis.
qtPhDs @ MIT for LGBTQIA+ Postdocs
Are you an LGBTQIA+ postdoc? Come join us at qtPhDs!
qtPhDs is a place for LGBTQIA+ postdocs at MIT to connect and find support, solidarity, and friends, as well as a group that can interface with other advocacy and equity efforts taking place on campus. We are a welcoming and inclusive space-- however you identify, if you feel that qtPhDs is the right space for you, please reach out!
We hold monthly coffee events (every 1st Monday at 3pm) and after-work meetups (every 3rd Thursday at 6pm).
If you would like to learn more, check out our website, or email<http://qtphds_admin@mit.edu/> us to join our mailing list and Slack channel to keep up to date with all upcoming events!

MIT Postdoc Running Club-Weekend runs
Come join us for a run along the Charles!
The plan is to meet during the weekend, typically in the morning, at 77 Mass Ave for a warm-up and then we will go for a run around Charles river. All abilities are welcome. We will form groups ranging from beginners to experienced runners.
Please join our Slack channel #running<https://app.slack.com/client/T02CAHKGZ17/C02BH7V8H9D> on the “MIT Postdocs” Slack Space and our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/261187805334152/ (day and time may change due to weather conditions)

CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – advance your career

Career Advising for Postdocs
Postdocs are eligible for virtual one-on-one career counseling appointments to talk about a wide range of topics including career exploration, conducting a job search (academic or non-academic), review of application materials, practice interviews, advice on job offers negotiations, and any other questions or concerns. Appointments are now available both in person (M-W) and virtually (M-F). Schedule an appointment<https://app.joinhandshake.com/login> directly via Handshake, and choose your preferred appointment medium. The CAPD office is located at Bldg. E17-294<http://whereis.mit.edu/?go=E17>
In addition, look out for the CAPD Postdoc Career Newsletter email (opt-out, ~2/per month) for upcoming career and professional development opportunities.
Visit the CAPD<https://capd.mit.edu/> website for a variety of resources, including the postdocs<https://capd.mit.edu/channels/postdocs/> landing page, career interests<https://capd.mit.edu/channels/career-interests/> pages, and affinity group<https://capd.mit.edu/channels/affinity-groups/> pages. You can also sign up<https://capd.mit.edu/account/signup/start/> to receive automated emails with career content and updates based on your interests and preferences..
Email Simona Rosu<http://srosu@mit.edu/> with any questions.

Funding Opportunities and Jobs

Job openings at March Therapeutics (MarchTx)
Multiple open positions at March Therapeutics!
If you want to push boundaries of genome writing towards immediate impact in the world join MarchTx! Spun out of MIT and Harvard, March Therapeutics (MarchTx) is a stealth, venture-backed startup developing a novel class of DNA writers for a few dozen monogenic mitochondrial diseases that are all incurable today. Leveraging its proprietary suite of gene therapy tools, MarchTx is currently pursuing multiple preclinical programs in active collaborations with leading hospitals and universities worldwide. Positions open for, Principal Scientist - Genome Engineer<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ca9neLlqJvHWZDLq-zWXViT_CvAXeD77hOalJfwmSIY/edit>; Scientist - Mitochondrial Biologist<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CyT56Zrex-WfaIzDIho8yIHMNng5HkmEjBIjk59yG6s/edit>; Research Associate<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iEBozgZQff2n8PNbIyXQPcmXAYE-iNv_6QU0-yN6Fr8/edit>.

CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship
As part of its commitment to building a more diverse community of future science leaders in immuno-oncology, the Cancer Research Institute is accepting applications for the CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship to Promote Racial Diversity.
There are two application deadlines per year: March 1 and September 1.  In addition, fellowships are three-year awards and provide $171,000 to cover the fellow’s salary for three years along with an annual institutional allowance. Please see the attached for additional information and eligibility criteria. Further details can be found at: https://cancerresearch.org/diversityfellowship.<https://www.cancerresearch.org/en-us/scientists/fellowships-grants/post-doctoral-fellows-promote-diversity>

An extensive list of fellowships is available here<https://pda.mit.edu/resources/fellowships/>
We would like to feature YOUR honors, awards, and accomplishments.
Send an email to Shubhra Jyoti Saha (saha_sj at mit.edu<mailto:saha_sj at mit.edu>)

Miscellaneous

MLK Leadership Award
Details here<https://diversity.mit.edu/mlk-programs/mlk-leadership-award>

Kaufman Teaching Certificate Program
Details here<https://tll.mit.edu/programming/grad-student-programming/kaufman-teaching-certificate-program/>

Broadening Engagement through Engineering at MIT (BEEAM)
Details here<https://pda.mit.edu/broadening-engagement-through-engineering-at-mit-beeam/>

Simons Collaboration on Global Brain Boston Area Postdoc Meeting
Details here<https://www.simonsfoundation.org/collaborations/global-brain/events/>

MIT Creative Arts Council
Postdocs are invited to attend concerts and lectures on campus, Details here<http://calendar.mit.edu/calendar?event_types%5B%5D=102755>

MIT Spouses & Partners Connect
Details here<https://spouses.mit.edu/>

Career Advising and Professional Development
Schedule an appointment here<http://%20https://app.joinhandshake.com/appointments/new>
<https://capd.mit.edu/events>
<https://capd.mit.edu/events/>
<https://capd.mit.edu/events/>CAPD events<https://capd.mit.edu/events><https://capd.mit.edu/events/>

MIT Writing and Communications Centre
Details here<https://cmsw.mit.edu/writing-and-communication-center/>

Peer-to-peer scientific communication resource: Comm Lab
Details here<http://mitcommlab.mit.edu/find-comm-labs/>

MIT Work Life Centre
Details here<https://hr.mit.edu/worklife/center>

MIT Employee Resource Group
Details here<https://hr.mit.edu/diversity-inclusion/ergs>

MIT Alumni Association’s Infinite Connection
Details here<https://pda.mit.edu/resources/career-after-mit/alumni/>
MIT Alumni Job Board<https://alum.mit.edu/careers/jobs>

MITAC
The MIT Activities Committee offers virtual and discounted tickets<https://mitac.mit.edu/w/sitepages/Home.aspx> to the MIT community for local arts and culture, sporting events, and family activities.

Free Membership to the National Postdoctoral Association
Details here<https://www.nationalpostdoc.org/general/register_member_type.asp?regkey=B87D7B9B-5C95-48F6-9ECA-A5014531B05D>

Access MIT Commuter Program
Details here<http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/accessmit/index.html>

Discounts for the MIT Community
Details here<https://vpf.mit.edu/discounts-for-mit-community>

MIT Postdoctoral Association
Contact us<https://pda.mit.edu/about/contact/> | Get involved!<https://pda.mit.edu/about/get-involved/>

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