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Dear Postdoctoral Community,
Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful break and have been able to return to your work recharged and refreshed.
The start of a new year is always an exciting time to plan for the year ahead. I look forward to the great things we will accomplish together in 2024.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly or contact the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs if you have questions or need support.
Best,
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C. André Christie-Mizell
Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Dean of the Graduate School
Centennial Professor of Sociology
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L'Oréal USA for Women in Science Fellowship Program
The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program awards five women postdoctoral scientists annually with grants of $60,000 each for their contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and commitment to serving as role models for younger generations.
The program has awarded 100 postdoctoral women scientists over $5 million in grants to advance their research and careers.
The L’Oréal USA FWIS Program is seeking five exceptional women scientists to advance their research and serve as role models for the next generation of girls in STEM.
Applications will remain open until February 16, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Candidates must have completed their PhD and have started their postdoctoral research position by the application deadline. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply.
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| New VPA Slack Channel!
Hi Postdocs! The VPA is excited to introduce a new and improved Slack channel for all VU and VUMC postdocs!
The VPA is revamping the VandyPostdocs Slack channel to foster a vibrant postdoctoral community, with dedicated channels for all general announcements, calendar events for all postdoc-related activities, job postings, social events (both formal and informal), and discussion about anything and everything!
*Must re-signup even if you have previously signed into the former Slack because this is a brand new channel!
How to sign into VandyPostdocs Slack:
- Visit the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Associatiion website.
- Click the link at the bottom (vandypostdocs.slack.com).
- Sign up with your VU or VUMC email.
- Launch Slack in your browser or download the app.
Then you should be all set! Feel free to post a message in any of the channels or request to start a new channel based on an interest you may have.
Important Note:
Must be signed in with VU/VUMC email to access VandyPostdocs Slack workspace.
Explore the VandyPostdocs Slack Channel today and connect with your fellow postdocs. For any assistance, contact the OPA (opa@vanderbilt.edu) or the VPA Community Building Co-Chairs (jayden.lee@vumc.org or yasmina.mekki@vumc.org). Let's build a stronger, more connected postdoc community together!
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| | VPA Speak Easy - January 18 at 5:00 p.m.
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| | English Language Center Postdoc Workshop Series
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These modules are intended to provide the resources and space for international postdocs to discuss, practice, and ask questions about the postdoc experience in the US. Attendees will have opportunities to meet and interact virtually with other international postdocs, submit materials for individualized feedback, and receive supplementary materials online.
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| COMPASS: Spring Cohort Launches January 29Leadership & Management Training & Mentoring for Early-Career Researchers
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This January, the Washington University School of Medicine will be hosting the fourth cohort of Compass – a new online training and mentoring program to develop leadership and management skills for early-career biomedical researchers. Compass is open to all biomedical junior faculty and late-stage postdocs at U.S. academic institutions who lead or plan to lead a lab or research team. Biomedical research is broadly defined – it includes, but is not limited to, basic sciences, clinical, public health, computational, and behavioral/social research disciplines. Compass focuses on practical skills and resources that are immediately applicable to program scholars. As an NIH-funded program, there is no cost to participate.
Compass includes both independent and team-based learning, as well as several live virtual events. The cohort launches on January 29th and the foundational training will run for 10 weeks. Compass balances structure and flexibility to meet the needs of busy researchers. After the foundational training, scholars remain a member of the Compass community with continued access to peer mentoring and live virtual sessions with experienced mentors.
More information and the application are available on their website at https://researchercompass.org.
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Graduate and Postdoc Academic SuccessThe Graduate & Postdoc Academic Success (GPAS) are here to support graduate students and postdocs with anything that keeps them from doing their best academic work. They provide strategies to address concerns around progress and productivity, as well as, navigating academic relationships. They address your needs through 1-on-1 consultations and success planning sessions. Additionally, both of their staff members are Gallup-Certified Strength Coaches and able to give you access to the CliftonStrengths Assessment to help you accomplish your best work utilizing an authentic approach to who you are and how you show up. If you are interested in meeting with one of the staff members, you can schedule an appointment here. If you ever feel like you are “stuck” in your writing and/or research, we hope that you will reach out and connect with them.
Spring 2024: Weekly "Co-Working" Sessions
The GPAS staff will also be offering weekly 'co-working' sessions through the Spring 2024 term on Tuesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall Graduate Student & Postdoc Lounge (Room 100) for anyone to come by and work alongside them. This time can be used for writing, planning or other academic projects. Nick or Stacey will be there to discuss any goals setting or accountability questionsdd you may have. If you are looking for a quiet space to work on projects in the company of colleagues, this is the place to stop in. They will also provide free coffee (and sometimes snacks)! Free writing consultations will be provided by the Writing Studio once a month during the co-working sessions: January 16, February 20, March 19, and April 16. See you there!
No registration required.
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| Spring 2024: Peak Performance Series
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This workshop series is designed to promote expert performance by exploring common issues impacting graduate and professional students and postdocs. During each session, we will briefly cover theory and research on the topic and provide a space for attendees to discuss their related experiences and to gain support and consultation.
Both Graduate Students and Postdocs are welcome to register. Sessions held in person only. Space is limited, RSVPs are required.
Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome
Thursday, January 25 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Center for Student Wellbeing
This workshop is designed to explore the concepts of Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome, to share experiences about how they affect our work, and to outline strategies to acknowledge and resist the thoughts that get in our way.
Motivation, Mindset, & Goal-Setting
Thursday, February 8 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Center for Student Wellbeing
This workshop is designed to explore the concepts of motivation and mindset, to share experiences about how they affect our work, and to outline strategies on how to set goals that keep us motivated and productive.
Managing Conflict & Relationships
Thursday, February 22 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Center for Student Wellbeing
This workshop is designed to explore conflict within academia, to share experiences about how conflict has affected your work, and to outline strategies on how to navigate academic relationships that foster clear boundaries and expectations.
Performing Under Pressure
Thursday, March 7 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Center for Student Wellbeing
This workshop is designed to acknowledge the pressures of academia, to share experiences about how they affect our work, and to outline strategies on how to fight procrastination and increase efficiency in an ever-demanding environment.
Finding Work/Life Balance
Thursday, March 21 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Center for Student Wellbeing
This workshop is designed to explore your professional and personal values and responsibilities, to share experiences about how they affect your work, and to outline strategies to ensure that you are giving adequate time to your holistic needs.
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Career CenterThe Career Center supports VU postdocs with the non-academic career exploration and planning of postdoctoral fellows in STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences disciplines. At the Career Center, students and postdoctoral fellows learn and explore professional opportunities through internships, career coaching, workshops, career panels, on-campus recruiting, job fairs, and industry-based treks. Currently, Jessica Abner, PhD and Whitney Taylor, PhD serve as the Senior Career Coaches for the postdoctoral population. If you're interested in taking advantage of any of their services, please check out their website for more information and to make an appointment. Additionally, you can attend some of their upcoming events listed below!
Picturing Your Career Story
Wednesday, January 23 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Student Life Center Atrium
Free headshots, LinkedIn consultations, & snacks!
Mapping Your Career Story
Wednesday, January 31 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Alumni Hall
Free Lunch Provided
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BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program The BRET Office Career Development ASPIRE Program provides career and professional development services and enrichment activities for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences at VU and VUMC.
Upcoming Events Hosted by the BRET Office of Career Development:
CV/Resumé Drop-In Clinics
Tuesday, January 16 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, January 23 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, January 30 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, February 6 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
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| The Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center is an on-campus office and resource to help celebrate and empower women in both their professional and personal aspirations, helping to boast their overall lives as they navigate through their time at Vanderbilt University. You can read more about the Women's Center on their website and by attending some of their upcoming events below!
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| Now Leasing: The Broadview at Vanderbilt
The Broadview at Vanderbilt's ideal location on Broadway and 20th Avenue in midtown Nashville puts you just 2 blocks from the Vanderbilt campus and half a mile from VUMC, making your commute a breeze!
The Broadview offers brand-new studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment. Each home is outfitted with upscale features and finishes including a fully equipped kitchen, stainless steel appliances, wood-style flooring, in-unit washer/dryer, and private bedrooms and bathrooms.
Upcoming Events
Meet & Greet
Meet the Broadview team on January 19th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and learn more about the property. We're offering tours, finger foods and drinks at the office so come by and say hi!
Open Houses
Join us on January 11th, 19th and 23rd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for our open house events where you can explore The Broadview.
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| Connect with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
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| Connect with the Vanderbilt Postdoc Association (VPA)
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| Postdoc Spotlight: Kanchana Devanathan, Ph.D.
Kanchana Devanathan is a postdoc in the Biomedical Engineering department in the School of Engineering where she works with the Vanderbilt Biophotonics Center (VBC) to develop optical diagnostic and treatment modalities. Kanchana works closely with the VPA and was an integral member of the Symposium Planning Committee for the 2023 VPA Symposium. Read more about her work and her engagement with the community since relocating to Nashville in our January postdoc feature here.
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The Career Center is proud to present their free, self-service photo booth. Just step inside, pose, and share!
Located in the Student Life Center, this resource is free and available to the entire Vanderbilt community. The photo booth is available for use anytime the Student Life Center is open. Check out this flyer for more details!
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National Postdoc Association
NPA SmartSkills: The Hidden Curriculum
Regardless of career stage, whether you are a student, postdoc, staff, faculty, or a non-academic professional, there almost always is a "hidden curriculum," otherwise known as the "unwritten rules," to navigate to achieve success. So how does one address things that are seemingly hidden? From building professional relationships to identifying champions for career growth, we will explore ways to demystify the hidden curriculum while improving equity, inclusion and belonging. Register here for the January 23 virtual course.
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| Employee Affinity Groups
Employee Affinity Groups (EAGs) are open to all Vanderbilt employees, regardless of identity. Staff, faculty, and postdoctoral scholars who identify as part of or have a close affinity to these groups are encouraged to attend. You can learn more about which group you identify most with from our options below:
Association of Vanderbilt Black Faculty and Staff (AVBFS)
Women & Working Moms
To learn more about Employee Affinity Groups or to join, visit the EAG website.
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| Nature Masterclass
Nature Masterclasses are developed by Nature Research and provide professional development training for researchers by drawing on the expertise of Nature Research journal editors and experts. Faculty, staff, postdocs, and students of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center are free to sign up at https://masterclasses.nature.com/.
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