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Dear Postdoctoral Community,
I hope you are all taking a moment to enjoy the beginning of spring now that the weather has begun to warm up.
As I have previously mentioned, we will honor and recognize the accomplishments of postdocs and faculty mentors in our upcoming annual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 23. This event is a testament to the outstanding achievements of our postdoctoral community. The awardees will be featured in the Graduate School sesquicentennial time capsule, to be opened in 2074.
The OPA team and I recently attended the 2024 Annual National Postdoc Association (NPA) Conference in Seattle, Washington. We had the opportunity to speak with the directors and staff of other postdoc offices and heard really great ideas about how to better serve you. Additionally, we heard a lot of information and research on ways to serve our international postdocs more efficiently. I am excited to apply what we learned. We will incorporate this information in upcoming initiatives of both the OPA and VPA.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of assistance.
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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Join Us: Annual Postdoctoral Awards on May 23
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To RSVP to the ceremony and reception, click here.
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| | VPA Happy Hour: Friday, April 19 at 4:00 p.m.
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| Sign Up for the Postdoc Academy!
The Postdoc Academy's massive open online course (MOOC) Succeeding as a Postdoc is a free, asynchronous course that addresses foundational skills and career planning, establishing the professional habits postdocs will need to strategically prepare for their career and succeed in their postdoc. An additional opportunity to engage with the material and to develop community is open to postdocs at SEC institutions. Interested postdocs will need to register for these concurrent learning sessions, separately.
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| Symposium Planning Committee: Calling All Postdocs!
The Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) is looking for postdocs to join this year’s VPA 2024 Symposium Planning Committee. As a planning committee member, you will have the opportunity to work with other postdocs from VU and VUMC to assist with the planning of the VPA’s largest event. Requirements include attending a 1-hour virtual and some in-person monthly (February to September) and bi-monthly (September-October) meetings to assist with the planning/preparation of the 2024 Symposium, attending the full-day symposium event on Monday, October 14, 2024, and willingness to work in groups to support the Symposium event. This is a 10-month commitment.
For more information on past symposia, please visit the VPA website.
If you are interested in learning more or would like to join the committee, please fill out the RedCap survey using the button below.
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The NIH Office of Clinical Research Education and Collaboration Outreach (OD/OCRECO) offers this free, self-paced online course now through August 1, 2024. Graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, medical, dental, and pharmacy students, scientists, nurses, and other health professionals are encouraged to enroll now. The syllabus can be found here.
Course Details:
- The course is free, online, and self-paced
- A certificate of completion is awarded to participants who achieve an 80% or higher score on the final exam
- The course focuses on the spectrum of clinical research and the research process by highlighting biostatistical and epidemiological methods, study designs, protocol development, quality assurance, ethical and legal issues, and much more
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| | Brock Family Center for Applied Innovation
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Thursday, April 18 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 pm. | Virtual Webinar
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Tuesday, April 30 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 pm. | 202 Light Hall
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| | Scientist in the Classroom: Applications Now Open!
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Applications are now open for established postdocs to apply to the Scientist in the Classroom Partnership program. This program is a wonderful opportunity for scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals that are interested in engaging local middle school teachers and students in weekly hands-on experiments. Selected fellows are partnered with a MNPS teacher to co-teach science lessons and conduct experiments one day each week during the school year. It’s a great way to gain teaching experience and build connection with the next generation of citizens and future scientists. A monthly stipend for the fellow’s time is awarded.
More information and the digital application can be found on the CSEO website.
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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. The next session hosting the Writing Studio will be April 16. See you there!
No registration required.
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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 on Handshake.
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| | Visit the Adventure Science Center!
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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, April 9 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, April 16 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, April 23 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, April 30 | 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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| | Bagel Brunch with the Women's Center
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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.
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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: Laura Carter-Stone, Ph.D.
Laura Carter-Stone is a postdoc in the Center for Teaching at Vanderbilt University. In her psotdoctoral role, Laura works closely with postdocs, faculty, and students through interactive lecturing, teaching, and one-on-one consultations. Prior to her work as a postdoc, Laura taught at a variety of levels, from kindergartners to master's level students. Laura loves growing her knowledge of effective teaching across disciplines while working with Vanderbilt's PhD level students and postdoctoral scholars. She teaches a section of the Certificate in College Teaching Practicum, through which participants design a portion of a class and plan, teach, and reflect on their lesson plans. Read more about her work and current projects in our April postdoc feature here.
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SAVE THE DATE!
VPA 2024 Symposium
Mark it in your calendars! This year, the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association's Symposium will be held in the Student Life Center on Monday, October 14.
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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: Promoting Productive Postdoc Conversations - Giving and Receiving Effective Feedback
In this session, Sarah Hokanson, Ph.D. (Boston University, Postdoc Academy), will provide a framework for postdocs to use when preparing for different types of feedback conversations with supervisors and/or mentors. Postdocs will also reflect on ways to receive and take action on feedback effectively. Register here for the April 23 virtual course.
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| New VPA Slack Channel!
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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| 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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