|
Dear Postdoctoral Community,
As 2023 draws to a close, I hope you give yourself time to relax and enjoy the winter break. Please take this opportunity to decompress and be with family and friends.
Thank you to our VPA Symposium Planning Committee for their dedication in making the 17th Annual VPA Symposium a success. Congratulations to all the award winners!
During the day’s symposium, we had the opportunity to learn about your research programs through more than 60 posters and lightning round talks. I hope you were inspired by your colleagues and were able to enjoy the company of your fellow postdocs' during the networking hour.
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.
I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
| |
|
C. André Christie-Mizell
Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Dean of the Graduate School
Centennial Professor of Sociology
| |
| | Review of the 17th Annual VPA Symposium!
| |
| The 17th Annual VPA Symposium was held on Friday, November 17. The interdisciplinary one-day conference consisted of a keynote by Dr. Keivan Stassun, poster presentations, lightning talks, a professional development session with Dr. Ashley Brady, academic and non-academic alumni panels, and a lively reception to end the day. Congratulations to the following award recipients:
Poster Winners:
Ann Hanna
Victoria Simon
Caitlyn Edwards
Rafay Ahmed - Session A People's Choice
Yutaka Shishido - Session B People's Choice
Lightning Talk Winners:
1st Place - Neelima Wagley
2nd Place - Timothy Harris
| |
| 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!
| |
| | VPA Speak Easy - January 18 at 5:00 p.m.
| |
|
VU & VUMC Limited Submission OpportunityNCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00)
Applications due December 7, 2023
Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.
Overview
VU and VUMC may each submit one application per scientific focus area to the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) programs. The scientific focus areas are Cancer Data Science, Cancer Control Science, Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention and Other Cancer Research. There are three separate RFAs, which allow different types of proposed research (e.g. basic, clinical): PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and PAR-23-288. Each of VU and VUMC’s four selected applicants (1/focus area) may apply to whichever RFAs best suit their research proposals.
The objective of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award is to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers complete needed, mentored career training and transition in a timely manner to independent tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. The program will provide independent NCI research support during this transition to help awardees to launch competitive, independent research careers. The K99/R00 award is intended to foster the development of a creative, independent research program that will be competitive for subsequent independent funding and that will help advance the mission of the NCI.
This program is designed for outstanding postdoctoral fellows with research and/or clinical doctoral degrees who do not require extended periods of mentored research training beyond their original doctoral degrees before transitioning to research independence. Researchers in the scientific areas of cancer control, cancer prevention and cancer data sciences are especially encouraged to apply.
Individuals must be in mentored, postdoctoral training positions to be eligible to apply to the K99/R00 program. The K99/R00 award will provide up to 5 years of support in two phases. The initial (K99) phase will provide support for up to 2 years of mentored postdoctoral research training and career development. The second (R00) phase will provide up to 3 years of independent research support, which is contingent on satisfactory progress during the K99 phase and obtaining an approved, independent tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position.
The award covers up to $100,000 per year toward the salary of the career award recipient, and up to $30,000 per year toward the research development costs of the award recipient.
See solicitations for full program and eligibility details:
- PAR-23-286 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed
- PAR-23-287 - Independent Clinical Trial Required
- PAR-23-288 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required
Internal Application Process:
Anyone interested in being considered to submit a proposal must submit the following materials by 5 p.m. on December 7, 2023. Note the different submission instructions for VU and VUMC postdocs, below.
- Brief (2-page maximum) research plan including summary budget
- Statement of support from department chair/center director;
- NIH Biosketch
For VU-employed Postdocs:
- Submit all application materials via InfoReady by December 7, 2023 at the following link: https://vanderbilt.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1923211
- In your application, indicate to which RFA and which scientific focus area (cancer data science, cancer control science, molecular/precision cancer prevention, or other cancer research) you would apply.
- Any questions about this opportunity, eligibility, or the LSO process may be directed to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.
For VUMC-employed Postdocs:
- Submit all application materials in a single PDF to lso@vanderbilt.edu by December 7, 2023. Visit the OOR site for more detail.
- In your email, indicate to which RFA and which scientific focus area (cancer data science, cancer control science, molecular/precision cancer prevention, or other cancer research) you would apply.
- Any questions about this opportunity, eligibility, or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.
| |
| 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.
| |
|
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:
| |
| 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!
| |
| Now Leasing: The Broadview at Vanderbilt
The Broadview at Vanderbilt has recently expanded its eligibility to include Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center postdoctoral fellows. The Broadview'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!
Be one of our first residents to live in a 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.
| |
|
| Connect with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
| |
| Connect with the Vanderbilt Postdoc Association (VPA)
| |
| Postdoc Spotlight: Kaylin Hill, Ph.D.
Kaylin Hill is a postdoc in the Psychology & Human Development department at Vanderbilt's Peabody College of Education where she works to understand depression and how it may differ across different developmental periods throughout one's life. Kaylin discusses how it's one of the most common, yet most costly disorders and aims to reduce the burden of the disorder on individuals and families. Read more about her work and her passion for better understanding emotion and mood related disorders in our December postdoc feature here.
| |
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!
| |
|
National Postdoc Association
NPA SmartSkills: Leadership and Management in Scholarly Research
Graduate school and postdoctoral training are designed to make you an independent researcher or scientist, ready to tackle pressing questions and drive cutting-edge research. But running your own research projects and leading a team involves more than applying your scientific skills; it requires managing both people and projects. In this workshop we will discuss approaches to being a leader and a manager, and how to guide and mentor the students, postdocs, and staff that will eventually be part of your amazing, successful team! Register here for the December 19 virtual course.
| |
| 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.
| |
| 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/.
| |
|
