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Dear Postdoctoral Community,
Thank you to everyone who participated in the events during the National Postdoc Appreciation Week. I look forward to your continued engagement this year. Notably, the 18th Annual Symposium will be held on Monday, October 14, in the Student Life Center. Further, our annual holiday postdoc luncheon will be held on December 9. Finally, please note that open enrollment for benefits for VU- and VUMC-employed postdocs is this month. Read more below and mark your calendars for these important dates.
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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| | VPA Symposium: Monday, October 14
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The 18th Annual Vanderbilt Postdoc Symposium is scheduled for Monday, October 14 in the Student Life Center.
The symposium will include:
- Welcome Remarks from André Christie-Mizell, Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Dean of the Graduate School, and Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at Vanderbilt Universit
- Research Talk by Dr. Eric Moses Gurevitch, 2024 Postdoctoral Fellow of the Year
- Lunch & Keynote Address by Dr. Patricia Clark, O'Hara Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Associate Vice President for Research, and Director of Biophysics Instrumentation Core Facility, University of Notre Dame
- On Campus Resource Fair
- Poster and Lightning Talk Presentations with Q&A
- Career Talk on Innovation & Entrepreneurship with Dr. Kevin Galloway, Director of Making at the Wond'ry and Dr. Charleson Bell, The Wond'ry I-Corps Hub Director
- Workshop by GPAS: Leadership & Management Skills
- Panel on Communication & Public Engagement
- Closing Remarks & Award Ceremony
For more information on past symposia, please visit the VPA website.
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| | You're Invited! Annual Postdoc Holiday Luncheon
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| | RSVP for 2025 Translational Research Forum
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On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Vanderbilt researchers will be presenting their recently funded science initiatives at the Student Life Center from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The forum will include a talk by Katalin Susztak, MD, PhD as the keynote speaker for the event along with faculty plenary talks, trainee poster sessions, networking opportunities, and more. To attend the event, please register here.
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Libraries' Digital Scholarship and Communicatiosn Office (DiSC)
The DiSC Office, Digital Commons, and Digital Humanities Center have joined forces in the Libraries’ new Digital Lab. This fall, the Digital Lab is sponsoring a variety of events focused on 'Using Amazon Web Services for Enhancing Digital Projects'. The first day of the workshop will give a beginner’s crash course in cloud engineering and some of the basic AWS services, such as Lambda, S3, DynamoDB, EC2, API Gateway, and Amplify. All of the workshops in this series are free, with one more session taking place in-person on October 22 in the Central Library Community Room. For more detailed information and to register, visit there website here.
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| | NIH Tackling Acquisition of Language in Kids (TALK) Workshop Series
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In early 2023, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Tackling Acquisition of Language in Kids (TALK) initiative in response to congressional interest in research to support late talking children. The TALK initiative supports activities to better understand early language development and the learning trajectories and needs of children who are late to talk due to a variety of reasons or risk factors. TALK is holding three, virtual workshops in October to highlight exciting, new discoveries funded through this initiative and to engage the research community in discussing important avenues for conducting research on late talking children. The workshops are organized around the three central themes of TALK:
Longitudinal Data
October 18, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Novel Approaches
October 23, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Translating Research into Practice
October 30, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
More information, including (free) registration, is available at the event page.
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NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship
The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship supports early-career scholars working in critical areas of educational scholarship. Fellows will receive $70,000 for one academic year of research, or $35,000 for each of two contiguous years, working half-time. Fellows attend professional development retreats and receive mentorship from NAEd members and other senior scholars in their field.
Find more information on the fellowship here.
Application deadline: November 7, 2024
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| 2025 ExCEL Scholar Award Competition
The Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) ExCEL Committee is pleased to announce the third annual ExCEL Scholar Award Competition.
They are seeking mid to late-stage postdoctoral researchers with outstanding research achievements who are preparing to transition into an independent position in academia. Selected candidates will be invited to present their research at the ExCEL Symposium at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine on March 14, 2025. During their visit, awardees will also interact with our current trainees and faculty in one-on-one meetings and networking events.
The candidate’s research interest should align with one of the MECCC research programs (Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis; Stem Cell and Cancer Biology; Cancer Therapeutics; and Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control). They specifically encourage women and candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply.
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| Self-Paced English Language Center Course
The English Language Center (ELC) will be offering an online, self-paced Academic Communication for Postdocs course during the fall semester. This course is offered by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the ELC. There is no additional charge for the class.
This self-paced course will offer postdocs opportunities to practice academic communication skills to make the most of their postdoctoral experience at Vanderbilt University. This Brightspace course encourages postdocs to sign up for ELC consultations as they move through the material on their own.
This course is open to all international Vanderbilt postdocs. Dual identity is required for VUMC postdocs.
Please register here to enroll in the Brightspace course and gain access to all modules. For questions, contact Jim Cracraft, Associate Director of the English Language Center.
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| | d3center invites applications to CATIE: the Comprehensive Program for Adaptive Interventions Training in Education
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CATIE is a training program for scholars in the education sciences who are interested in constructing interventions that deliver the right treatment at the right time to support the needs of students or education organizations. The program supports CATIE Fellows as they develop initial research concepts into strong proposals for submission to a federal sponsor such as IES or NIH.
Scholars with a doctoral degree interested in learning more about adaptive interventions in education and the use of SMARTs to build high-quality adaptive interventions are encouraged to apply at catie.space/apply.
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| Immigration Workshops with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
ISSS and OPA will host multiple workshops throughout the day on Thursday, November 7 with Attorney Dan Oldenburg to discuss a variety of immigration topics as it relates to international postdocs and employees. These workshops will be in-person in Alumni Hall Lounge (Alumni 100). All sessions will be recorded to be made available for those unable to attend day of.
More information will be forthcoming closer to the date.
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The VPA is looking for current Vanderbilt Postdocs to serve as mentors for their new Postdoc BuddyProgram!
The goal of this program is to systematically match new, incoming postdocs with current Vandy postdocs based on multiple factors that the buddies deem fruitful for a match to help build a supportive, welcoming community! As a current postdoc, your insight about Nashville and Vanderbilt will serve as a key resource to those who are transitioning into new positions. Remember that one hour of support/advice from a peer is worth more than 100s of pages of Word documents with lists of resources!
This is an excellent way to gain mentorship and academic leadership experience. We encourage our buddies to meet at least once during the new postdoc’s transition to Vanderbilt (virtually or in-person at one of the VPA sponsored events!). Otherwise, the mentor buddy will serve as a point of contact for incoming postdocs for any informal questions, advice, and support! The VPA will check in with mentor buddies each quarter to give volunteers the opportunity to recommit to an additional semester.
To get started, please complete this quick survey located here.
The VPA team will notify you as soon as possible, when you have been matched with an incoming postdoc!
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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.
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| Fall 2024: Peak Performance Series
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Peak Performance is a collaboration between GPAS and the Center for Student Wellbeing. This workshop series is designed to promote expert performance by exploring common issues impacting graduate and professional students and postdocs in a small group setting.
Both Graduate Students and Postdocs are welcome to register. This session will be held in person only. Space is limited, RSVPs are required. Lunch will be provided to registered participants.
Motivation, Mindset, and Goal Setting
Tuesday, October 22 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Center for Student Wellbeing
This workshop is designed to explore the concepts of how motivation and mindset impact our ability to make progress and strategies for goal setting and managing productivity through setbacks.
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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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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, October 15 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, October 22 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, October 29 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, November 5 | 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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| I'm Definitely Doing It Wrong: Navigating Guilt & Pressure in Parenthood
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| Queer Women and Femmes Alumni Career Panel
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| Find Boundaries, Find Peace: Navigating Life at Vanderbilt and Beyond
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| Breast Cancer Awareness Forum
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| The Liberation of Radical Self-Love: A Conversation with Sonya Renee Taylor
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| Skills for LifeA Financial Literacy Workshop
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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: Bilgunay Ilkin Safa, M.D.
Ilkin is a postdoc in the Department of Medicine within the Division of Diabetes & Endocrinology where she is currently conducting research on the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors on adipose tissue and systemic inflammation. She works closely with immune cells, exploring how these therapies can reduce inflammation and contribute to the treatment of metabolic diseases. Prior to her postdoctoral role here at Vanderbilt, Ilkin studied medicine in Turkey where she became deeply fascinated by the science behind medicine. It was actually during medical school that she found her love for research and became captivated by investigating the unknowns, seeking out the mechanisms behind diseases and think about how scientific discoveries could directly impact patient outcomes. Read more about her work and her transition from clinician to researcher in our October postdoc feature here.
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Open Enrollment for Postdoc Scholar, Research (VU) and Research Fellows (VUMC).
Benefits Open Enrollment take place in October for those eligible for Human Resources benefits in both VU and VUMC.
VU Open Enrollment takes place October 21 through November 4. For more information, click here.
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2023-2024 Annual Report
This past year marked the 150 anniversary of Vanderbilt University. This sesquicentennial year was an exciting year for the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. During the 2023–2024 academic year, the OPA worked closely with postdocs, campus partners, faculty, and staff to ensure postdoctoral fellows received support during their postdoctoral training.
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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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| Holy Days CalendarAs a reminder, the Vanderbilt Holy Days Calendar provides a broad list of major holy days throughout the year and includes recommended accommodations for community members observing each holy day. For more information, please read the communication here.
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National Postdoc Association
NPA SmartSkills: Grant Writing
In this session, Sally McIver, Ph.D., will discuss how the art of grant writing is a transferable skill that has both immediate and long-term payoffs. For new postdocs, preparing a fellowship grant is an excellent venue for planning out research and professional development goals. It necessitates establishing goals, milestones, and activities on a postdoctoral training timeline, which might otherwise be ill-defined. Grantsmanship skills include identifying a significant question or unmet need, establishing a compelling rationale, developing a strategy that is most likely to yield informative results, anticipating outcomes and pitfalls, and convincing the reader that you are uniquely equipped to be successful.
During the session, attendees will gain insights into successful grantsmanship strategies in the competitive landscape of biomedical research funding. From developing a strong training plan and identifying significant research questions, to lessons learned during the resubmission process, this session will equip postdoctoral researchers with essential strategies to maximize their current and future impact in the grant application process. Register here for the October 22 virtual course.
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| Join 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 (alicia.cronin@vumc.org or ilkin.safa@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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