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Dear Postdoctoral Community,
With the fall semester quickly approaching, please note the exciting events and opportunities listed in the body of this newsletter. In recognition of your contributions to Vanderbilt, the postdoc community will be celebrating National Postdoc Appreciation Week, September 16-20. I hope to see you at one of the many events during this celebration, including the Annual Postdoc Family Picnic, Coffee and Catered Breakfast, or getting a professional headshot.
As a final note, in collaboration with the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA), the 18th Annual VPA Symposium will take place on Monday, October 14. Registration is now open.
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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National Postdoc Appreciation WeekSeptember 16-20, 2024
National Postdoc Appreciation Week is a time to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of the postdoc community. There will be many activities throughout the week including our annual picnic.
Complimentary Professional Headshots for Postdocs
Monday, September 16 | 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | EBI 1003
Reserve your headshot time here.
Annual Postdoc Family Picnic
Monday, September 16 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Fannie Mae Dees Park
RSVP Required!
Complimentary Professional Headshots for Postdocs
Tuesday, September 17 | 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | EBI 1003
Reserve your headshot time here.
Free Cookies with the BRET Office
Tuesday, September 17 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Light Hall, North Lobby
Postdoc Coffee & Catered Breakfast
Wednesday, September 19 | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | 100 Alumni Lounge
RSVP Here!
OPA at the Farmer's Market
Thursday, September 19 | 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Medical Center Plaza
VPA 'SpeakEasy' Talk Series
Thursday, September 19 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | 100 Alumni Lounge
RSVP Here!
Group Hike at Edwin Warner Park
Friday, September 20 | 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Edwin Warner Park
Meeting Point: Warner Park Nature Center
More events are being planned! Keep an eye on our September newsletter for more ways to get involved and added events! For up to date information on events, please visit our website.
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Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars Fellowship
Applications due August 14, 2024
Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.
Vanderbilt (VU+VUMC, collaboratively) may nominate one candidate for the 2025 Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars Fellowship Award. This program supports individual postdoctoral scientists of exceptional creativity who have an MD or PhD degree and who have completed by July 1, 2025 a minimum of three years of a post-doctoral fellowship in the field of neurosciences at a medical school, research institute, or academic institution. Scholars will be chosen based on the success in their prior post-doctoral work and the importance and creativity of their proposed future research.
These awards are to enable a postdoctoral researcher to advance to become a full-time faculty member at the Assistant Professor level or higher and to promote the development of a laboratory program that will lead to independent funding. The institution nominating each scholar will be awarded $200,000 annually for two years to cover their salary, lab costs, and related expenses. Under certain circumstances, the awardee may transfer funding to support their beginning faculty position. Indirect cost of up to 15% of direct costs, may be included in the $200,000. All applicants are required to provide 75% effort.
Eligibility:
- Research focused in the field of Neuroscience
- Postdocs must have completed a minimum of 3 years and no more than 6 years of a post-doctoral fellowship by July 1, 2025
- Postdocs must have an MD and/or PhD
- Commitment of a minimum of 75% effort
Internal Application Process:
Anyone interested in being considered as Vanderbilt’s nominee must submit the following (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on August 14, 2024:
- Brief research plan including summary budget; 2 pages max, references may be included on a separate page a. Plan should describe importance of the project, methods, and likely presentation results.
- 1/2 page description of your applicant background and the special characteristics that you have for implementing the proposed project and career plan.
- Statement of support from department chair/center director
- NIH Biosketch or abbreviated CV (5 page max)
Submissions should reference "Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars" in the subject line of the email. Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.
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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.
You can register to attend the symposium here. You can submit your interest to present a poster presentation or give a lightning round talk when you register.
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Federal STEM Policy & Advocacy: An Inside the Beltway LookOctober 10-11, 2024 | Washington, D.C.
Hosted by the Vanderbilt University Office of Federal Relations in partnership with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Office of Federal Relations, the BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program, The Vanderbilt GPS at the Career Center, Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute, The Vanderbilt Graduate School, and the Vanderbilt University Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Application Deadline: Midnight on Monday, September 2, 2024
This two-day event will provide Vanderbilt graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) an opportunity to learn how federal STEM policy is made and the role of advocacy by various stakeholders in achieving policy goals. Participants will hear from officials – including some VU alumni – who work in the Executive and Legislative branches of government as well as scientific societies, associations and coalitions who are actively engaged in influencing and promoting federal investments in science and engineering.
For STEM graduate students and postdocs thinking about careers in science policy or research advocacy, this behind-the-scenes look will provide insight to potential career opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements:
1. Applicants must be a current Vanderbilt University graduate student or postdoctoral fellow in a STEM field (Science/quantitative Social Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
- Students enrolled in an MS/MA degree program must have completed one full year of graduate work at VU by the time of application.
- PhD students who entered graduate school through the IGP, QCB, CPB, MSTP, or IMSD must have passed their qualifying exams before the application deadline.
2. Applicants must hold U.S. citizenship or dual citizenship between the US and another country.
3. Applicants must be able to attend the full workshop in Washington, DC, on October 10-11, 2024; this will require departure from Nashville on October 9.
Attendees will be responsible for their ground transportation/parking expenses in Nashville and Washington DC, as well as meals not included in the program or the hotel stay (this may be up to 4+ meals).
Washington DC has an excellent rail system, the Metro, which connects to the airport and has stops near the event hotel.
More information including past agendas can be found here.
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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 Learning 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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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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| Click HERE to Apply for Write On!
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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, August 13 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, August 20 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, August 27 | 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.
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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: Eric Gurevitch, Ph.D.
Eric Gurevitch is a postdoc in the Collaborative Humanities Postdoctoral Program (CHPP) within the Asian Studies Department and is affiliated with the Program in Climate and Environmental Studies. In his postdoctoral role, Eric is currently working on shaping his dissertation from his PhD studies into a book manuscript that explores explores the literate and numerate practices of artisans and other people from caste-oppressed communities in medieval and early modern South Asia. Read more about his work and his path that led him to this research in our August 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: Perfecting Presentation Skills
In this session, Tracy Costello, Ph.D., will discuss how creating an impactful presentation is an essential skill! In this class, participants will be provided with the tools and techniques needed to create presentations that will get the attention of their audience, covering topics such as keeping it simple, having a structure, practicing, and delivery. Participants will learn how to build a streamlined, organized outline for the presentation and receive tips to ensure slides are not overcrowded, tips to improve graphic appeal, and more. Participants will be able to identify components of compelling and impactful presentations that will help them communicate their research effectively. Register here for the August 27 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 (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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