PostDocs or PostDoctoral Fellows are Young Scientists with a PhD in Sciences, mainly Biological but also in other Scientific Disciplines, besides Medicine, Phy, Chem, Maths & Bio-Engg etc. Getting a PhD leads to further into a semi employee or trainee status called PostDocs, the very first PostDoc was ever created during 1970s, to move into a full term Faculty PostDoc was not necessary then but it is a Necessity now!, too many issues exist for PostDocs, Only Unionization can resolve it.
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December 31, 2007
WRECKED "EuroDoc"? Is it in Order or out of Order?.
Though, the center of this eurodoc is located in Sweden!, postdocs from several european countries participate as members and board members in this organization. Eurodoc is basically a initiative emerged after noticing the preceding activities of their US counter part, the fledgling NPA (National Postdoc Association).
They both claim too highly of their organizations but the truth is otherwise (what have they done so far?). Their cliams are too high with regard to their accomplishments so far, none of the board members who started this NPA or Eurodoc is no more active, those newbie's who are the board members now and holding positions at present do not seem to have any idea about how they can be a voice to postdocs and bring changes to the existing age old policies that has too many holes and flaws, besides the current postdoc policies are less atractive to the postdocs.
In brief, postdocs all over the nation must ask for their achievements so far, from the year of establishment to now, it is almost 5-6 years, what did they do for Postdocs?. Besides, meetings, stage talks, wine and dinings, having some grants, what exactly did NPA and Eurodoc had accomplished for postdocs, what kind of benefit package they have secured for postdocs (Can they in anyway compare to the achievements of UCONN Health Center Postdocs Union Achievements?, read in this blog about UCHC Union activities, also read: A Union Contract Aimed at Preserving the Postdoc Experience Beryl Lieff BenderlyUnited States2 April 2004 ]
The following e-mail message from one of the past board member and a postdoc well wisher tell you the stories of what is going inside Eurodoc?. Is is it in order of functioning?. OR?.
Read further:
Dear Eurodoc members, old members and friends of Eurodoc,
After a long time being involved in Eurodoc I finally have to say goodbyeto Eurodoc. Actually, I have already been living in some (Far/South) EastAsian countries for year and I haven't been following Eurodoc discussionsfor one and a half years (if not more).However, since my email account at my former employer's will be terminatedon December 31st 2007 and since I haven't been able to follow Eurodocdiscussions and policies I think it is appropriate to say goodbye.
Importantly however, before I say goodbye to the organization that I havebeen actively involved in between 2000 and 2002 and later on behind thescreens I would like some attention for the efforts of the first board ofEurodoc that have never been published on Eurodoc's website, notwithstanding many promises from several of the succeeding Eurodoc boards.This first board had been elected at Eurodoc's first annual meeting inUppsala, Sweden, March 2001, and some of the members (Enrico Piazza,myself) and some others (Claire Poinsot, Sofia Murhem, James Grooves,Susanna Cebrian, Peter Kerey) had been involved in the making since 2000.
The Eurodoc board consisted of myself (president until Socratessubmission), Toni Gabaldon (vice-P, local organizer), Nils Morner(secretary until summer), Daniel Mueller-Etienne (secretary since summer),Enrico Piazza (member), Alex Lewis (member, became member/active after theSocrates submission).It was this board, elected in Uppsala, 2001, and retiring in Girona, 2002,that was responsible for the charter that you are modifying regularly. Itwas also this board that was responsible for for the first SOCRATES grantproposal which enabled us to organize the second Eurodoc meeting in Gironaand that provided the funds for the official registration. This board,starting from scratch, had to initiate and establish connections with theSocrates' granting institution (connections already having establishedsince 2000, thus before the first Eurodoc conference took place), as wellas had to publish papers to convince the SOCRATES refereeing committeethat we were active, well-determined and successful in getting attentionand worth their money.Therefore we published prior to the Socrates review in MCFA News, ScienceNext Wave, and the latter's editors also got the chief editor of Scienceconvinced to write some words about us in Science itself.Similarly, we also published in Nature to raise attention for the Gironameeting in 2002.
We also put effort in having the SOCRATES proposal submitted in time (30September 2001) in order to know the outcome (December 2001) long beforethe meeting took place in order to secure the financially less fortunateparticipants of a smooth ticket refund.We also knew from previous "Europeanizing-scientist-efforts" that thoseinitiatives fell into passivity and desinterest because the members werenot actively involved in getting results for themselves. Therefore wecontacted Science (in 2000, thus also before Uppsala) to start the ScienceNext Wave Eurodoc Exchange series that enabled every member to raiseattention for its own national cause by publishing their most importantissues together with a separate publication with suggestions of how thoseissues could be solved.Summarizing the officially retraceble records of the Eurodoc board of2001-2002 and help of indiviual members after their term are below:
1) the first SOCRATES grant that included funds for both
- the meeting in Girona
the official registration2) the Eurodoc charter3) MCFA News vol3(1) http://www.mariecurie.org/newsletter/news2001/summer/eurodocs.pdf4) Science Next Wave: the Eurodoc Exchange series5) Science, the Editorial on October 12th, written by its editor-in-chief Don Kennedy http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/294/5541/265.pdf6) Nature 2002 vol 415:259,
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v415/n6869/pdf/415259b.pdf7) Nature 2002 vol 418:178) Nature 2004 vol 427:3789) EMBO Reports 2006 vol 7:961It is true that we are not the founding board because the officialregistration took place after our term. Therefore I am not interested insemantic (or any other discussions either) about who's the founding boardor not.However, I hope you will do some justice to Eurodoc's first board and haveit listed at the Eurodoc website under the “Eurodoc-board history” sectionas well as have our publications published under the corresponding sectionof the website (“eurodoc in the press”). It would be my new years wish formy old board members.Best wishes for 2008 and good bye,Raoul Tan, Eurodoc president 2001-2002PS as stated I'm not interested in discussions, I don't have the time andI had these with several former board members already. However, you canread my private email address in the next message.
November 29, 2007
Here is a JOB Oppurtunity for someone in this field: Juicy Salary?
the E-mail invitation:
Your professional profile, which candidateseeker.com has on file, indicates you may have experience or know someone with experience relevant to the following position. I was hoping you might be interested or be willing to forward this email to an associate who could benefit from this opportunity.Seeking expertise in imaging modalities such at PET, MRI, CT, etc. to support oncology and clinical testing in drug research and development environment. Shall oversee and conduct hands-on analysis of imaging data, including interpretation and review of interpretation as well as develop related trial protocols and training.Candidate shall also support the strategic design, execution, and interpretation of oncology clinical development studies and participate in the development, negotiation and management of agreements with CROs, academic centers, and other vendors while establishing service level expectation.
Major pharmaceutical company with stock, pension, 401(k), fully paid family medical coverage, tuition reimbursement, travel expenses, and outstanding career opportunities! Contact Dr. Gary Shinder, M.D. at: 609-584-9000 ext 273 Or apply online at: http://dmc9.com/gls/app.asp Or email to:1000001401_10007224@candseek4.com
Education Requirements: Bachelor DegreeMinimum Experience Requirements: 0-2 yearsJob Country Location: USASalary Range: $190,000 to $220,000If you are interested in this position or if you know anyone that might be interested,
please forward this to them or contact:
Contact Name: Gary Shinder, M.D.
Email to: 1000001401_10007224@candseek4.com
Apply Online at: http://dmc9.com/gls/app.asp
Call: 609.584.9000x273
Company Name: Diedre Moire Corporation, Inc.
Contact address (may not be location of job): USA
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NEVER provides your resume, record or profile, NOR access to your resume, record or profile, NOR your email address to any customer, advertiser, website, or other entity outside of the candidateseeker.com organization. Employers submit their job notice copy and match criteria to candidateseeker.com and only the servers at candidateseeker.com decide whether to send you a job opportunity notification. Only you the recipient, based on your interest and consequential response, can provide information to potential employers.To permanently discontinue receiving employment opportunity notices from any and all help wanted advertisers using the Candidate Seeker system, click your "Reply" button and type the word "remove" without spaces between the letters into the SUBJECT field then click the "Send" button. Your email address will be permanently filtered from ALL future job opportunity notifications sent via the Candidate Seeker system.To temporarily filter employment opportunity notices sent via the Candidate Seeker system, type the acronym "JOBOP" into your subject filter.
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PostDoc Project management- Teleconference at Weill Cornell Medical college?
You will be able to submit your questions live by pressing the "1" key followed by the "4" key on your telephone. Or, if you prefer, just sit in and follow along. No registration is required for calling in; however, registered users of the Web site may submit their questions in advance by clicking the link below. Additionally, registered users can also download slides 1 week before the teleconference. Click below to submit a question or to register:
http://www.mededmentoring.org/telecon1/default.asp If you have a topic you would like discussed on a future First Tuesday, please submit it to MedEdMentoring.org or by clicking the link below: http://www.mededmentoring.org/contactus.asp Please help spread the word by telling your colleagues about this upcoming event.
November 13, 2007
$70,000 Annual PostDoc at PASTEUR, Fr. Must be US Citizens! Fabulous Opportunity
Hello PostDocs in USA, I recieved this e-mail from Science (AAAS), most probably other PostDoc/Student members of AAAS might have received this e-mail too. Neverthless, for the beneffit of those who are not members and not aware of this ad, and for those who haven't seen this opportunity, here it is.
It is just a fabulous opportunity, because the fellowship is heavily funded for three years, and it is going to be in France's top most institute "the pasteur", so think about it, no ....apply and make use of this great choice.
Classified:
Dear ScienceCareers Readers:
If you know U.S. citizens who might be interested in this program
or colleagues who might help promote it among Ph.D. candidates,
please assist us in getting the word out by forwarding this message
widely. We rely heavily on word-of-mouth promotion for this program.
Yours,
Pasteur Foundation
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for U.S. citizens to live in Paris
and carry out a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institut Pasteur.
Candidates may apply to any one of our 140+ labs. Come to France for
a career experience that you will never forget!
Founded in 1887 by Louis Pasteur and located in the heart of Paris, the Institut Pasteur is a world-renowned private research organization. The Pasteur Foundation of New York is seeking outstanding Postdoctoral Fellowship Applicants. Candidates may apply to any laboratory within 10 departments: Cell Biology and Infection; Developmental Biology; Genomes and Genetics; Immunology; Infection and Epidemiology; Microbiology; Neuroscience; Parasitology and Mycology; Structural Biology and Chemistry; and Virology. See website for details.
Annual package is $70,000 for three years. There are multiple calls for applicants each year. See website for details and upcoming deadlines.
Please note: U.S. citizenship required. This is intended to be a first or second fellowship; candidates should be in the process of completing a Ph.D. or have received it recently. Please see website for precise eligibility requirements.
Science Careers sends out periodic messages to help keep you informed about career-related features and resources. If you are a job seeker you can update your profile on Science Careers. If you are an advertiser and wish to update your contact information, please e-mail advertise@sciencecareers.org.
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American Association for the Advancement of Science
1200 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005
U.S.A.
September 27, 2007
THE POSTDOC CONTRACT BETWEEN UNION & UCONN HEALTH CENTER
Ok, go ahead and compare your institute's policies, benefits and greatness with the UCONN Health Center, do your home work to find who is the best?, hope this helps lot of postdocs sitting on the fence to not know which side to jump to get some clear ideas?.
"An ambiqous mind is no better than a mind that is ceased to function"
quote by Dr.Muni, 09-26-2007
THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER
UNIVERSITY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2010
Article 1
RECOGNITION
1.1 The State of Connecticut through the Board of
Trustees for the University of Connecticut Health Center,
Farmington, (hereinafter known as the Employer) recognizes
the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, (hereinafter
known as the Union) as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent
for the purposes of establishing salaries, hours and other
conditions of employment for the professional employees on
the regular payroll in the bargaining unit which excludes per
diem employees, University Hospital Resident Physicians and
Dentists, Graduate Assistants, Faculty, and
Managerial/Confidential Exclusions as defined in C.G.S. 5-270.
State Collective Bargaining Statute, Section 5-270 to exclude
additional positions which are or which may become managerial
during the life of this contract. Such exclusions shall be made
in accordance with the process delineated in the Memorandum
of Agreement regarding management exclusions.
to the Union every six months a list of all individuals and their
titles who are managerial or confidential exclusions.
benefit is premised on an employee’s having an assignment
authorization of fifty (50) percent or more (such as but not
necessarily limited to personal leave, tuition waiver, payment
for jury duty, disability insurance):
percentage of time specified in the assignment authorization.
for sixty (60) days. Therefore, an employee whose assignment
authorization is increased from below fifty (50) percent to fifty
(50) percent or more shall not be eligible for the benefit until the
assignment authorization has been in effect for sixty (60) days;
an employee whose assignment authorization is decreased, shall
not have such benefits reduced or eliminated until the reduction
has been in effect for sixty (60) days. In the case of benefits
which coincide with the calendar month, the change shall take
place on the first of the month which follows a period of 60
days or a major portion thereof.
The above does not apply to vacation, sick leave
and seniority. Sick leave and vacation shall continue to be
prorated as specified in the Agreement. Seniority shall continue
to be prorated based on assignment authorization percentage.
An employee’s previously accrued leave shall
not be increased or decreased as a result of a change in
assignment authorization; however, eligibility for leave and/or
the rate of accrual shall be modified as provided in Section 1.4.
With respect to personal leave:
accrued upon a decrease of assignment authorization to below
fifty (50) percent.
increased to fifty (50) percent or more shall receive pro rata
personal leave.
CHECK-OFF
2.1
a. Employees who join the Union shall pay dues
and initiation fees (if applicable) in accordance with the terms
of this Article.
b. Employees who do not join the Union shall pay
agency fees in accordance with the terms of this Article.
c. Compliance with Article 2.1a and 2.1b is a
condition of employment.
d. The Health Center may deduct contributions in
the amount specified from the gross paycheck of each person in
the unit who authorizes in writing payments to fund-raising
drives sponsored by the Health Center.
2.2 The Employer shall deduct from the biweekly
wages Union dues and initiation fee, or agency fees, as
established by the Union. Such deductions will begin no later
than the first pay period following the completion of the
employee's first thirty (30) days of employment. The initiation
fee shall be paid in five (5) consecutive biweekly installments.
the Union, or an employee whose membership is terminated for
non-payment of dues; or who resigns from membership shall be
required to pay an agency service fee under Section 2.4.
a. Employees who do not join or who terminate
their membership in the Union shall be required to pay agency
fees equivalent to and on the same basis as the applicable union
dues and initiation fees.
equivalent to and on the same basis as dues and initiation fees
from employees who do not join the Union. The Union shall
publish its procedures for reimbursing to non-members that part
of the agency fee deducted for purposes not related to collective
bargaining, contract administration and grievance adjustment.
to full-time, or from full-time to part-time, the amount of
Union dues or agency service fee shall change accordingly.
deducted under this Article shall be remitted to the Union as
soon as practicable after the payroll period in which the list of
employees for whom any such deduction is made. Each month
the Employer shall give to the Union a list of employees who
have paid dues or fees for that month.
fee shall be made from workers’ compensation or for any
payroll period in which earnings received are insufficient to
cover the amount of deduction, nor shall deduction be made
from subsequent payrolls to cover the period in question.
2.8 The Employer shall continue its practice of
payroll deductions as authorized by employees for purposes
other than payment of union dues or agency services fees,
provided any such payroll deduction has been approved by the
Employer in advance.
month with the names of newly hired employees.
a. Reports and computer runs developed
specifically for the Union will be furnished at the going rate.
employee organization.
amount specified from the gross paycheck of each person in the
unit who authorizes contributions to the Union's Political Action
Fund. The Union will hold the Health Center harmless and
indemnify it from any claims, actions or proceedings resulting
from this deduction.
or otherwise, arising out of the provisions of this Article, and
the Union hereby agrees that it will indemnify and hold the
Employer harmless from any claims, actions or proceedings
hereunder. Once the funds are remitted to the Union, their
disposition thereafter shall be the sole and exclusive obligation
and responsibility of the Union.
NONDISCRIMINATION
3.1 The provisions of this Agreement shall be
applied equally to all employees in the bargaining unit without
discrimination as to age, sex, marital status, race, color,
religious creed, national origin, sexual orientation, physical
handicap unrelated to job performance, or membership or
participation in any employee organization, or any other
characteristic protected by law.
September 19, 2007
POSTDOCS too have FUN!- Here at OKINAWA Computational Neuroscience 2007
For the first time, there is a video of postdocs having some good break and some fun, most probably their BOSS also enjoying the song and dance I believe!.......Very nice music choice postdocs!
September 15, 2007
Why I like Union?:-
Before I get to the teachers' union news, you should know: I grew up in a union family and I'm unabashedly pro-union. Here's why: Mom and Dad were each members of at least three unions: the national, state, and local teachers' unions. They walked the picket lines and Dad even appeared in the newspaper chanting at a school board meeting. During the tenures of California governors George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson, we experienced some lean, if not uncomfortable, times in our household. Mom and Dad argued frequently about money, and I learned the importance of having a strong union and group of negotiators to maintain our household and our annual modest camping trips around California and neighboring states.
The Under Represented Woman in Academina: Postdocs and Woman issues!
Special Report
NaturejobsPublished online: 4 July 2007; doi:10.1038/nj7149-098a
Beyond the glass ceiling
Women and under-represented minorities are earning historically high numbers of science doctorates in the United States. So why aren't they making it to the professorial ranks? Kendall Powell investigates.
Kendall Powell
If academia is to offer varied role models and perspectives for a diverse population of students, it must become more welcoming to women and ethnic minorities, leaders of diversity efforts say. Industry has already learned the value of diversity. In a 2003 amicus brief in support of the University of Michigan's affirmative-action admissions policies, 65 Fortune 500 firms argued that efforts to increase diversity improve innovation, productivity and global competition.Women and minorities suffer from the effects of isolation once they enter the upper ranks of academia. Both groups perceive academia as an unfriendly environment, and both suffer from an implicit bias against them in the hiring process.For women, the clash of their biological clock with the tenure clock, along with the effort of balancing work and family duties, is a huge barrier to advancing up the academic ladder. For minorities, financial and geographical constraints make academia a less attractive choice than industry. Attempts to remove barriers and to mend holes in the pipeline have met with mixed success.
Biological News-EVO -Karma, a POSTDOC BLOGGER!
Being a postdoc can be bloody hard. Not knwoing what will be next andwhether there will even be a next job is probably the most depressingthing. Funding is never easily obtained even though postdocs are thebackbone of research these days. It seems that the number of PhDscontinues to increase, whereas the faculty positions for us to go intohave not. link
I think that a revolution in the way academia is run is desperatly needed.First, I would suggest that some security is provided to postdocs, bythat I mean a salary provided by the government so that postdocs cancontinue working until they are awarded a grant or fellowship. Thiswould save us from claiming unemployment and at the same time give usthe financial support we need to continue our work.
Evo-Karma
All about the good, the bad and the ugly things in life but mainly stuff about evolution, diversity of life, life forms and morphogenesis, phylogenies, trees and insects. Lots of biological news and comments. Cool discoveries of new species etc...
Blogger NOMoreMalletrivia Writes about Postdocs Plight?
GOOD LUCK.
Postdocs are highly-trained professionals ...
Highly trained at avoiding the real world, that is, at least according to a report on a series of reports about postdocs that I just read. As I've said before, I just don't get why people would be content to spend 5+ extra years in school beyond their undergrad degree to get a PhD, start a postdoc appointment at about $38K/year [on average], stay a postdoc for 5 years [on average] and then have a 15% chance of getting a tenure-track faculty position. And, despite these dismal stats, over a third of postdocs are apparently "pretty set" on their plan of working in a research university.Are all these people wearing rose-tinted, high-optimism-inducing, reality-distorting glasses ? It seems like they're victims of some form of brainwashing that induced the unshakeable belief that the only pleasant work environment is in academia, or that you can only do good science in academia, or that only second-rate people end up in industry, or a bunch of other similarly nonensical ideas.Sure seems like a lot of these postdocs are scientists capable of considering alternative hypotheses, except when it comes to important things, like their own lives ...
http://alexmallet.blogspot.com/2005/05/postdocs-are-highly-trained.html
May 09, 2007
POSTDOCS Can Make lots of Difference in Society too!! Are you PostDocs listening?
By Dave Jones, February 2, 2007
How about taking on a community service project?
Soon Molleman and Arlet, who are married to each other, will be off on their second journey to western Uganda since becoming postdocs at UC Davis in May 2005. They do their research in Kibale National Park.
PostDoc News & This Blog "PostDoc World"?
But, today I was browsing the web for postdoc events, something caught my eyes. The salary issue in the UCLA system. It seems the UC system passed a resolution to follow upon the NIH Scales for PostDocs, good news but is in't too slow a change?. We did this four years ago at the UCONN Health Center and three years since the postdocs got their increased salary. Anyways, it is still a good news for those UCLA postdocs, not sure what the postdocs in other university and campuses are doing about their salary. Better get these basic needs straightened up during this momentum, or else you will be lagging behind others and slogging your life away for pennies.
Here is the UCLA news:
UC-wide Postdoc Salary Minimums to Increase (effective Oct 1st, 2007).
Submitted by ajzz on April 27, 2007 - 5:17pm.
Advocacy salary
Dear Colleagues,
The UC system has finally passed a resolution to base its postdoctoral salary minimums on the NIH rate. This much awaited change will be phased in over the next two years. Please see the attached message from the Vice Chancellor for details.
Cheers!
Ajay Gopal
President, SoPS____________________________________________________________________
UCLA Graduate Division------------------------------------Office of the Vice Chancellor &
Dean
Dear Department Chairs and Principal Investigators:
I am writing to inform you of the University's recent decision to augment the minimum salary scales for Postdoctoral Scholars to matchthe minimum levels supported by NIH. The annual salary ratescurrently range from $32,304 to $78,372. They will be increased according to the following schedule:
October 1, 2007: increase to $33,000
October 1, 2008: increase to $35,500
October 1, 2009: increase to $37,000 or
the annual level of the NIHNRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship and Training Grants,
whichever ishigher.
At UCLA, while many of the Postdoctoral Scholars are already beyond these levels, we still have a substantial portion for whom this will represent an enhanced level of support. Your cooperation inimplementing these changes will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Claudia Mitchell-Kernan
Vice Chancellor Graduate Studies
Dean Graduate Division
Good Job folks!.
March 01, 2007
to transform the brain-drain of scientists into 'brain circulation'
So, the funding slowed the research progress in Europe, finaly some serious heads with some brains intact yet are making better policies to recreate european science to be valued?. Will it get any better, time will answer. While the Europe and US governments are not science friendly, funding for science in Japan and Australia is much better and so their science too!. Other countries like China, Singapore and Taiwan seems to be focusing on better funding and improving the science, as far as science funding of US concerned, Japan's funding abilities and interests in science and technology is better than USA.
Here is a very insightful article on European Science funding aimed to bring back the scientists to european countries?
Europe's Brain Gain
Gunjan Sinha
United States, 2 March 2007
A glimpse at the numbers and one can understand why Europe's scientists migrate toward richer pastures. European countries spend far less than the United States and some Asian countries on research and development—widening the innovation gap. Two years ago, the EU's statistical office Eurostat showed that government and industry invested only 1.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on research and development in 2004—significantly less than Japan at 3.18 percent and the United States at 2.66 percent.
The bad news, however, has instigated change. Late last year, legislators firmed their commitment to the Lisbon strategy of 2000, which set a goal to transform the EU into a competitive knowledge-based economy. The European Council approved the 7th Framework Programme (FP7)—the EU's chief instrument for funding science and technology research from 2007 through 2013.
February 21, 2007
Note the Change in URL
thanks,
Muni
February 17, 2007
Life of a Lab Rat- an Australian Blogger writes about PostDocs!
Life of a Lab Rat
by Black Knight
It is quite easy in this business to get disillusioned when you look around and see that, for example, the NIH only funds about 10% of RO1 grants and there is no career structure to speak of for postdocs. You begin to wonder if you are any good at all, especially when you reach a certain age and find that you are really enjoying the bench work but seem to have no luck at finding a real job.
February 15, 2007
Talk about Benefits to Postdocs/ in Academia?
Combat Global Warming- 3 Billion & 25 Million Prize?.
Posted by Brendan Maher
Virgin's millions are up for grabs. What's a biologist to do?
Tycoon Richard Branson offered another $25 million to combat global warming (he pledged $3 billion in September). This time he's taking a page from X-prize folks, offering the money as a prize for the best design of a plan for removing "significant volumes of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases. Although the official rules are a bit hazy on what a "significant amount" means (they are far less hazy on publicity rights and several other items), reports are generalizing the target to a billion tons or more yearly. Enrollment is open for three years, after which entries will be judged by none other than Al Gore. It will be interesting to see what comes of this. And I for one would like to see some imaginative biologists take this. So far, engineered algal blooms and genetically modified trees designed to sequester carbon in their roots are interesting, but I dont think they're going to tip the scales at a billion tons a year. What's your idea?
Good cause and excellent initiative, thanks to both Branson and our Ex VP Al Gore.
Interesting PostDoc Article- in "The Scientist"
January 25, 2007
PostDocs & Mentoring:- Association of American Medical Colleges
Jan25, 2007
Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors
The Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors is intended to initiate discussions at the local and national levels about the postdoctoral appointee-mentor relationship and the commitments necessary for a high quality postdoctoral training experience. The Compact was drafted by the AAMC Group on Graduate Research, Education, and Training (GREAT) and its Postdoctorate Committee, and it is modeled on the AAMC Compact Between Resident Physicians and Their Teachers.
Jan 25, 2007,
Paul Smaglik's article in www.nature.com
A better deal for postdocs and their mentors?
The Association of American Medical Colleges last month approved a document that, if it becomes more widely adopted, could revolutionize postdoctoral training. The association's Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors (http://www.aamc.org/postdoccompact) is powerful because it gives both parties clear responsibilities and sets clear expectations for each side. It tells postdocs to take primary responsibility for their career development. It states that their research project should be developed with their mentor, and that this should have clearly defined goals and timelines, all of which, ideally, should be agreed at the time the postdoc appointment is made. It asks postdocs to follow good research practices, to adhere to ethical standards and to treat their colleagues with respect. It also challenges them to assume more responsibility as their project progresses and puts the onus on them to request formal performance reviews. And, finally, it charges them to seek professional development activities outside the lab, both in terms of scientific and career development.
PhDs & Changing trends in Job Market?
Demand for PhDs is uncertain in a changing market.
Paul Smaglik
"For recent graduates who are struggling to beat hundreds of other applicants to claim a full-time post, the answer is fairly obvious. But for those in industry who are trawling this sea of talent, the issue is less clear cut. Many recruiters say that they are unable to find the skills they require in the traditional marketplace. Depending on your level of cynicism, this is either an honest assessment or an apologia for outsourcing farther afield".
January 18, 2007
An Old Rant but still relevant?
This work force is highly skilled and consists of some of the best and brightest minds in the country. They exist in the amorphous state between finishing their PhD. and finding a permanent academic position. This group needs to be treated better. While nature is lauding the increase in pay, it is still at the bottom scale of what a manager at a Wal Mart or McDonalds would make. And McDonald's mangers get benefits. Clearly there is going to be erosion if this is not taken care of.
Postdocs number about 50,000 and they are the engine that drives much of the research in leading journals. So why is pay so low? Because there are too many of them. The dirty little secret of science is that we train far too many PhDs than we need in academia or industry. When supply is high, salaries are low. So why are so many students pursuing PhDs? Because research labs need graduate students to do their work. In my opinion, it would be better for all if we had more technicians and fewer graduate students. Of course that would cost more money, these employees would want to have a life outside of their research, benefits, etc.
THIS BLOG IS AN EFFORT TO EDUCATE, UNITE AND VOICE FOR THE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS/POSTDOCS IN USA. ALL THE POSTDOCS AND POSTDOC WELLWISHERS ARE WELLCOME TO CONTRIBUTE AND POST YOUR MESSAE HERE. GOOD LUCK.
Washington Watch: PostDoc World
January 2007
Natalie Dawson
Postdoctoral researchers are an essential part of the scientific community, yet their status in the academic community often fails to reflect their significant role in advancing the nation’s scientific research programs. Postdoctoral scholars often spend long periods of time in academic appointments that give them little opportunity for career development, training, and research independence, they assert. Several recent reports corroborating their claims, the federal government’s pledge to secure US scientific competitiveness, and the formation of groups like the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) have alerted funding agencies to the postdoc issue and spurred efforts in some circles to revitalize the postdoctoral research experience. THIS IS AN EFFORT TO EDUCATE, UNITE AND VOICE FOR THE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS/POSTDOCS IN USA. ALL TEH POSTDOCS AND POSTDOC WELLWISHERS ARE WELLCOME TO CONTRIBUTE AND POST YOUR MESSAE HERE. GOOD LUCK, GOD BLESS POSTDOCS
Featured Post
Univerisity of Washington PostDocs Forming Union- Latest University PostDocs to Unionize!
University of Washington, yet another top notch higher education/research institute known for an impressive history and record setting, rig...
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Immmmm...It has been three months since I updated or posted "postdoc" news. Instead of delving into the reason why? ofcourse hecti...
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To my knowledge, there is no PostDoc culture or PostDoc positions in Indian Universities, if at all, it might be rare in few places. So, I w...
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I changed the postdoc world publishing title (URL) to: http://postdocunion.blogspot.com thanks, Muni
UC System & the Number of PostDocs?
Postdocs in Numbers
UC Berkeley | 1150 |
UC Davis | 800 |
UC Irvine | 344 |
UC Los Angeles | 1110 |
UC Merced | 20 |
UC Riverside | 200 |
UC Santa Barbara | 300 |
UC Santa Cruz | 148 |
UC San Diego | 907 |
UC San Francisco | 1100 |
Total | 6059 |
The above numbers are approximate and were correct to within 10 in
March 2008.
NeuroMonitoring- My Professional Blog
Academic Productivity, a Blog about Academia???
Though, a comparision between an academician and a autoworker is not the right choice to do a salary or work related benefits, it certainly brings an issue of importance. What exactly academic people get as a benefits is a daunting task?. Read further about the disparity of salary for academicians and the following thoughtful comments by readers of the blog.
From Mark J. Perry’s blog, I just learned that the average UAW worker with a high school degree earns 57.6% more compensation than the average university professor with a Ph.D. Considering that there are plenty of academic positions that do not enjoy the average salary mentioned in the blog post, this is something to worry about. Average Postdoc salaries according to the NSF are nowhere closer to this figure, and you have to add the uncertainty of these positions (they are always short-term) and mobility demands (expect to move to a different university sooner or later). And of course, academic work longer hours and suffer a lot more psychological stress than car factory workers.
What PostDocs Favor?
Several of the world's top biomedical research institutes--including a couple run by biopharma giants--have made this year's list of the best places for postdocs to work. The annual ranking by The Scientist for the U.S. includes the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (4); U.T.'s M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (5); Genentech (6); the Fox Chase Cancer Center (7) and the Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (15). Among the top international institutions ranked, the University of Cambridge in the UK jumped from 9th to first place, largely because of their focus on professional training.
The survey found that institutions which consistently rank at the top of the heap are noted for their ability to listen to postdocs' concerns "about uncertain career opportunities, work/life balance, and the need for first-rate professional development."
Some Science this Week?
LATEST HIGHLIGHT Population genetics: Rich pastures for cattle genomics Nature Reviews Genetics 1 April 2008 Two recent papers show how genomics approaches that are applied widely in humans can be put to use in an important livestock species. This Research Highlight discusses these advances a new method for identifying large numbers of SNPs in cattle, and the use of SNP-based mapping to study inherited disorders in this species. |
Interesting Little Piece on Diversity &
From Nature.com, Postdoc Journal
I'm an alien
Jon Yearsley is a senior postdoc in evolutionary genetics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
Finding refuge in my science.
"Naturalisations en masse, STOP," is one of the more startling political posters that I pass as I cycle into work. The poster shows that the rights of foreigners are once more up for debate. This reminds me that I, as a Brit, am an alien in this European society.
When it comes to my research, the environment is as familiar as a decent pint of English ale and BBC Radio 4. The culture of science is truly international, and interesting research is exciting in any language. At the last count, my department was home to 18 nationalities, making it almost as diverse as the flowers in a Swiss alpine meadow. And rather than this turning into a Tower of Babel, science is done, null hypotheses are refuted, papers are published and impact factors are recorded.
My research gives a welcome dose of the familiar in what can sometimes be an unfamiliar culture. I wasn't brought up with alpine cows, wrapping my lips around french vowels or trying the odd yodel. The unfamiliar is fun, but I'm glad that my habitual pursuit, science, is an important one. Arguably, scientific method crosses national boundaries. I like to think that even a bug-eyed alien postdoc from a distant planet would find some common currency with earthling academics.
PostDoc Union & PostDoc Associations
UNIONS-in Academy & in Universities!
PostDocs Union: New Minimum Ssalary: $37, 740!!
Current University of California Office of the President, UCSF Graduate Division, and UCSF Graduate Council policies require that postdoctoral scholars receive a minimum compensation equal to $37,400 (effective October 1, 2009). This salary level was established by the UC Office of the President and was consistent with the NIH salary scale at time of announcement. [IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT REACHED WITH PRO/UAW, THE NEW MINIMUM SALARY FOR POSTDOCS WILL BE $37,740 AS OF 9/1/10. SEE THE UCOP WEBSITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. PLEASE CONTACT THE UCSF POSTDOC OFFICE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. (jeannine.cuevas@ucsf.edu or christine.desjarlais@ucsf.edu; ph 514-4852)]
UC PostDoc Union Proposal, now Public Document, Read it at the Link?
PostDocs in Canada Unionize, win Union Battle?
Postdoctoral associates at the University of Western Ontario will soon be bargaining a collective agreement as the latest in a growing number of postdocs that are unionizing at universities across North America.Western’s administration opposed the union move, arguing that postdocs at the London campus were independent contractors who didn’t meet the legal definition of employees. The issue went before the Ontario Labour Relations Board that ruled in favour of the more than 200 workers, certifying the Public Service Alliance of Canada as their bargaining agent on Sept. 30.
PostDocs in India
How often you hear about PostDocs in general, and how often you hear news about PostDocs in India or China?. Which brings a question?, are there PostDoc jobs in India and China?. PostDocs in these countries is relatively a new development, remember the first time PostDoc was introduced in USA during 1870's, it was such a luxury, it was used to gain some special expertise to expand once background and it was not necessary to have a PostDoc in order to get a Job in Academia or in other arena's?. This is not the case today, it became so important to have PostDoc experience to get a decent job, and may be more than a couple of PostDoctoral position and even after such a prolonged procrastination in Academia, there are huge number of PostDocs life is a treacherous one?.... If this is the case in USA, just imagine in India and China?. PhD holders from India and China used to migrate in huge numbers to US, the conditions of PostDocs got gradually worsened in terms of salary, benefits, child care and future career opportunities, it became like a Slavery in Academia?.
PostDoc Salary is the most debated issue of all of a postdoc's life. So much happened in the past 10 years to PostDoc activities in US. The most profound activity was the postdoc unionization of the Uconn Health Center, followed by the unionization by the largest Postdoc campus in US or perhaps in the world the University of California campuses.No one knows how terrible could be the postdoc conditions in developing poor nations like India and China, but there is certainly no information about many European, African, Asian and South American nations. Most of the postdoc data available thus far are from US, Canada, UK and the rest of the world's postdoc data is simply redundant?.
Two of the most important countries to watch for postdocs concern or PostDoc plights are India and China, these two nations alone bulk produce two- thirds of the PostDoc pool of this world, while most of them used to move out to either west, Europe or Australia, the trend is changing, more Indians look for the green pastures right there in India, I believe the same applies to Chinese youngsters.But, is the Indian govt or higher education bodies do their jobs to keep postdocs career equitable and respectable?.
The answer is no, there is not even a body to monitor the welfare of postdocs, at least in US, there is NIH standard and there is the National Science Foundation and various other bodies that influence policy making for postdocs. On top of All the above the new found awareness of PostDocs in US catapulted by UCONN PostDocs after they Unionized? Their unionization is greatly helping a sea change in postdocs plight. Hope the postdocs in India and China watch and learn some lessons and start tightening the policy making to benefit the postdocs....!So, what is happening to PostDocs in India, I could not find much news, but the Nature forum has a little bit of discussion going on......
This is a public forum
Postdoc Salary in India
Saturday, 21 February 2009 18:36 UTC
Hello All
I am Arun, pursuing postdoc in India. I am personally not satisfied with the postdoc stipend offered in India and I believe that the handful of students doing postdoc in India might concur with my view.
The low salaries offered to Postdocs in India is one of the major factor which is impelling Indian students to either pursue postdoc abroad or to join private R&D establishments. This is slowly devolving the scientific future of India.
The Plight of Japan's PostDocs?
Japan's postdocs open to alternative work
Toshiyuki Misu1 & Akira Horoiwa1
The government and universities must highlight non-academic careers and nurture a diverse skill set, say Toshiyuki Misu and Akira Horoiwa.
Postdocs in Japan have had a tough time finding permanent positions, either in academia or in the private sector. In a 2005 survey by the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) to identify postdocs' career intentions, we investigated people's awareness of and desire for non-traditional science jobs (NISTEP Report 161). We asked about 10% of the postdocs in Japan to participate, 66% of whom responded.
Rutgers PostDocs are on their way to Unionize successefully, FAQ!
Why should I get involved with a postdoc union when I don’t plan on being around in a year?
If not you, then who? The postdocs who are currently employed at Rutgers have a vote over whether they and future generations of postdocs get to have a meaningful voice in determining their pay and working conditions. Also, any improvements we can make here can serve to raise standards for postdocs at other institutions across the country.
PostDoc Message Group
Click to join 21st_CenturyPostdocs_YoungScientists
UCLA PostDoc Union Negotiations with University?
UCLA Graduate Division
Dear Deans, Directors, Chairs, and Faculty:
As of November 3, 2008, the University of California recognized the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) as the exclusive representative for addressing wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment for the following Postdoctoral Scholar title codes:
• Postdoctoral Scholar – Employee (Title Code 3252)
• Postdoctoral Scholar – Fellow (Title Code 3253)
• Postdoctoral Scholar – Paid Direct (Title Code 3254)
• Postgraduate Researcher – FY (Title Code 3240)
• Postgraduate Researcher – AY State Funds (Title Code 3243)
• Postgraduate Researcher – AY Extramural Funds (Title Code 3245
• Visiting _________ - Postdoc (Title Code 3370)
The University and the UAW have commenced negotiations on an initial collective bargaining agreement for the postdoctoral scholars unit. Below is a short summary of negotiations currently in progress.
UPDATE ABOUT POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR NEGOTIATIONS – APRIL 3, 2009
SUMMARY INFORMATION
Today's PostDoc & their Plight?
A man of his stature with the title “the NIH director”, supposed to be the highest and most respectable government authority and policy maker on issues in science/medicine writes “we should not eat our seed corn but protect it”?.
his writings underlies the fact that even this high and mighty NIH director knows the problem of the young scientists of today?, especially the postdoctoral fellows. But yet, neither he nor the scientific committee's at the NIH has taken necessary measures to help improve the current NIH funding system. This area is grossly/largely ignored or deliberately let loose without much restructuring.
The whole academia or higher education system in USA needs a careful reorganization, otherwise what you see will continue, a single faculty of 65 or 70 years old will have all the funding available and sit on it for years until his/her demented brain kills all the funding with as many as 32 grants (MOST OUTRAGEOUS DISPARITY) and
our most valuable and efficient young scientists will be struggling to meet the ends between the academia, lab and their family commitments.
What our current academic policies and atmosphere does to our young scientists is to chase the potential scientists out of labs and academia. Why blame these youngsters if they seek green Pasteur elsewhere like a “biotech job or an industry job”, they have no choice than to look elsewhere for their future.
STEM EDUCATION
Plight of the Postdoc
Is Modern American Science Strangling Its Young Talents In the Cradle?
In some cases, one can even single out
an apparent hoarding of research funds.
In 2007, two hundred scientists received six or more NIH grants, and a single investigator won 32 grants, while many others got close to ten.An NIH advisory panel has recommended that grant awardees devote at least 20 percent of their time to each, but these numbers show a clear disconnect between intentions and reality. These multiple awards are going to established investigators—who are certainly not spending one fifth of their time per study—while younger scientists would probably devote more energies to the work. Thus, laboratories around the country are fostering a “survival of the oldest” dynamic.