“Providing a national voice and seeking change for postdocs” Carol L. Manahan, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins Medical School

What are the major concerns of postdocs? Status and Recognition/Benefits Work Environment Career Outcomes/Resources

History 2002 AprilFormed Exploratory Committee of postdocs August Awarded Planning Funds AAAS EHR Directorate agrees to serve as sponsor DecemberReceived funding (~450K) from Alfred P. Sloan Foundation 2003 January Steering Committee meets in Washington, DC to pursue collaborations and support from NIH, NSF, AAMC’s GREAT Group, NRC/NAS, etc. March Inaugural Meeting, Ratified Const. and By-Laws September Hired Executive Director October Work with NIH to address postdoc issues

Why is the NPA Needed? 1. Provide unique national voice for postdocs 2. Address national issues 3. Actively support local PDAs Mission Statement The mission of the National Postdoctoral Association is to advance the U.S. research enterprise by maximizing the effectiveness of the postdoctoral community and enhancing the quality of the postdoctoral experience for all participants.

Goals 1.Expand capacity of individuals in postdoc community * assume responsibility for their roles * create systems of mutual accountability * foster professional development 2. Encourage development and implementation of policies that promote positive change in the postdoctoral experience. 3. Collect and disseminate essential information so that postdoctoral researchers and stakeholderscan make informed decisions about their futures and guide policy considerations at all levels. 3. Collect and disseminate essential information so that postdoctoral researchers and stakeholders can make informed decisions about their futures and guide policy considerations at all levels.

Initiatives PDA Outreach (POP) National Postdoctoral Survey -Sigma Xi Website Resources Positive Change in National Policy- NIH Annual Meeting Professional Society Collaborations (serve on committees and as advisors)

NPA White Paper to NIH Support and Enhance Transition to Scientific Independence Provide Leadership Toward Ensuring Fair Compensation for Postdocs Change NIH Regulations that Influence Postdoctoral Classification

Established to improve the lives of postdoctoral fellows in the United States Provide national voice for postdoctoral researchers Work collaboratively with other stakeholders to work towards positive change Need Input from You!

Become a Member! Members include: graduate students, postdocs, faculty, administrators and others interested in improving the situation for postdoctoral fellows in the United States. Membership is NOT limited to postdocs.

Executive Board Cindy Jo Arrigo, PhD, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School Orfeu Buxton, PhD, Harvard Medical School Karen Christopherson, PhD, Stanford Medical School Raymond Clark, PhD, UC- San Diego Huong Huynh, PhD, Burnham Institute Carol Manahan, PhD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Keith Micoli, PhD, University of Alabama, Birmingham Arti Patel, PhD, Nat’l Cancer Institute/NIH Derek Scholes, PhD, NY State Department of Health Claudina Stevenson, PhD, Tufts Univ./NIH J. Lille Tidwell, PhD, Georgetown University Medical Center Steven Wendell, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

Contact the NPA Alyson Reed, Executive Director Carol Manahan, Chair Support: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation American Association for the Advancement of Science

Career Advice, Based on My Experiences Create a “career plan” and modify as neededCreate a “career plan” and modify as needed (FASEB IDP). This should be done early! Research Your Postdoc/Job CarefullyResearch Your Postdoc/Job Carefully Practice your presentations- with many audiencesPractice your presentations- with many audiences Ask others about your prospective employerAsk others about your prospective employer Look at the records of past employeesLook at the records of past employees Be upfront about your career plans with employerBe upfront about your career plans with employer Ask important questions about prospective employerAsk important questions about prospective employer Talk to other employees before you take the job!Talk to other employees before you take the job! It is never too late to change your mind.It is never too late to change your mind.