University of Calgary Post- doctoral Association Annual General Meeting Nov. 18 th, 2010

Agenda Post-doctoral association – What, who, why, when, and how? – Highlight areas of current need Introductions of PDAC executive PDAC plans for the year – Professional development – Status – employee vs. student.

What is PDAC? Represents all U of C post-docs MISSION of PDAC – Providing a collective voice for important issues with particular relevance to postdoctoral associates (survey) – Provide a liaison between postdoctoral fellows and the U of C administration (committee work) – Work with the postdoctoral office to promote and develop effective career training and counselling of postdoctoral fellows at The U of C

Who is PDAC? We are all members of PDAC. Executive members Axinia Doering Heather Jamniczky Mike Cavers Mathieu Chansard Eoin O'Grady Malgorzata Gasperowicz Ravi Thakur Sean Parsons Sasha Grigory Cosmas Ezeuko Stefano Peca Stuart Netherton

Why should I be involved? To be involved and have your voice heard Sit on committees – Network – Inside look at how the academic system works Good for your CV Meet fellow post-docs

Committees Faculty of Medicine – Graduate Education Committee - Stuart – Faculty Promotions Committee (Full & PT) - Stefano – Executive Faculty Council – Axinia/Heather – Faculty Council - Eoin University wide – Research Development & Policy Committee - Mike

When can I get involved? The PDAC executive is always looking for more people to get involved. Committee work Organizational efforts for symposia, lectures etc. Newsletter editor(s) Come out to and participate in workshops, the annual general meeting, and lectures hosted by the PDAC. Participate in discussions about important topics for all post-docs.

Areas of need Active PDAC members (executive) Newsletter editor(s) CAPS representative Post-secondary learning act

ONE NEWSLETTER, TWO ROLES Provide resources for Professional Development – Presentation of career options through interviews – Offer tools to optimize career planning – Inform on upcoming workshops and funding opportunities Strengthen the postdoctoral community – Provide information on PDAC current activities – Introduce postdocs with fun activities to do around Calgary – Allow postdocs to learn about what other postdocs are doing at the UofC

Role of the Editor(s) Define the content of each section: – Which career to present (ex: Assistant professor, Technology analyst, Medical writer) – Which topic for the career tool section / Find a writer – Find a topic and an invited writer for the feature article – Find illustrations / comics… Coordinate the work of contributing writers – Discuss with the contributing writers about the content of their sections – Discuss with Marilyn about funding opportunities – Follow up and make sure all contributions are received in time Write the introduction Assemble the Newsletter, format and check for typos – Use of Adobe InDesign

Newsletter Summary The goal of the newsletter is to help postdocs taking control of their career and create a stronger postdoc community Ideally, several editors should share the tasks to reduce the workload (and increase the number of ideas to improve The Post and make it evolve!) If you are interested in becoming the next editor(s), please contact Mathieu at

Canadian Association of Post-doctoral Scholars Provide a unified voice representing Canadian Postdoctoral fellows CAPS – Facebook group

Post Secondary Learning Act From the U of A post-doctoral association: “Our aim is to be recognized within this legislation as part of the University community with the hopes of being included in Senate and General Faculties Council” Legislation to be opened in January.

Professional Development Becoming more and more important to have a plan B in regards to future employment. Plan to run seminars in 2011 to address some needs to help with employment plans

Professional Development academiaNon-academia Job search I, II, III  CV/resume  Reference letters  Job talk, etiquette  What do you have to offer  Job negotiations Job search I, II, III  CV/resume  Reference letters  Job talk, etiquette  What do you have to offer  Job negotiations Project management Communication skills Conflict resolution  Setting expectations  How to deal with conflicts  Conflict counselors Conflict resolution  Setting expectations  How to deal with conflicts  Conflict counselors HR Management Trainee supervision Academic Teaching skills Budget/grantsBudget Networking skills Lab management

Professional Development Need your help & input! – What topics would you like to see? – What format would you prefer 1hr over lunch 4hr one afternoon Whole day seminar Please with – Have you attended a conference with a good speaker? – Do you have company/industry contacts? – Alumni?

Post-doc Status at the U of C Employee vs. student/trainee Recently it was officially decided by the government that Post-doc salaries are taxable Currently we don’t get benefits of being full employees (CPP, EI, access to programs set up for UofC employees) and don’t get benefits of being students (facility use at UofC, access to on campus health care)

How to get in contact – Maintained by Marilyn & the UofC – Maintained by PDAC Marilyn – PDAC – CAPS Facebook group