Welcome to the MIT Postdoc Orientation!• Presented by the MIT Postdoctoral Association (PDA)

• Topics covered:• Defining the postdoc position

• Differences between associates and fellows• Statistical data on the MIT postdoc community• Postdoc representation at MIT• PDA structure, advocacy, and committees• Resources available• How to get involved

• The general MIT new hire orientation is optional for postdocs (1:00 – 3:00 PM)

• Covers employee benefits in more detail, but if you have any benefits questions, please ask Michelle Carmichael at the end of this orientation session

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Defining Postdocs

What is a postdoc?

“An individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue his or her chosen career path”- NPA, NIH, and NSF definition

key points:- YOU choose the path- mentor supports you

Postdoc Appointments

• Made to academic departments, laboratories, or centers (DLCs) with the approval of the department head or laboratory/center director

• A broad training program should be in place (not simply to perform one specific task or research project)

• Intended to be a temporary position of a defined length• Not for long-term, indefinite, or career appointments

• Typically between 1-4 years• Not usually for less than one term• Approval of dean required for extension for 5th year

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Mentoring Plans and Annual Reviews

• Postdocs and their supervisors should plan for an introductory meeting to set overall goals and construct a mentoring plan. In addition, postdocs should have an annual review to evaluate overall progress toward meeting goals.

• A basic outline for a mentoring plan, suggested template for an annual review, and other related resources are part of the Postdoctoral Mentoring and Advising Toolkit (postdocs.mit.edu/career-development/mentoring-and-advising/postdoctoral-mentoring-and-advising-toolkit).

• This website contains the set of information and forms that was developed at MIT to assist the training of postdoctoral researchers by their respective mentors/advisers. This toolkit might also be helpful to postdocs to monitor their progress at MIT.

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Comparing Postdoc Associates and Fellows

Postdoc Associates

• Applies to those who are paid a salary by MIT, usually charged to a grant or contract secured by their faculty mentor

• Salary and benefit pool can cost faculty mentor upward of $90k per associate

• Income taxes are withheld

• Eligible for all MIT employee benefits

Postdoc Fellows

• Applies to scholars who receive financial support in the form of a fellowship or stipend, usually from an outside agency

• Benefit pool is not applied to fellows and costs the faculty mentor nothing

• Stipend income (except foreign-sourced) subject to taxes; federal taxes withheld from “non-resident aliens”

• Eligible for some benefits (see benefits officer)

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Statistics about MIT PostdocsThere are 1547 postdocs at MIT (as of October 2015)

Sources: MIT data provided by Institutional Research, Office of the Provost7

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Foreign

Oversight of Postdocs

Vice President for ResearchProf. Maria Zuber

Director of Postdoctoral ServicesDana Bresee Keeth

Faculty-Postdoctoral Advisory Committee (FPAC)Seven faculty members and MIT PDA leadershipProf. Hazel Sive

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MIT Postdoctoral Association (PDA)

We are a postdoc-led organization with the mission of enhancing the quality of the experience for over 1500 postdoctoral trainees appointed in over 50 departments, labs, and centers (DLC) at MIT

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Most of our work is accomplished through our Executive Board, Committees, and Sub-Committees

MIT Postdoctoral Association

Executive Board• President• Vice President• Treasurer• Recording Secretary• Corresponding Secretary

Committees• Advocacy• Alumni• Fundraising• Community Building• Human Affairs• IT/Webmaster• Orientation• Postdoc Initiative Grant• Professional Development• Sports

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Committees could always use more people helping out!

Augusto TentoriPresident

pda-president@mit.edu

Kathrin GraetzVice President

pda-vp@mit.edu

Jake MartinTreasurer

pda-treasurer@mit.edu

Advocating for Postdocs since 2010

Supported by the Vice President for Research (VPR) OfficeADVOCACY ACHIEVEMENTS:• NIH NRSA recommended pay scale now enforced as mandatory minimum at MIT

(implemented on April 1, 2016):

• Similar benefits for postdoctoral fellows (e.g. transportation)• Access to career services• Postdoc representation on numerous MIT presidential committees• Secure access to the Infinite Connection for postdoctoral alumni• Postdoc orientation for fellows and associates• Social and professional development functions

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Years of Experience 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 or

more

Stipend 2016 $43,692 $45,444 $47,268 $49,152 $51,120 $53,160 $55,296 $57,504

Projected 2017 $47,484 $47,844 $48,216 $50,316 $52,140 $54,228 $56,400 $58,560

Thomas Matarazzo

pda-advocacy@mit.edu

Continuing to Advocate for Postdocs

CURRENT POSTDOC ADVOCACY COMMITTEE INITIATIVES:• Better housing solutions for postdocs, especially when first moving to town• Better data collection initiatives such as entry and exit surveys to identify

needs of postdocs and job placement after MIT• Raising postdoc salaries to $50,000 (adjusted for local cost of living)• Creating a more caring and welcoming environment for postdocs

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HEALTH BENEFITS FOR POSTDOC FELLOWS

• Please discuss with the “Key Administrative Contact for Postdocs” for your department: http://postdocs.mit.edu/postdocs-and-office-vpr/key-administrative-contacts-postdocs

Coverage Tier Postdoc AssociatesMIT Traditional Health Plan

Postdoc FellowsMIT Affiliate Plan and Extended Insurance

Difference

Individual $2,328 $4,296 -$1,968

Individual and Spouse (or Spousal Equivalent)

$5,604 $7,272 -$1,668

Individual and dependent $4,800 $5,256 -$456

Family $7,392 $8,172 -$780

News and information for postdocs

Twitter | @MITPDA

MIT Postdoc Listserv (announcements + a weekly PDA newsletter):postdocs.mit.edu/join-postdoc-mailing-list

MIT Postdoc Forum:mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/postdocforum

Facebook | MIT Postdocs

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Meghan Huber, Corresponding Secretary

pda-corresponding@mit.edu

Social Events

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Community Building Committee

• We organize networking and social events that create a supportive peer group and integrate postdocs into the larger MIT community

• Occasionally coordinate events with the greater Boston PDA (BPDA), which includes postdocs from 14 Boston-area research universities and institutes

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Previous events include happy hours, ice skating, harbor cruises, and BBQsPlease suggest any other events you’d be interested in!

Phalgun Lolur Stefan Thielepda-community@mit.edu

Halloween Bash 2.0Hosted in collaboration with the Boston Postdoctoral AssociationDress up, there will be prizes for best costumes! Some appetizers provided!Date and Time Thursday, October 27, 6:30-9:00pmLocation North Star (222 Friend Street, Boston)Registration It is a free event but you need to register beforehand here

Sports Committee

Additional activities planned by members of the Facebook group “Sports Activities for MIT Postdocs” at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499342643696472/

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David Zhitomirsky

pda-sports@mit.edu

P D A . M I T . E D U / S P O R T S - E V E N T S

The PDA-sponsored MIT Postdocs team won the Summer 2016 intramural soccer B league!

Sports events every Friday evening7:30-9:00 PM on Fridays in the Z-CenterNo gym membership required!Volleyball this week – all levels welcome

Drinks and complimentary snacks at the Muddy Charles Pub afterward

Human Affairs Committee

Committed to:• Creating a more caring and welcoming environment for

postdocs• Postdocs supporting their peers• Connecting postdocs –to each other, and to MIT

resources• Improving work-life balance, salary equity, and benefits• Serving on the Committee on Race and Diversity

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Kathryn Dupont

pda-humanaffairs@mit.edu

Sponsors a monthly coffee hourLast Thursday of each month4-6 PM, building 56, 3rd floor kitchenette

The deadline for applications for travel during Jul – Dec 2016 has passed but be sure to keep an eye out for the next call for applications!

Professional Development

Travel grants for postdocsThe MIT Postdoctoral Association (PDA) is pleased to offer travel grants for postdocs

• Up to $600 awarded for domestic travel per person• Up to $1000 awarded for international travel per person

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Yogesh Dayma

pda-professional@mit.edu

Please suggest other professional development events you would like to attend (e.g. networking, invited speakers, etc.)

Fundraising Committee

Deniz Bozyigit

pda-fundraising@mit.edu

• Historically has provided funding for ~25% of the PDA’s budget

• Additional funding allows the PDA to sponsor more social events, PING, and travel grants

• Attracts a broad range of sponsors and donors from industry in different fields of science

• Arranges events for fundraising during the year (such as the vendors event)

Signature Event:

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Most recent awardees:• Postdoc Running and Jogging Club- Alex Klotz (aklotz@mit.edu) - $350

A weekly running club for postdocs with an opportunity to meetup for snacks and socialization post run.

• Postdoc Meditation and Mindfulness Meetup- Dina Tsukrov (dinat@mit.edu) - $700

Mediation and mindfulness sessions for postdocs during the lunch hour.

• Postdoc Zumba- Maria Patsyuk (mpatsyuk@mit.edu) - $650

Weekly Zumba classes for Postdocs.

Previous initiatives:• Postdoc Podcast – Alexandre Albanese (albanese@mit.edu) – $530

A weekly podcast featuring interviews from MIT postdocs of all disciplines.

• The MIT Think Tank Candlelight Vigil for the Academic Funding Crisis – Christin Glorioso (glorioso@mit.edu) – $300

An event to increase awareness of the academic funding crisis.

• Postdoc Organization for Women Engaged in Research (POWER) – Lilian Hsiao (lchsiao@mit.edu) – $400

An event to launch the women’s group specifically for postdocs.

• Interdisciplinary Playdates – Xiaoyu Peng (xiaoyup@mit.edu) – $500

Playdates for kids of MIT postdocs of all disciplines.

• MIT Yoga Postdoctoral Initiative (MyPi) – Sarah Safieddine (sarahsaf@mit.edu) – $1020

Weekly yoga classes for postdocs.

Postdoc Initiative Grant (PInG)

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Elizabeth Stewart

pda-ping@mit.edu

P D A . M I T . E D U / P I N G

Postdoctoral Organization for Women Engaged in Research (POWER)

• Less than 30% of postdocs at MIT are women

• Our mission is to provide professional and personal development support for women to pursue advanced careers and to support and advocate for women postdocs in all aspects of their professional training at MIT

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Contact: Lisa Anderson, P D A . M I T . E D U / P O W E R

POWER Core Team (L to R: Dr. Wasifa Jamal, Dr. Angela Hafner, Dr. Lilian Hsiao, Dr. Soumya Gudiyella and Dr. Lisa Anderson)

Upcoming events:• Professional development seminars• Socio-cultural events• Community servicePast Events:• Seminar with Prof. Kristala L. Jones Prather• Pizza and movie night, summer BBQ• Seminar with Prof. Marcia Haigis

Please join us in creating an inviting and enriching environment to address women’s needs, represent postdoctoral women at MIT, and plug-in to relevant professional resources!

*POWER does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.

Join our mailing listPower-postdocs@mit.edu

Follow us on Twitter @MIT_POWER

Laanders@mit.edu

Additional Resources

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MIT Work-Life Center - 844-405-5433 - hrweb.mit.edu/worklife/

MIT Spouses & Partners Connect - spouses.mit.edu/This is a dedicated network for spouses/partners/the significant others of MIT postdocs, students, staff and faculty. There are regularly scheduled groups and activities help individuals to meet people, share experiences, discover work and career opportunities, improve English, and get information about living and parenting in Boston.

Community Wellness at MIT - medical.mit.edu/services/community-wellness This provides classes, programs, and resources related to health, well-being, and family life.

Global Education & Career Development – gecd.mit.edu/Career-related resources and one-on-one counseling appointments with the MIT Career Counselor for Postdoctoral Scholars are available.

Postdoctoral Mentoring and Advising Toolkit (postdocs.mit.edu/career-development/mentoring-and-advising/postdoctoral-mentoring-and-advising-toolkit)

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• MIT Recreation Facilities (postdocs.mit.edu/home/campus-services-resources-and-tips)MIT Postdoctoral Associates and Fellows now qualify for DAPER membership at the MIT Faculty/Staff rate. Fellows require a certification letter with their MIT ID to qualify for this rate

• Fitness Benefit: Depending on your health insurance plan, members of MIT Recreational Sports and certain other health clubs may be eligible for a $150 annual reimbursement. MIT-specific information is available through MIT Medical, with additional guidance for MIT Recreational Sports members under Health Insurance Reimbursement information. Unfortunately, members of the MIT Affiliate Extended Insurance Plans are not eligible. (http://www.mitrecsports.com/join/health-insurance-reimbursement/)

• MIT Alumni Infinite Connection (alum.mit.edu/help/RegistrationFAQ)An Infinite Connection account provides access to networking opportunities, job listings, career advice, and other resources. A postdoc may register for an account after having a MIT postdoctoral appointment of nine months or longer

• The Writing & Communication Center (writing.mit.edu/wcc)Appointments are available for free professional advice about all types of writing and speaking/oral presentations. (Closed during parts of the summer.)

• MIT Facts (web.mit.edu/facts/) MIT Facts is a pocket-sized compendium of essential facts about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The data is accurate as of January 2016 unless otherwise indicated.

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Additional Resources

Get Involved with the Postdoctoral Association!

• Talk to us afterwards – we love feedback!• Feedback requested

https://goo.gl/forms/W6o5wpBjYqshjIUF2

• Sign up to the listserv (postdocs.mit.edu/join-postdoc-mailing-list)

• Check out the website (pda.mit.edu)• Come to one of our monthly meetings

• Usually 2nd Monday each month (unless it’s a holiday)• Register at

https://docs.google.com/a/sdenn.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEPTfH85xmk-KuWdYhy1RVy-AqTAWmWVNMDTpkdqGFyiViJA/viewform

• Contact us: pda.mit.edu/contact

• Boston Postdoc Association (BPDA) website: bostonpostdocs.org

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Upcoming MIT PDA meetings (12 PM in E25-202, lunch provided)

Monday, November 14

Monday, December 12