Postdoc Blog at the University of Chicago

Announcements from the Public Affairs Committee -February 27th 2012

2012-02-27T10:02:00.000-08:00

Academic Women at the University of Chicago

An organization can only be as successful as the talent, passion and determination of their faculty, post-docs. and students. Furthermore, cultivating an environment that is rich in resources and support for both men and women is critical. More relevantly; women in academics face an unparalleled challenge due to many factors that simply do not confront men. To start an objective discussion into how important women are to academics, how we can improve support mechanisms for women in academics and how we can begin a rationale conversation for cultivating a rich environment that satisfies the needs of women, please view the “Report on the Status of Academic Women at The University of Chicago”, below.

Academic Women at UoC: http://women.uchicago.edu/wlcmain/academicwomensreport.shtml

Special Awareness Issues for Women at UoC

As post-docs., women can face an up-hill battle in performing the same level of high-impact, important and exciting research as men do, due to motherhood, lack of similar compensation as men or other female-related issues that do not confront men. As colleagues, teammates and responsible community members, we must remember this in the world of academics. To help support equality between academic men and women, we have appended several resources for women post-docs., below. The first web-link is a guide, tailored especially for women that, aides in the complicated decision-making and health-related choices that women post-docs. face on a constant basis. The second web-link is a link to funding opportunities that especially tailor to the interests of women post-docs. The third and final link is a source for the family resource center, which is especially helpful for those post-docs. (including both men and women) with children.

Women’s guide to UoC: http://wguide.uchicago.edu/

Women’s funding opportunities: http://women.uchicago.edu/faculty_academic/funding.shtml

Family resource center: http://grad-affairs.uchicago.edu/services/frc1.shtml

Strong women encourage a positive post-doc. experience at UoC

Strong academic women at University of Chicago are making a positive impact on our collective future. To honor their commitment and importance, as well as to thank them for their service, we highlight some of the many women at UoC that are constantly striving to increase the prestige, knowledge and collective good for us all. Below, you will find several biographies of women at UoC, drawn from a long list of academic women making a huge impact on post-docs.

Dr. Nancy E. Schwartz: Associate Dean of Post-Doctoral Affairs. Dr. Schwartz is an extraordinary advocate for post-docs and is the founding Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral affairs at the University of Chicago. She has served as chair of both the Graduate Research and Education Deans, the Postdoctoral Leaders Group at the Association of American Medical Colleges, is on the board of directors of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and is a founding advisory board member of the National Postdoctoral Association.

(http://bmb.bsd.uchicago.edu/Faculty_and_Research/01_Faculty/01_Faculty_Alphabetically.php?faculty_id=151)

Dr. Melissa Gilliam: Associate Dean of Diversity of the BSD. Dr. Gilliam is currently Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as Professor of Pediatrics. Her recent appointment as Associate Dean of Diversity will play a critical leadership role with regard to increasing the diversity of UoC faculty through retention, career development and recruitment, as well as fulfilling an important role in attracting a diverse student- house staff- and fellow-based community.

(http://www.uchospitals.edu/physicians/melissa-gilliam.html)

Dr. Anne I. Sperling: Associate Director of the MSTP Curriculum. Dr. Sperling is currently Associate Professor of Medicine, Director of the respiratory biology training grant, Director of the immunology applications facility, Associate Director of the MSTP curriculum and member of several graduate programs. Dr. Sperling has a strong commitment to postdoctoral training and has served on over 40 thesis committees.

(http://biomed.uchicago.edu/common/faculty/sperling.html)

NPN event in Hyde Park

2012-02-26T19:10:00.002-08:00

Neighborhood Parents Network (NPN) is hosting events in Hyde Park and South Loop!

From their newsletter:
Our South Side Neighborhood events are here to help you make new connections and get must-have parent information.

Saving for College & Estate Planning @ Hyde Park Neighborhood Club
When: Tuesday, February 28, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave, Chicago, 60615
Parking: Neighborhood parking available.
Cost: Free
Who: Members & non-members - Adults only.
RSVP: RSVP today!

We know financial plannng, college costs, and estate planning are topics that weigh heavily on the minds of new and growing families. Let Hyde Park Parent Support Network and NPN help you take a big step forward, now matter where you are starting from! Read more...

Infant Crying & Sleep @ Daystar Center
When: Wednesday, March 7, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: Daystar Center, 1550 South State Street, Chicago, 60605
Parking: FREE parking behind the Daystar Center or metered street parking.
Cost: Free!
Who: Members & non-members - Adults only.
RSVP: RSVP today!

Getting a handle on infant crying and sleeping can be a challenge, especially when you are sleep deprived and feeling stressed. You are not alone! Read more...

Postdoc funding

2012-02-15T08:54:00.000-08:00

We have assembled a document showing potential postdoc funding sources. Please comment or contact kolla@uchicago.edu if you have anything to add or change.
The document is here

2% increase in postdoc stipends

2012-02-15T08:02:00.000-08:00

From the bulletin January 23rd 2012

Announced January 20th: NIH stipends increased 2%. 2012 starting salary for postdocs is now $39,264.

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-12-033.html

Update on Childcare Facility

2012-02-11T13:03:00.001-08:00

Dear Colleagues:

We write to let you know that our first child care center will open in Spring 2013. Delays associated with receiving the required municipal approvals have pushed back the scheduled opening from the originally announced date of Autumn 2012. We realize that some parents anticipated enrolling their children this fall. We regret the inconvenience, share the disappointment, and look forward to Spring 2013.

Operated by Bright Horizons, the child care center will occupy a new building designed by Ross Barney Architects in the 5600 block of South Drexel Avenue. As many of you know, the facility will accommodate 124 children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old. Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. A second, similarly sized child care center on Stony Island Avenue is in the design stages, with an anticipated opening in Autumn 2013.

In collaboration with the University and the Medical Center, Bright Horizons has begun developing its program and specific policies for our center. Once additional details are available, we will host some information sessions to introduce Bright Horizons to our community and invite everyone to ask questions.

A website dedicated to child care can be found at http://www.childcare.sites.uchicago.edu/. It gathers information about policies and resources related to young children and links to the websites of the Baby Ph.D. Network and the Chicago Child Care Society, our neighborhood child care partners. The new website also will connect people to Bright Horizons' enrollment information and program details once that information becomes available in the coming weeks on Bright Horizons' website.

Please be kind enough to share this information with all who may be interested. We thank you for your continuing interest and patience and look forward to a quickening pace of progress.

Sincerely,

Thomas F. Rosenbaum, Provost
Kenneth S. Polonsky, MD, Dean, BSD and EVP of Medical Affairs

Announcements from the Public Affairs Committee - January 30th 2012

2012-01-30T08:05:00.001-08:00

The NIH lacks diversity

The NIH has recently assembled a task force to deal with what they view as a problem with a lack of diversity amongst NIH-funded trainees and scientists. The task force has been given the directive to focus on five key transition points in the pipeline: (i) entry into graduate degree programs; (ii) the transition from graduate degree to post-doctoral fellowship; (iii) the appointment from a post-doctoral position to the first independent scientific position; (iv) the award of the first independent research grant from NIH or equivalent in industry; and (v) award of tenure in an academic position or equivalent in an industrial setting. To read more about this project, please see below:

NIH Diversity Taskforce: http://acd.od.nih.gov/DBR.asp

The future of the biomedical workforce

The NIH has recently compiled the combined input for a request from both the extramural and intramural communities on what the NIH should consider with regard to the future of the biomedical workforce. It contains a comprehensive set of data and is a must read for post-docs. considering a research career that depends on NIH support. Please see below for the full report.

Future of Biomed. Workforce: http://acd.od.nih.gov/BWF_RFI.PDF

Youtube used to report scientific misconduct

In an interesting twist on how to report ethical violations of scientific research and/or reporting, an anonymous whistleblower uses the website portal, YouTube, to report alleged wrongdoings by high profile researchers. To read more about this stunning revelation of combing social media with scientific research, please see the below link.

YouTube and misconduct: http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2012/01/whistleblower-uses-youtube-to-assert.html#more

Cell biology for post-docs.

Continuing with our new tradition of highlighting professional science societies that aide post-docs. in the all-so-critical transition from peon to professional, today we focus on The American Society for Cell Biology. This society provides career resources, meeting resources, as well as an actual committee made up to specifically help post-docs. This is all in addition to the many monetary and distinguished awards the society provides. To read more about being a post-doc. in this society, please see below.

Cell bio. for post-docs: http://ascb.org///index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=765&Itemid=353

Support your post-doc. peers!

Our final note to the post-doctoral community focuses on supporting one another. Our very own Vice President of the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division Post-Doctoral Association is starring in local theatre. Show your support and kick back and enjoy the show, Bittersweet Love, playing February 10, 11 and 12 at The Experimental Station in Hyde Park. For more information, please see the link below.

Bittersweet Love: http://hydeparkcommunityplayers.org/

From the Public Affairs Committee - January 16th 2012

2012-01-16T13:36:00.000-08:00

Post-Docs get the chance to submit R01 applications at Stanford
In the competitive academic environment in which post-docs. are competing for faculty positions, the National Institutes of Health has tried to engineer strategies that give some advantage to post-docs. in the form of career development awards. These awards range from the F32, K01, K08, K12, K99, etc. and include various stipend levels and associated research budgets, depending on institute applied to, degree, and background. However, post-doc. success rates in these awards have been decreasing over the past several years. To circumvent this challenge, the Stanford University is beta-testing a program whereby post-docs. submit and compete for an R01, to reduce the overall time to research independence. You can read more about this trial program below and submit your thoughts on our UoCPDA blog website.
Post-Doc. R01 Trial: http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2010/december/postdocs-1213.html

2011 success rates, applications and investigators
One of the great things about being a post-doc. at UoC is that many career routes are available. One of the most obvious paths is the academic biomedical research career. In today’s standards, NIH funding is essential to that career progression. Dr. Sally Rockey, NIH’s deputy director of extramural research, has recently posted on her blog that overall success rates fell between 2010 and 2011. To understand which awards had the lowest and highest success rates, please visit the NIH’s data book for 2011, below. In contrast, you can visit Dr. Rockey’s ‘Rock Talk’ blog to learn more about specific areas that she highlighted in her comments about the new 2011 data.
NIH Data Book: http://report.nih.gov/NIHDatabook/Default.aspx?catid=13
Rock Talk Blog: http://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/rock-talk/

Bill introduced to limit NIH’s open-access policy
Republican Representative Darrell Issa introduced HR.3699, also known as the ‘Research Works Act’. This bill intends to reverse the 4-year old process that NIH implemented to make sure that biomedical researcher’s work can be read by anyone, for free, after inclusion in the PubMed Central Database. A link to the formal language of the bill, as well as an op-ed. piece opposing the legislation, published in The New York Times, can be found below.
Research Works Act: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:h.r.3699:
New York Times Rebuttal: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/opinion/research-bought-then-paid-for.html?_r=1
Ending on a Good Note
With an almost completely stagnant budget at the NIH, not all of the news coming from the NIH has been great for post-docs. However, there is careful optimism on the horizon. Rumor has it that post-docs. will get an 2% salary increase in the year, 2012, based on a post at The National Post-Doc. Association’s website. Check back soon for confirmation of the great news!
NRSA Salary Increase in 2012: http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/policy/briefing-room/191-nih-stipend-freeze

Announcements from the Public Affairs Committee - January 9th 2012

2012-01-09T15:07:00.001-08:00

NIH slated for a small budget increase in 2012
Progress on budget details that affect the NIH and thus, post-docs., have been potentially smoothed out for the 2012 budget. A compromise between democrats and republicans has produced a tentative deal that would provide a $239 million dollar increase in the budget, which results in an overall 0.8% increase in appropriations. For more details, please see the weblink below:
Website: http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/12/nih-doe-appear-headed-for-small.html#more

University of Chicago ranks at the top for post-doctoral NIH support
The Public Affairs Committee has compiled data from the NIH showing the total amount of research post-doctoral funding at all major Chicago-based research institutions (Figure 1), the percentage of funds for each post-doctoral funding mechanism contributing to the overall total at The University of Chicago (Figure 2) and the absolute number of awards per each post-doctoral mechanism at The University of Chicago (Figure 3). Note: these figures are based on independent post-doctoral awards (i.e. F32, K08, K99, etc.) and do not reflect training grants and non-NIH support.

Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3.

Highlighting post-doc. friendly scientific societies and organizations
Each month, the Public Affairs Committee will highlight an organization that commits strong support to their post-doctoral membership with regard to mentorship, grants, competitive awards or friendly atmosphere. This month, we are highlighting the American Association of Anatomists (AAA). The AAA was chosen as the inaugural pick, due to their unprecedented support for post-docs. The AAA provides $20,000 in grant support to post-docs. Irrespective of the field of study, career development mentors, competitive awards of up to $500 for platform sessions and poster presentations at the annual Experimental Biology meeting, as well as guaranteed travel awards of $350 to any post-doc. member that attends the annual Experimental Biology meeting. In addition, the association hosts wine/beer/soda/appetizer mixers at the Experimental Biology conference to promote networking and collaboration amongst their members. To learn more about membership to this organization and the opportunities for post-docs., please see the link below:
AAA for Post-Docs.: http://www.aaatoday.org/membership/postdoc

Announcements from the Public Affairs Committee - Nov 1st 2011

2011-12-19T05:28:00.000-08:00

The NIH Invites Comments and Suggestions on Ways to Support Research Funding In Fiscally-Challenging Times
Did you know that the Office of Extramural Research (OER) has a blog? Did you know that they are reviewing how to fund NIH research in these challenging times? Make your voice heard. Give the NIH your opinion on how they should prioritize research funding in the future. Remember, you are a part of that future and you can only have an impact if you participate. Please see the Director of OER’s (Dr. Sally Rockey’s) blog below: http://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/rock-talk/

The National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Program
Do you have any outstanding student loans from your undergraduate, graduate or medical education and are performing clinically-related research? Are you aware that the deadline for applying for the NIH’s loan repayment program (LRP) is November 15th? Do you want to know the tricks of the trade, regarding the submission of a successful LRP application? We have enclosed links that provide tips when writing the LRP application, as well as a webinar, that goes through helpful information, below:
Written Tips: http://www.lrp.nih.gov/pdf/0310_1_application_tips.pdf
Online webinar: https://webmeeting.nih.gov/p81264103/

The Postdoc: Transition to Independent Positions
Are you unsure of what to do, who to talk to, what to say or even where to start when thinking about your future? Then click on the link below, which will take you to the website for the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. This website includes information via webinar regarding, 1) Making the right career choice; 2) Finding a good institutional fit; 3) Applying for the position; 4) The job interview and seminar; 5) Negotiating a start-up package; 5) Establishing a lab; 6) Finding a mentor; 7) Networking and collaborations; 8) Applying for and getting a grant; 9) The tenure process; 10) Teaching; 11) Non-academic careers; 12) Balancing research/teaching/family/Other commitments.
Website that includes informational webinars: http://www.nigms.nih.gov/multimedia/PostdocsWorkshop032010.htm

Did you know….
Dr. Nancy E. Schwartz, Associate Dean of Postdoctoral Affairs at The University of Chicago has been appointed by The National Academies to review, “The State of the Post-Doctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineers”? The project duration is slated to last for up to 15 months. For more information about the goals of the committee, please see the weblink below.
Website: http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=49380

Post-Doc. Awareness Campaign
Are there issues and/or topics that you feel the post-doc. community should be aware of? If so, 2 seats are still available on the University of Chicago Postdoctoral Association’s Public Affairs Committee. Please email Pragati Nigam, Beth Russell and/or Derek A. Wainwright for more information. Alternatively, email us your thoughts or suggestions and we will try to include them in future informational inserts. Our email addresses can be found below:
Pragati Nigam (Member): pnigam@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu
Beth Russell (Member): beth.alder.russell@gmail.com
Derek A. Wainwright (Chair): dwainwr@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu

Announcements from the Public Affairs Committee - Nov 14th 2011

2011-12-19T05:20:00.001-08:00

Urge Congress to Reject NIH and NSF Spending Cuts

Last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended that the 2012 budgets of the NIH and NSF should be cut by $190 and $162 million, respectfully. However, the House Appropriations Committee has recommended a $1 billion increase for NIH and no funding cuts for NSF. It is critical that you let your members of Congress know that the Senate’s proposals would be devastating to scientific progress. Use the following link below, freely provided by FASEB, to advocate for increased funding levels.

Website: http://capwiz.com/faseb/issues/alert/?alertid=54229811

NIH Research Funding Trends, 1995 – 2012

Are you looking towards the future and wonder what the NIH has funded in the past? Now you can explore data that presents the trends in funding from the last 7 years. Click on the link below for more information.

Website: http://www.faseb.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=B0wWXCcqI4o%3d&tabid=64

The National Post-Doctoral Association

Did you know that there is a National Post-Doctoral Association (NPA)? There are currently many initiatives being promoted by the NPA, including a call for international officers, the announcement of new NPA board members and the announcement that Dr. Alan Leshner, CEO of AAAS, will be the keynote speaker of the 10^th annual NPA meeting. All of the links below will take you to these important updates.

Call for Int. officers: http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/component/content/article/596-call-for-international-officers

New NPA board members: http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/component/content/article/584-2011-board-election

10^th Annual NPA meeting: http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/component/content/article/585-2012-keynote

Impact your future

Some of the post-docs. that call University of Chicago their home are currently attending the Society of Neuroscience meeting, being hosted in Washington D.C. Aside from the outstanding research that the meeting offers, many student/post-doc.-oriented symposiums are geared towards informing those individuals how best to impact their future. One of the workshops, “Advocating in Congress for Federal Research Funding”, emphasized that the future of biomedical research funding is dependent on us, as post-docs. If we fail to advocate for the basic science- and disease-research areas that we all value so deeply, we not only negatively impact the future of science, but also significantly affect future careers in the biomedical field, including ours. Remember, it won’t matter how well connected you are nor how well your grant is written if funding for the NIH/NSF stagnates/decreases in future years. Please contact your society’s advocacy office to see how you can make a difference and if you don’t belong to a scientific society, JOIN ONE!

Announcements from the Public Affairs Committee - December 5th

2011-12-19T05:18:00.000-08:00

These announcements were found in the bulletin on December 5th 2011

Failure to agree by the deficit reduction ‘super committee’ has broad implications for future funding at the NIH

The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction failed to reach a consensus on a long-term cost-cutting package by the November 23, 2011, deadline. Although a direct impact on NIH’s budget in 2012 remains to be determined, the automatic trigger of cutting $1.5 trillion in discretionary spending will likely have an enormous impact on biomedical research during the next 10 years, unless congress acts to protect that programmatic area. We urge you to contact your state senators, congressional representatives and community officials to express the consequences to biomedical research, high quality jobs and to the future careers of countless post-docs., whom will be impacted by this potential action over the short- and long-term.

Please visit the weblink below to understand what the NIH is currently facing, ways it is coping with years of budgetary stagnation and thoughts on potential cuts in the future.

U.S. Science and Austerity: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/334/6057/753.full

The NIH operates under a continuing resolution

The NIH has announced that due to the lack of a defined budget for 2012, it will issue non-competing research grant awards at a level below that indicated on the most recent Notice of Award (generally up to 90% of the previously committed level).

Continuing Resolution: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-12-017.html

2012 workshop for postdocs. transitioning into independent positions

The NIGMS is currently organizing a program whereby post-docs. that are thinking about-, applying for- or transitioning into independent positions get a special look into how best to go about career planning. Notably, the Director of the NIH, Dr. Francis Collins will be delivering the keynote address. Furthermore, travel awards of up to $1,250 are available to those that are interested in attending this event. Finally, the time to consider this event is limited. The application deadline is January 6^th, 2012. For more information, please see the weblink below.

Workshop: http://nigmsworkshop.org/NIGMS/pages/default.aspx

Tis the season for treats and weight gain

Are you contemplating going on a diet to combat the holiday weight gain? If you are looking to maintain your waistline, simply want to stay healthy or considering how to decrease stress levels, consider a fitness membership at one of our outstanding recreational facilities. The rates listed below are for the combined access to the Ratner Athletics Center and Henry Crown Field House.

Rates for Post-Doctoral Scholars/Fellows = $405/annually or $170/quarter

Rates for Post-Doctoral Medical Residents = $144/annually or $36/quarter

Want to sign up a spouse? Please see the following weblink for additional pricing.

Fitness Center: http://athletics.uchicago.edu/facilities/facilities-fees.htm#purchase

Garnett-Powers info sessions: November 8th and 9th 2011

2011-11-14T14:09:00.000-08:00

Members of the Steering Committee attended all five Garnett-Powers info sessions on November 8th and 9th. The slides presented in the sessions are found here Open Enrollment PowerPoint

For those of you that could not make it to the info session, here are some things to know:
1. If you do not want to make any changes in your enrollment choices, you do not need to do anything. If you want to cancel something or add dependents, this is the time. Even if you think you do not want to change anything we strongly suggest you continue reading to find out if there are benefits you could add or modify to better suit your needs.
2. All of the below comments on benefits apply to both postdoctoral scholars and fellows. Scholars have until November 24th to make changes that will take effect on January 1st 2012.
3. However, fellows have open enrollment whenever their funding starts in the calendar year and yearly after that (not necessarily in November). As a fellow you should be receiving a salary supplement to cover your healthcare but this might not cover it fully if you have a family. Talk to your departmental administrator if you are unsure of when you open enrollment is or for more info on the supplement and healthcare costs. For a list of administrators email kolla@uchicago.edu
4. The Summary Plan Description (SPD) has all the details of a plan including what is covered. You can also call Garnett-Powers and Associates at 1-800-261-7109
5. Retirement is NOT part of Garnett-Powers and associates and you can change your benefits twice per year at any time.
6. Garnett-Powers will give you 60 days to sign up for COBRA after your termination date, which is the last day of the month your appointment ends.
7. Open enrollment instructions
8. We hope that this blog is helpful. We have made every effort to ensure that the information here is accurate. Please do confirm important details with your departmental administrator or Garnett-Powers. Feel free to comment, suggest improvements or post questions by leaving comments in the blog or by emailing kolla@uchicago.edu

Here are more details on each type of benefit (Life, Vision, Dental and Health):

LIFE INSURANCE:
All full-times postdocs get $12,000 coverage (remember to put in your beneficiary name on-line). More info here. You get additional $12,000 if accident. J1 status is included and you can purchase more coverage. More info here.

MEDEX TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL POSTDOC SCHOLARS WITH J-1 VISAS. More info here

VISION:
•HMO – One exam every 12 months ($0 copay)
• PPO – One exam every 24 months ($15 copay)

DENTAL PLANS:
Low Dental plan better if you plan to stay in network, lower fees.
High Dental Plan probably only better if you plan to use an out-of network dentist.
Link to provider network

HEALTHCARE COVERAGE:
1)Rate decrease! 2012 rates found here Rates

2) To contact Garnett-Powers you can call 1-800-261-7109 (they will return your call within 24 hours). However, they prefer you email them with concerns and questions at prbp@garnett-powers.com They will also respond to emails in 24 hours.

3) Healthcare reform makes routine physical exams free! Exceptions include a disease is diagnosed at that visit and possibly, for PPO members the University of Chicago outpatient fee (see PPO below).

4) Differences between HMO vs. PPO options.
HMO
Pros:
All around cheaper option. Both in monthly dues and in co-pay amounts.
Cons:
Requires you to have a Primary Care Provider (PCP) and for the PCP to give you referrals to any specialists. You can change your PCP once a month. You cannot go to the University of Chicago Hospital since no doctors are covered there! Also, if you are traveling, this could be a problem. In-network is only Chicago based doctors. You are always covered while traveling if it is an emergency. For out-of-state non-emergency coverage you can get a BlueCard Urgent Care card. However, if you travel a lot a PPO might be more convenient.

PPO
Pros:
1) No need for referral, lots of freedom, can see any doctor including those at the University of Chicago (lots of in-network doctors all over the US).
2) Keep up with claims and expenses on-line using Blue Access. Also allows you to print temporary ID card.
3) Did you know you have access to a 24/7 Nurseline for answers to health-related questions 1-800-299-0274. Another great wellness program is “Special Beginnings” for expectant parents which offers an online resource center. Discounts to fitness centers in the Blue Care Connection Fitness Program. For more information go to the Blue Cross Blue Shield website or contact Garnett-Powers.
4) You can use things like Urgent Care facilities (for example when you are traveling, less wait than the ER and often cheaper). Also look into seeing a nurse at drugstore clinics (Walgreens, CVS) for less urgent matters.

Cons:
1) More expensive monthly payments and in addition to co-pays have to pay 20% of most procedures.
2) University of Chicago physicians charge an outpatient clinic fee (can be several hundred dollars but you will never pay more than your deductible, $250). You may be charged for both a co-pay and outpatient fees. After fulfilling the $250 deductible, the only fees that you have to pay when you see a doctor that calendar year are the $15 co-pay (prescriptions not included). If you have a family, it is still only $250 total per person, $500 whole family. So, if you plan on seeing the doctor more than once (recurring illness, several family members, pregnancy) and you want the convenience of UofC physicians, it is probably worth it. If you plan to see a doctor only once (f.ex. a routine check-up) then you might be better off going elsewhere for your services. I have been informed by a postdoc that Northwestern does not have similar charges.

Look up what doctors are in-network here

Postdoctoral status changes

2011-10-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

Some of us have made the transition from scholar to fellow and back to scholar and wanted to share some tips and cautionary tales. We also recommend anyone about to go through a switch attend one of the PDA quarterly info sessions. The next info session is November 7th 2011 at 2pm in BSLC room 202, RSVP to kolla@uchicago.edu.

First, some definitions:
Postdoctoral scholars are University employees and as such are eligible for benefits (matched retirement, subsidized healthcare, pre-tax parking etc). The scholar is paid a salary.

Postdoctoral fellows have obtained their own funding (NIH, ACS, DOD, AHA, Komen, etc) and are NOT University employees. The paycheck says University of Chicago but you are NOT an employee, no tax is deducted and the fellow is not in the Human Resources system. The fellow is paid a stipend.

Important for international postdocs/Visa holders: Funding agencies will sometimes allow grants to be paid out as salary, allowing postdocs to remain as scholars and thus, university employees. This can be very important for international postdocs, in particular those on H1 visas. Inquire with International Office and your grants administrator about whether the particular funding agency can provide salary instead of stipend.

Switching from postdoctoral scholar to postdoctoral fellow

The transition from scholar to fellow was made easier by the fact that a postdoc. in my lab had just gone through it. The biggest change was that no taxes are taken out of the paycheck and I was responsible for paying estimated payments. There is an online service allowing you to pay your taxes directly that makes things so much easier. It is free, government run and can be provided here. I highly recommend it.

The scholar to fellow transition also involved losing the pre-tax status of the parking, health insurance and having no matched retirement funds. You can contribute to a retirement fund, but the funds will be un-matched and you cannot contribute to the TIAA-CREF fund that is open to all of the employees of the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division.

Every fellow should be paid a supplemental stipend (currently it is $1,600 if healthcare funds are provided or $6,200 if no healthcare funds provided), in addition to the regular stipend you receive. This is to provide you with funds for retirement and healthcare (see below).

It is important to talk to your PI about health insurance, as soon as you find out that you will be transitioning. This is because most postdoctoral scholars pay $62/month (pre-taxed income; $62/month×12months/year=$744). This is in contrast for postdoctoral fellows, who will pay $376.59/month×12months/year=$4,519.08, which is extracted out of the institutional allowance, if any (postdoctoral NRSA stipends currently are provided a $7,850 institutional allowance).

When it comes to families, the health insurance coverage for postdoctoral scholars to coverage a married couple is $129/month (×12months/year=$1,548) and for a family is $156/month (×12months/year=$1,872). When it comes to families for postdoctoral fellows, the difference between affordability is dramatic. For a married couple, the health insurance premium is $794.60/month (×12months/year=$9,535.20) and $1137.26/month (×12months/year=$13,647.12). Thus, both of the latter sums for postdoctoral fellows go far beyond the institutional allowance and will require some good will by your PI for coverage.

For NRSA (F32) recipients, the institutional allowance guidelines can be found here.

Finally, make sure your department implements the $1,600 supplemental stipend (or $6.200, if the grant does not provide healthcare funding) in addition to your normal stipend, during your transition. Although it does not offset the cost of losing the excellent benefits supplied through postdoctoral Scholar status, it does help to defray some of the economic burden.

Switching back from postdoctoral fellow to postdoctoral scholar

Because you are not being newly hired and it is just a change in status, it is very important to make sure all your benefits are in order. I did not pay enough attention when I was switched back from a fellow to a scholar. It turns out that the pre-tax parking was not reinstalled and the retirement was not started. I didn’t realize this until 4 months later and lost the retirement I could have been accruing (including University matching) and pre-tax benefits.

NSF Announces New Career-Life Balance Initiative

2011-10-10T12:11:00.001-07:00

NSF Announces New Career-Life Balance Initiative

The White House Council on Women and Girls, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Science Foundation held a national convocation at the White House on Monday to announce the NSF "Career-Life Balance Initiative." This ten-year plan is designed to "provide greater work-related flexibility to women and men in research careers," according to the press release from the Office of the White House Press Secretary.

http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/component/content/article/579-nsf-announcement

Mailing list for parents

2011-09-13T08:10:00.000-07:00

The"studentparents" mailing list is a great resource for expecting parents and current parent. It gives access to a community of parents at the University. You receive emails about things like babysitting, daycares, schools, nannies, pediatricians receive info on garage sales for gently used items. You can also post your own questions about child-related issues.

Sign up at:
https://lists.uchicago.edu/web/info/studentparents

or within lists.uchicago.edu subscribe to "studentparents" group

Lactation stations at the University

2011-09-13T08:02:00.001-07:00

Here is a list of lactation stations at the University put together by graduate affairs: http://grad-affairs.uchicago.edu/about/lactation.shtml

There is also a room in the hospital which has pumps. Hospital ID is required for access. It is Room TC275 and it is right behind the ABP.

We have also just added a room in Cummings. It is a temporary solution, very small room, only one chair and table and no pumps. You need to get a key to access the room. Please contact kolla@uchicago.edu for more info.

NPA resources on maternity leave

2011-09-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

NPA ADVANCE is a project to assist women postdocs in making the transition to the professoriate. Supported by the National Science Foundation’s ADVANCE program for "advancing" the representation of women in academic careers, NPA ADVANCE will focus on adapting and disseminating promising institutional practices that can help women postdocs successfully transition to faculty careers.
http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/advance

A postdocs guide to pregnancy and maternity leave:
http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/publications/family-friendly/maternity-guide

2011 Survey results

2011-09-08T12:38:00.000-07:00

This past spring the PDA annual postdoctoral survey had 116 respondents! The results help us target the areas of most concern to postdocs, so we thank all who participated. This year’s survey provided valuable insight. For example, 71% of respondents reported that they wished to receive a yearly performance evaluation from their mentors while only 16% reported actually receiving a performance evolution. The PDA recently developed an Individual Development Plan (IDP), a tool for postdocs to use for career-planning purposes and for yearly performance evaluations.
A template of the IDP is available on the website: http://www.bsdpostdoc.uchicago.edu/

This is just one example of how results the PDA tries to improve the postdoctoral experience. For a copy of the complete survey results and an executive summary, visit the Publication section of this website or email Terrie Vasilopoulos (terriev@uchicago.edu) with questions.Also, please share your experience with the IDP and any suggestions for improvement.

Childcare at the University of Chicago: New childcare center available to postdoctoral fellows and scholar in fall of 2012

2011-06-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

Dear postdocs,
The postdoctoral association (PDA) has confirmed that postdoctoral fellows and scholars, in addition to other staff, academic appointees and faculty, will have access to the new childcare center slated to open in the fall of 2012. The center will be located on Drexel between 56th and 57th Streets and will accommodate 124 children between six weeks of age and five years old. An outside provider will operate the new day care center and will charge market rates and allocate slots on a first-come, first-served basis. More information will become available for parents and others interested in the center in 2012.

In addition to the new center, faculty, other academic personnel and staff seeking child care will continue to benefit from the University's partnerships with two local child care providers, the Baby Ph.D. Childcare Network, and the Chicago Child Care Society. In 2005, the University funded grant proposals, creating more than 70 new infant and toddler slots in the neighborhood for children of University and Medical Center employees.

For more information on Baby PhD and Chicago Child Care Society please refer to the following Human resources (HR) childcare webpage and flyer: http://hrservices.uchicago.edu/lifework/life/child/resources.shtml
http://hrservices.uchicago.edu/fpg/forms/benefits/childcareflyer.pdf

On behalf of the PDA Steering Committee,
Kolbrun Kristjansdottir

Wellness programs

2010-03-18T14:28:00.001-07:00

BCBS offers wellness programs:

1- Blue access: online member portal. As a member you get access to this site and can view medical visits, claim status etc. Check BCBS website.

2- Special beginnings: information for expectant mothers, such as on the health of the mother and baby. They have a 24hr toll-free number staffed by maternity nurses.

3- Personal health manager: online health resource; info and tools to help maintain you health.

Life Insurance

2010-03-18T14:27:00.002-07:00

Every post-doc is automatically enrolled in life insurance ($12,000) and the university pays for all of it. You also get $12,000 in case of accidental death. Additional insurance can be purchased in $10K increments, max $200K.

J-1 and J-2 visa holders will also be covered for medical evacuation and repatriation of mortal remains.

Dental insurance

2010-03-18T14:27:00.001-07:00

Dental insurance is voluntary, so you need to actively choose to enroll. You can only do this during open enrollment period each year (usually in November) or within 30 days of when you first start as a post-doc at the university. Exceptions are if you have a life changing event (marriage, birth of child, your spouse lost health insurance etc) then within 30 days of the life-changing eventyou can make changes outside the open enrollment period. If you missed this period or made a mistake and chose the wrong plan, you will need to wait until the next open enrollment to make any changes. We will again continue to have PPO dental insurance just like last year, which means you can pick and choose any doctor whenever you need to see one, as long as they are in-network. However, you have 2 options to choose from within this PPO; high and low options.

Here’s a summary of benefits but as always, you can find more info on the GP website:

http://www.garnett-powers.com/uchicago/dental.htm

At a glance:

High-option costs $48.77 per month per individual ($167.11 for family); $1500 max benefit per person per year

Low-option costs $21.82 per month per individual ($54.55 for family); $5000 max benefit per person per year

There’s quite a bit of a price difference between the two and it’s confusing at first why this is; especially since it seems it should be the other way around when it comes to the premium you pay vs. the benefit you get. From what I understand, high option is the best if you’re planning to use out-of network doctors a lot, since the insurance pays the same if you see an out-of-network doctor or an in-network one. But this freedom comes at another cost, i.e. the max benefit you can claim is much lower in the high option. The only instance that I can think of when this may make sense is if you have a spouse/children in another state and you want to include them in your plan. Otherwise, you’re better off with the low option. Not only you pay less premium, you also get a higher max benefit.

Other than the difference between the premiums and max benefits, both options come with the same basic procedures included in the plan. They include, but are not limited to, 2 routine exams per year, 2 teeth cleanings per year, x-rays etc. So if you’ve paid your premiums all year, you should at least make an appointment to get your teeth cleaning done before the end of December; you’ve earned it. For more complex procedures such as fillings, wisdom teeth removal, root canal etc, both options pay about 80% of the bill for in-network doctors, but you need to first satisfy a $60 deductible if you have the high option before the insurance kicks in. For a list of all included procedures, please check the website.

Vision benefits

2010-03-18T14:26:00.001-07:00

Health insurance through Garnett-Powers comes with vision benefits, through Davis Vision.

Vision benefits (Davis vision discount program):

one eye exam and contact lens evaluation/fitting every 12 months ($10 copay) in HMO

one eye exam and contact lens evaluation/fitting every 24 months ($15 copay) in PPO

If you have HMO, you don’t need referral from your PCP. Insurance pays some of the cost on glasses and contact lenses. You also get discount on Laser vision correction. For a list of Davis Vision providers, go to www.bcbsil.com or visit www.davisvision.com.

Health Insurance

2010-03-18T14:25:00.001-07:00

I went to a seminar by a representative from Garnett-Powers in December 09 and here is a summary of what I understand it was all about. I hope it helps post-docs in making decisions about which healthcare plan to choose. The numbers represented here is for individual medical coverage only. For family coverage, or for a complete list of things covered, please check GP website (http://garnett-powers.com/uchicago/).

The healthcare coverage that post-docs held for the year 2009 is changed from UHC PPO to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) starting January 1^st, 2010. Post-docs did not have a choice other than a PPO plan for the previous year, but with the BCBSIL, we now can choose between a PPO and a HMO plan for medical insurance. If you did not make any changes, then you are automatically enrolled in the new PPO plan as of January 1st. With the new BCBSIL plan, rates have also gone up (your paycheck will be ~$10 less a month). PPO is more expensive than HMO but only by a couple of dollars and you have the option of choosing.

We will continue to have PPO dental insurance but have the option of PPO or HMO for medical insurance.

HMO vs PPO:

Calendar year deductible: the total amount you pay in a calendar year before the insurance begins paying.

HMO:

If you choose HMO, you have to choose an in-network primary care physician (PCP) and he/she becomes the gatekeeper. You need to go to your PCP for all non-emergency medical related issues. He/she will then refer you to an appropriate specialist, which means a second trip to the doctor’s. You cannot just pick a doctor when you need to see one without seeing your PCP first. One nice thing is that, any doctor in the hospital that’s available that day can be your PCP, even a registered nurse (RN). You can also change your PCP once a month. In HMO plan, if you see an out-of network doctor, you pay it all out of pocket (no benefit at all).

HMO doesn’t have deductibles, so every time you are admitted to a hospital you need to pay $250 until you reach $1500/individual, then you don’t pay anymore and there’s no lifetime max on the benefits received. Co-pay is $10 for routine exams.

PPO:

PPO plan is more flexible than HMO in that you don’t need to see a PCP, you can just pick any doctor you want. Benefits are also greater for in-network doctors, i.e the insurance will cover more if the doctor is within their network, which means less out-of-pocket costs to you. If you see an out-of-network, you’ll pay more out-of pocket.

There’s a $250 yearly deductible, it pays 100% once you satisfy this deductible. This means that max out-of-pocket is $250 but it’s hard to reach that limit unless you get hospitalized and have major surgery. Co-pays do not count towards the deductible. Routine physical exam is $15 co-pay, as well as mental health visits. There is a lifetime max benefit, which is $2 million per individual. This may seem like a high amount, but if you have major accident or get a long-term illness, it’s very easy to reach that limit. There’s no such limit if you have HMO.

Going to the ER is $75 but if you go to an urgent care center the co-pay is $30.

Examples:

HMO doesn’t have deductibles, so every time you are admitted to a hospital (does not include regular exams) you need to pay $250, until you reach the $1500 max out-of pocket (in PPO, once you satisfy the deductible, you are covered %100).

i.e. if you go to a doctor for regular exam (outpatient service):

PPO $15 co-pay, rest is covered 100%

HMO $10 co-pay, rest is covered 100%

If you check into a hospital (inpatient service):

PPO: $250 once and you can check in 5 times a year and don’t pay anything but lifetime max benefit is $2 million.

HMO: $250 every time, until you reach $1500 (6 visits), then you don’t pay anything beyond that. Also, no limit on the benefits received.

U OF CHICAGO IS NOT PART OF HMO!! U of C doctors only take PPO plan, so if you choose HMO you need to go somewhere else.

Also, here’s the downside of seeing a doctor at the U of Chicago. When you see a doctor there, the visit is billed as an outpatient service (that’s the way they do it and they have no intention of changing it). This means that instead of the $15 copay, you are billed your annual deductible (up to $250). But beyond the $250, all future visits are 100% covered. This also means that if you had even only a routine exam, you pay whatever it normally costs if you didn’t have insurance (say $160). The next time you see a doctor for any reason, you pay only $80 and you are fully covered for the rest of the year. So if you see a doctor once or twice a year, you end up with your $160-$250 dollar bill instead of $15 you could have paid if only you went to Northwestern hospital. From what I understand, going to U of C only makes sense if you go to the doctor regularly, such as if you are pregnant or seeing a therapist.

Family Resource Center Grand opening

2010-02-04T08:50:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 10th
Campus and Student Life
invites you to the Grand Opening!

University of Chicago, Ida Noyes Hall
1212 E. 59th Street
3:30-5:00 pm (4:15 Puppet show)

RSVP: lizannep@uchicago.edu

_______________________________________
FRC Grand Opening Event:
The Family Resource Center(FRC) has moved and the grand opening in the new location, Ida Noyes Hall 1212 E. 59th Street, is scheduled for February 10th.

FRC welcomes graduate and professional student families affiliated with the University of Chicago. Their mission is to create a welcoming space where families from the university community can access resources, information, and supportive programming and services. See our website for more info: http://www.bsdpostdoc.uchicago.edu/being-childcare.shtml

5 year rule - Rifat Hasina's Experience

2010-01-25T08:54:00.000-08:00

I arrived in the US ten years ago as an immigrant postdoc with a fresh PhD in hand and lofty aspirations in my heart. There was certainty of unsurpassed opportunity of conducting state-of-the-art research at the most prestigious US institutions but I had little practical knowledge regarding prospects after postdoctoral training.

As it turned out - one could actually breeze through four or five years of postdoctoral training without having any plans for the future, and without any institutional guidance regarding the transition. I had joined a University that had neither a PDA nor a PDO and I remained blissfully clueless about my future for the better part of four years.

Things changed once I moved to the University of Chicago. I became aware of the BSD PDA through their career related seminars and postdoc only Socials. I was happy to find out for the first time that there was a group just for us! I began to get clear and directed information for career development at the seminars. It was the most helpful wakeup call I got during my postdoc years but sooner than I expected, the five-year rule of up or out was upon me, and a decision had to be made.

My PI, who had recently been awarded an R01 based on the work that I had done, offered me the staff scientist position of Research Professional Associate (RPA) but declined to consider me for a Research Associate (Assistant Professor) position. It was the most viable option for me at the time and I gladly took it. But I did feel I got caught unprepared at the time of transition. The RPA position is a highly coveted permanent staff position (as long as the PI is funded) and it offers good benefits, plenty of autonomy. What it lacks is two crucial elements, no promotions over years of service and, no opportunity to apply for grants as PI or even as co-PI, the only sure path to becoming an independent scientist. The RPA position can lose its charm when you turn 45 and everyone around you has either moved up or gone into something else, and you start to feel like a glorified super postdoc, reliably chugging along in the lab of your PI.

So after five years as postdoc and two years as staff scientist, I decided, after many conversations with friends, colleagues, mentors, fellow postdocs and career development counselors, to explore my options.

I took classes. I got diplomas. I consulted for a Biotech company. I attended professional development workshops and visited career fairs. There are many avenues open to PhDs – Faculty in academia, staff scientist in Biotech companies, medical writer, consultant, patents specialists and in management – seemingly numerous choices. What I most wanted to do was be a scientist in an academic setting. I preferred not to move outside Chicago because of family ties.

To remain in academia, one of the best options available to me was to apply for a faculty position in a supportive role, such as the RA (Assistant Professor) position. I had published two significant papers during the previous two years, but my PI had not allowed me the option to apply for grants. This lack of independent funding made me less competitive for a tenure-track faculty position. I believe that if I had been a citizen or even a resident alien during the previous years, some of these barriers would not have existed or even been more smoothly overcome.

All the networking advice I’d gotten from the workshops was put to the test. I contacted my professional colleagues and collaborators and requested them to network on my behalf. Fortunately, one of these very people was actually searching for a candidate with background similar to mine to take over the management of his expanding laboratory in addition to conducting leading research. He confirmed the position of the Research Associate (Assistant Professor) would be a faculty position with some limitations. My role would be to support his research interests as well as develop my own goals and projects, essentially splitting my time to meet individual and the group’s interest. I would apply for grants as PI or co-PI and after 3-5 years would be eligible to be promoted to Associate Professor depending on performance and productivity. As the co-director of the lab, I would have additional responsibilities of managing the lab and all employees. Benefits included college tuition, retirement contribution and time off, in addition to health and dental insurance.

I felt this was an excellent opportunity for me to transition into a position with greater responsibility, career building and research opportunities and a sense of personal fulfillment. After 18 months as an RA (Assistant Professor), I am now preparing to apply for NIH funding based on the work I have been doing.

5 year rule - Judy Cannon's experience

2009-11-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

My experience of the postdoctoral fellow/scholar to research associate/assistant professor transition. Judy Cannon, Research Associate/Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine

After 5 years as a postdoctoral fellow, I became a Research Associate/Assistant professor. To stay at the University of Chicago, there are several options available to postdocs after the 5 years of “postdoctoral” status ends. If there is a tenure-track position open, a postdoc could apply, go through the process of being selected for an interview, interview, then receive a job offer and become an assistant professor on the tenure track at the University of Chicago. Very few postdocs I know who stay on go through this process.

Instead, most postdocs take either a non-tenure track faculty position or a research staff position. Research Associate/Assistant professor is the non-tenure track faculty position. To obtain this position, we started the process approximately 4-5 months before my 5 years were up. My mentor had to write a letter to the chair of the department, and it might have gone to the dean as well. The job needed to have a job description and the job description posted nationally (usually Science Jobs or the like). I obtained 3 letters of reference, one from outside the University of Chicago. I was given the impression by my mentor that the appointment is not just up to her, but had to get approved by both the department chair and the dean. The fact that I had publications from my postdoc and funding as a postdoc definitely helped to get the appointment, but I’m not sure if this is a requirement. The funding for the position is dependent on the mentor, so if the mentor cannot guarantee funding, there will be no appointment. Also, the appointment is a yearly reappointment process, much like the postdoc status. It has to be renewed each year. So, again, if your advisor loses funding, you will not be renewed. I thought I was told that there is also a minimum salary associated with the position, I wasn’t sure what it was. This may provide a disincentive for some mentors as they must pay a certain salary. Above this minimum, the salary is negotiated with the mentor.

The advantages of the research associate position is that it is a faculty position. It is non-tenure track, which means no startup funds, no space allotment, no faculty standing within the department. But, a faculty position, even non-tenure track, means that you can apply for independent funding as the PI of any grant, including young investigator grants and even R01 level grants. I know RA/APs who have received R01s. It’s harder to convince outside reviewers for funding, as those reviewing know that the RA/AP position is not truly independent, but again, it is possible. In the staff position, there is no chance to apply for funding. In addition to this, the benefits as an RA/AP are more or less the same as the faculty benefits, including health insurance, retirement, etc. With lab school enrollment preference and tuition benefits, you are considered a faculty member.

It is also possible to move up through the ranks of the RA track. The RA track, like a standard tenure track system, is up or out. It is limited in time, you can only be 6 years as an RA/Assistant Professor. At the 6 year point, you also have to apply for a promotion to RA/Associate professor. The standards for the promotion, as far as I know are similar, but less stringent, than tenure. You have to demonstrate independence, have your own reputation in the field apart from the mentor, have funding and publications. There are several people I know of in the Dept of Medicine who are RA/Associate Professors and even RA/Professors. I’m not sure how common it is, but they are there. Some still work with a tenured faculty member, one is more or less independent.

2009 BSD Postdoctoral Association Survey Now Available

2009-11-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

The 2009 BSD Postdoctoral Survey is available online starting today and will run through November 20th. This survey is designed by the BSD-PDA for the postdoctoral community. The information collected will facilitate the identification of postdoctoral issues and better equip the BSD PDA to advocate substantive policy changes for postdocs. Previous surveys have helped identify discrepancies in postdoctoral compensations, leading to administrative policy changes. Thus, your feedback is crucial for making future changes happen.

Your answers to the questions as well as any comments you make throughout the survey are completely anonymous, so feel free to be as honest and critical as you choose. We estimate that
completion of this survey will take 10 minutes on average. Upon completion of the survey, you may choose to be entered into a drawing with a chance to win one of two gift certificates to the University Bookstore.

To take part in the BSD-PDA survey 2009,
please click on the link below or visit the BSD PDA website - http://www.bsdpostdoc.uchicago.edu

Click Here to take survey

We thank you for your helpful comments and suggestions, and we
look forward to better serving you.

Pictures from Postdoc Reception Day online!

2009-10-08T08:29:00.001-07:00

Check out pictures from the First Annual Postdoc Appreciation Day reception held two weeks ago! You can find the pictures on our Picasa account: http://picasaweb.google.com/bsdpostdoc/PostdocAppreciationDayReception#

Thanks to all of you who came out to support this inaugural celebration of the contributions of postdocs to advancing scientific research. Be sure and join us for our weekly Friday seminar series.

Info for Parents and Expectant Parents at the University of Chicago

2009-09-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

The Postdoctoral Association has authored this page with useful information for postdocs who are expecting a child. It offers information generally applicable to postdoctoral fellows and scholars at the University of Chicago. As each individual's situation is unique, it is strongly recommended that you direct specific questions to your faculty sponsor, departmental administrator or the office of the dean.

Welcome to our new blog!

2009-09-17T13:48:00.001-07:00

Thanks for checking out this blog, created by the Steering Committee of the University of Chicago BSD Postdoctoral Association. This blog is an informal space to talk about issues and events of concern to the postdoc community at the UofC. Look for more posts in the future. Until then, we invite you to attend our seminar series and other fun events, all of which can be found at our home page.