Communicating Your Research

Part of the grAdvantage programming, this intensive four-day workshop will enhance participants’ abilities to vividly articulate their research and inspire audiences. Participants will incorporate storytelling, metaphor and gestures while practicing innovative communication of their research.  During the final day of the workshop, participants will be filmed by an expert interviewer and camera crew in a setting that resembles a professional media capture environment

Check the grAdvantage website for current schedule.

Postdoc Research Communication Symposium

Organized by Postdoctoral Association (PDA), this symposium showcases the research being conducted by postdoctoral scholars at UC San Diego, one of the premier research institutions in the world.  In addition, the postdoctoral scholars will have the opportunity to connect with your peers, faculty and industry professionals.

Research Communications Program

UC San Diego’s Research Communications program draws on scholarship in the sciences, science communication, science education, the arts and other fields to provide the guiding theoretical perspective and the practical experience that is critical to communicating effectively with a wide range of audiences, including those with questions or concerns about the methods, findings or implications of scientific research.

For more information and upcoming events, visit: https://physicalsciences.ucsd.edu/centers-outreach/research-communications/

More resources:

• Video library: https://physicalsciences.ucsd.edu/centers-outreach/research-communications/video-library.html
• Online practical guide for scientists containing tips about how they can more effectively work with their university to get the word out about their research:https://issuu.com/dennismeredith/docs/working_with_public_information_officers

“Save early, save often” is a mantra touted by many financial planning websites and experts.  Time is critical when saving for retirement or any financial goal.  According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, every 10 years you delay starting to save for retirement, you will need to save three times as much each month to catch up.

To help you get started and understand how to maximize your financial potential, the Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs has teamed up with Curo Financial Planning to offer the “Financial Education Series for Postdocs”. 

Each workshop will discuss the ways to set yourself up for financial success for that specific topic.  UCSD graduate students and family members of postdocs are welcome to attend.  Come join us to learn about the topics listed below and create a strategy for your financial future!

Most workshops will be held via Zoom unless otherwise indicated.

Please note that UCSD graduate students and family members of postdocs are also welcome to attend.

Dates and locations are subject to change.

The ability to successfully secure funding is a critical part of your postdoctoral training.  However, how does one write a competitive grant? What funding opportunities exist for postdocs? How does the submission process work? Come and learn the answers by attending the workshops of Funding Fest!  

Funding Fest is an annual series of informational workshops that is held each Spring or Summer and provided by the Torrey Pines Training Consortium. The Torrey Pines Training Consortium members include Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP), The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and UC San Diego. They sponsor training courses and programs designed to provide career development and leadership competencies for scientific professionals at early stages of their career.

Funding Fest workshops are presented by various faculty members, postdoctoral training grant and fellowship recipients and institutional offices.

Workshops will be held at the different Torrey Pines Training Consortium institutions.

View workshops and register at https://tptc.wordpress.com/funding-fest/

Through the Office of Education, Training, and International Services (OETIS), Sanford Burnham Prebys (SBP) emphasizes its commitment to educating and training the next generation of scientists. The mission of OETIS is to establish SBP as an unparalleled institution for innovative graduate education and postdoctoral training.

Coffee Connection

Connect with your fellow UCSD postdocs and members of the UCSD Postdoctoral Association (PDA) for informal conversations over coffee and pastries at our monthly Postdoc Coffee Connection!  

Coffee connection events are held on the 4th floor of the Student Services Center (SSC) outside of the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) office. Feel free to drop in anytime on the monthly event date between 10 am and 11:30 am to grab a drink or have a conversation. 

Postdocs can submit their RSVPs this month's coffee connection event at bit.ly/PDCoffeeConnect.  To view dates for coffee connection events, please see our online event calendar.

Becoming a Resilient Postdoc Series

 Navigating career planning, research environments, and the stress of life can seem overwhelming and lead us to doubt ourselves just when we need confidence the most. The goal of this series is to help you develop the resilience you need to navigate challenging situations in research, work, and life.  Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/brps2024.

Wellness Wednesdays

Stop by the Cross-Cultural Center on Wednesdays from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm for some wellness tips!

U.S. Job Search Strategies for International PhDs

This workshop is designed in collaboration with Career Center, Graduate Division, International Faculty & Scholar Office and Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs to provide international pre- and postdoctoral scholars with the tools they need to successfully navigate a job search for non-academic long-term employment in the U.S.A.  Concerns that are common among the international population will be addressed including visa limitations, networking and interviewing process.

Permanent Residency Pathways for Postdocs

This workshop offered by the International Faculty & Scholar Office and Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs will touch on the most common pathways that postdoctoral researchers can use to adjust to permanent residency status. Additionally, this workshop will address the topic of internal policies on employment-based permanent residency here at UC San Diego, and the specific appointment titles that allow such sponsorship.

Visit International Faculty & Scholar Office for current schedule.

Navigating Visa Classifications for your Career

Teamwork and Leadership certificate

Part of the GrAdvantage programming, this UC San Diego Extension Specialized Certificate in Leadership and Teamwork is designed to equip participants with skills to help them excel in any working environment; communication skills, self-awareness, time management, and the ability to function on diverse and collaborative teams. The certificate consists of three courses focusing on leadership, teamwork, and project management. Throughout the program, students will implement these skills by working collaboratively on teams to manage hands-on projects on campus. The culmination of the program will include a showcase of the students’ projects to campus leaders, industry guests, and the general public. Upon completion of the certificate program, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will be empowered to transition into their career pursuits.

For more information about the certificate program, call 858-534-9151 or email drhammon@ucsd.edu.

For more information about the Gradvantage programs and resources, visit: gradlife.ucsd.edu. Plus, check out the Gradvantage program featured on KPBS and featured on the UC San Diego Extension blog.

Leading Yourself and Others to Career Success

This Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) leadership development program is designed for advanced graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to learn more about their leadership styles and preferences, so they can use this information in the context of their career paths to help them and their future teams succeed. Certificates will be awarded to participants who complete all program requirements.

Postdoc Teaching Program

Teaching experience is vital for career development, yet can be difficult to come by as a postdoc. This pilot program is designed to provide postdoctoral fellows substantive experiences in teaching and learning where they can implement evidence-based strategies while guest lecturing in UC San Diego courses.
For more information: See the Postdoc Teaching Program Flyer or contact Kate McCulloch (k1mcculloch@ucsd.edu).

Teaching Workshops 

The Teaching and Learning Commons offers quarterly workshops for Graduate Student & Postdoc Educators. See schedule of upcoming workshops at Graduate Student & Postdoc Teaching Workshops.  Space for these workshops is limited, so register early to secure your spot!  

Ambassador Program

In collaboration with the UC San Diego International Faculty & Scholar Office, the Postdoctoral Association offers assistance with the transition of a new postdoc to campus through our Ambassador Program. The program places a new postdoc in contact with a fellow postdoc “Ambassador”.

Summer Research Scholar Program

In partnership with Prof. Elizabeth Komives and UCSD Extension, this mentorship program allows postdoctoral scholars to have hands-on mentorship of high school students from across the country over 3-weeks in the summer quarter.  The postdoctoral scholars will learn how to provide effective mentorship and guide a short-term and manageable research project that will culminate in a formal poster session.

Career Preparation Series

It is not enough to know what you want to do, you need the skills and knowledge for how you will find and land the job that you want.  From developing and utilizing your professional network, to conducting an productive job search, to putting together effective application materials, to interviewing and negotiating, this series will help you learn tips and techniques to successfully advance to the next stage in your career.

NEW: Self-Paced Online Academic Job Market Workshop Series

We recently converted our Academic Job Market Workshop Series into online, self-paced learning modules. Each workshop will entail a combination of videos and optional worksheets and exploration exercises. You can engage with these resources at a time, place, and pace that’s right for you. We will resume offering in-person sessions of these programs next year. 

The online Academic Job Market Workshop Series include workshops on:

• Preparing for the Academic Job Market

• Research Statements

• Teaching Statements

• Diversity Statements

• Academic Cover Letters

View the workshop modules here: https://writinghub.ucsd.edu/for-grad-students/job-market-resources.html

Garnett-Powers & Associates (PSBP Insurance Broker) - (800) 254-1758

International Faculty & Scholar Office (International Center) - ischolars@ucsd.edu; (858) 534-3730

Payroll

• Anne Winterton awinterton@ucsd.edu, (858) 822-1185
• Paul Rodriguez prodriguez@ucsd.edu, (858) 534-3241

Research Ethics

• Mary Devereaux, mdevereaux@ucsd.edu , (858) 822-5764
• Michael Kalichman, kalichman@ucsd.edu,  (858) 822-2027

UC Learning Center - Registration system and catalog of training available to postdocs

UCSD Extension - Postdocs are eligible for  a 10 percent discount, up to $50 per quarter, on eligible courses to eligible students at UC San Diego Extension.

UCSD Whistleblower Hotline - (877) 319-0265

Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination - (858) 534-8298; ophd@ucsd.edu

Office of the Ombuds - (858) 534-0777

Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) - (858) 534-5523

Lactation Accommodation at UCSD

UCSD Early Childhood Education Center

Garnett-Powers & Associates Wellness Programs

For more information about benefits and services for UC San Diego postdocs, visit: https://postdoc.ucsd.edu/postdocs/benefits-services.html