The Spring semester will be starting on January 28th, and there's still time to sign up for communicating science and bioscience industry courses, as well as a number of useful upcoming professional development workshops.
Also, don't forget that our on-campus deadline for nomination for the NYAS regional Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists is on Jan 18th. Consider nominating yourself! You can't win if you don't play.
Finally, it's reporting time. Please complete the Postdoc Info Form if you haven't already!
1.Postdoc Spots Still Left in All Communicating Science Courses. Enroll today! Enrollment is now open for Postdocs interested in taking courses in communicating science for Fall semester 2018. Through this special arrangement with the Alda Center, postdocs may sign up through the Postdoc Office to take one course per semester for no credit for FREE. Space is limited, with two postdoc spots in each section of most courses. Registration is first come, first served, and they go quickly.
Postdocs new to the Alda Center should start with the core courses: JRN501: Distilling Your Message, and JRN503: Improvisation for Scientists.
ALL POSTDOC SECTIONS STILL AVAILABLE! Registration is first come, first served.
JRN501: Distilling Your Message JRN 501.01 – Mondays, Jan 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25; 5:30-8:20pm JRN 501.02 – Tuesdays, Mar 5, 12, 26, Apr 2, 9; 4:00-6:50pm
JRN503: Improvisation for Scientists JRN 503.01 – Tuesdays, Jan. 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26; 2:30-5:20pm
JRN 503.02 – Mondays, Mar 4, 11, 25, Apr 1, 8; 5:30-8:20pm
To Register: Email the Postdoc Office at postdocs@stonybrook.edu with your preferred course and section. Placement is first come, first served. All registrants are expected to attend and participate in every session.
2.New Postdoc Welcome, January 24th, 3pm
Join the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for our quarterly New Postdoc Welcome. The Welcome offers an introduction to Stony Brook to help recently arrived postdocs maximize their postdoctoral experience. All postdocs who have joined us in the past six months are particularly encouraged to attend.
Attendees will:
Discover the unique aspects of being a postdoc at SBU
Learn about resources & benefits for SBU postdocs
Meet the staff and faculty who can help you make the most of your time at Stony Brook
The Ombuds office is offering a series of workshops this semester on how to have productive workplace relationships. Many of the strategies below will be helpful for postdocs navigating their relationship with their postdoctoral supervisor, as well as for postdocs supervising students.
HAVING RESPECTFUL & EFFECTIVE CONVERSATIONS
Differences often arise from a lack of communication. We tend to focus more on our own point of view, particularly during difficult conversations. We forget to try to fully understand the other person’s perspective. This workshop is designed to: help us understand why we may avoid difficult conversations, define what a difficult conversation is and prepare for a conversation that is based on mutual respect and trust. We will review the importance of active listening skills as a foundation to effective conversations. January 8, Tuesday, 12 pm to 1:30 pm, Humanities Building., Rm. 1023 (West Campus) January 24, Thursday, 1 pm to 2 pm, Conference Rm. A, 31 Research Way (Tech Park)
COMMUNICATION TOOL KIT – I Hear You
Communication is the key to establishing and maintaining effective and meaningful relationships. If you wish to be understood, you must also seek to understand. Through discussion, exercises and videos participants will learn and practice communication techniques. January 24, Thursday, 11:45 am to 12:45 pm, Conference Rm. A, 31 Research Way (Tech Park)
CREATING A POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT – (SUPERVISORY TRAINING)
It's everyone's responsibility to support a healthy, safe and respectful community. We all play a role in the culture that we help to create each day. When incivility occurs, there are services available where we can find information and guidance without fear of retaliation. We will also discuss building a culture of respect and civility, identifying causes of incivility/bullying behaviors, and understanding the types of bullying. January 15, Tuesday, 12 pm to 2 pm, Humanities Building., Rm. 1023 (West Campus)
NEGOTIATING CONFLICT – (SUPERVISORY TRAINING)
Conflict is very common between individuals and within groups. It is a natural part of interactions with others. Knowing your conflict management style will help you develop skills to more effectively manage conflict. Discover how you scored on the Conflict Mode Inventory. Then, see how your negotiating style helps and/or hinders solutions to any conflict situation. Learn about the other conflict styles, what they have to offer and when to use them. (Conflict Mode Inventory to be completed prior to workshop). January 17, Thursday, 12 pm to 2 pm, Humanities Building., Rm. 1023 (West Campus)
TEAM BUILDING – (SUPERVISORY TRAINING)
Working with others toward a common goal can be both rewarding and at times frustrating. This workshop will cover the following topics: team development, team roles and behavior, characteristics of effective teams, and dysfunctional team behavior. It also will address the vital importance that relationships play in team communication. (Team Assessment Questionnaire to be completed prior to workshop.) January 22, Tuesday, 12 pm to 2 pm, Humanities Building, Rm. 1023 (West Campus)
4.Workshop on SBIR/STTR Research Commercialization Funding, Jan 15-16
SBIR/STTR INTENSIVE WORKSHOP – NIH FOCUSED
Tuesday, January 15, 2019 – Wednesday, January 16, 2019 (1.5 days)
Long Island High Technology Incubator
25 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook NY 11790
Hosted by the Center for Biotechnology* with support from Empire State Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR)
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, also known as America's Seed Fund, are one of the largest sources of early-stage capital for technology commercialization in the United States. Having knowledge of these programs, and how to compete for funding, is a valuable skill for those planning on working in the bioscience industry.
Learn more about applying for SBIR/STTR funding at this 1.5-day session focused on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which will cover program essentials and how to compete for funding. Full program details can be found here: http://centerforbiotechnology.org/events/sbirsttr-intensive-2019/
The Center for Biotechnology will cover the cost of the workshop, usually $60 per participant, for a limited number of postdocs to participate. Please email Kate Hutchinson (kate.hutchinson@stonybrook.edu) if you would like to attend the workshop no later than Thursday 1/10/19. Selection will be made on a first come, first served basis.
5.Seats Remain in Popular Fundamentals of the Bioscience Industry Course
A few seats are still available in this year's Fundamentals of the Bioscience Industry course. Postdocs may enroll for a fee in this very popular semester-long course that provides a comprehensive introduction to the bioscience business environment. Learn about building a business plan, working with investors, and more.
Program graduates will:
– Understand the process by which a technology becomes a product
– Work hands on with technologies to advance an invention
– Gain insight into the factors that influence corporate decision making
– Increase their marketability by expanding their education beyond the typical classroom
– Make connections with industry leaders through on going classroom interaction
– Gain access to a network of almost 400 program alumni providing career opportunities, mentoring and social interactions
FORMAT:The program is one semester long (14 weeks) and consists of two, 2½-hour classes per week, offered in two locations on Long Island at Stony Brook University and in Manhattan at Stony Brook Manhattan. View class schedule for more information on program dates and locations.
COST: $1995 for postdocs
For more information, visit fobip.org. If interested in enrolling, contact Kate Hutchinson (kate.hutchinson@stonybrook.edu)
6.Nomination Deadline for NYAS Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists on Jan 18
The New York Academy of Sciences Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists recognize postdoctoral excellence among NYC region institutions with unrestricted financial prizes for both finalists and awardees.
Stony Brook University is invited to nominate its outstanding postdocs for this award each year. Three winners will each receive $30,000 in unrestricted funds and six finalists will each receive $10,000 in unrestricted funds.
The New York American Council on Education (ACE) is hosting the Women of Color Conference on January 11th from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in Flushing, NY.
The conference was designed to educate, uplift, and inspire practitioners and students to uncover the best versions of themselves. The event features interactive workshops led by dynamic leaders in higher education from a range of backgrounds, and will touch on diversity issues and how they affect both higher education professionals and students alike. It will also highlight the accomplishments of women of color in higher education, encourage the creation of innovative ideas, and cultivate lasting relationships and connections among attendees.
Date: Friday, January 11, 2019
Time: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
(86-01 23 rd Ave, East Elmhurst, NY 11369)
Directions:
BY CAR
When using a GPS device, please enter Vaughn’s address as:
8601 23rd Ave.
East Elmhurst, NY 11369
FROM LONG ISLAND AND POINTS EAST
Grand Central Parkway – Westbound: Take LaGuardia Airport Exit 7 – 94th Street. Stay in the right lane on the long exit ramp and make a left turn onto 94th Street. Proceed to the top of the hill. Turn right on 23rd Avenue and turn right to the College at 90th Street.
For more information:
If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please visit the event website.
12.HOUSING: Room for Rent, Available mid January Not an event, per se, but I know how hard it is to find housing sometimes. See the opportunity below. -- Katy
One spacious room for rent 68 Continental Drive, Port Jefferson Station. A 4 bedroom house. The house will be shared by 3 male PhD students in physics. It has one shared bathroom, a modern kitchen with a dishwasher, a washing machine, and a drying machine. Large backyard, garage and big basement for storage.
Looking for someone to take over rent from February until end of summer. Room available from the middle of January.
Bed and desk and bookcase can be provided. Rent: $597 per month. Utilities roughly $70 a month.
Please contact Bertus Jordaan at bertus.jordaan@stonybrook.edu or 631 974 0613.
The POSTDOCket is the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) newsletter covering news items and features of interest to the postdoctoral community. The NPA welcomes member submissions for inclusion in The POSTDOCket. Please contact the POSTDOCket editor in chief, to share your story ideas.
The POSTDOCket Volume 16, Issue 12 (December 2018)
1.Help us out! Please complete the Postdoc and Research Scientist Info Form
It's SBU's annual reporting time, and I need your help! We'll be reporting on the characteristics of our postdoc population to the NSF this month. If you haven't yet completed the Postdoc and Research Scientist Info Form, could you please do so now??
The info form helps the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs track our postdoctoral population, which in turn helps us with our reporting requirements and serving our postdocs better. If you haven't completed it, could you take a few minutes and help us out?
Join the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for our quarterly New Postdoc Welcome. The Welcome offers an introduction to Stony Brook to help recently arrived postdocs maximize their postdoctoral experience. All postdocs who have joined us in the past six months are particularly encouraged to attend.
A few seats are still available in this year's Fundamentals of the Bioscience Industry course. Postdocs may enroll for a fee in this very popular semester-long course that provides a comprehensive introduction to the bioscience business environment. Learn about building a business plan, working with investors, and more. 
The New York Academy of Sciences Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists recognize postdoctoral excellence among NYC region institutions with unrestricted financial prizes for both finalists and awardees.
