The AMS MT is currently attempting to establish an AMS Mentorship Program for PhD candidates and Early Career Researchers (post-docs). The idea is to provide every researcher at AMS with the opportunity to get guidance and mentorship from a more senior member who is not directly affiliated with their project. The mentor provides guidance that is different to that given by the supervisor on issues such as career guidance, stress and time management, work/life balance, setting priorities, networking and visibility, funding opportunities, etc. For the mentor, this is an opportunity to get acquainted with issues that are most likely also affecting their own researchers and to get in contact with talented individuals outside their close network.

We are also collecting ideas from existing, external mentorship programs, but believe that offering the program within AMS will bring like-minded researchers together and help strengthen the internal structure of the institute.

 While the details of the program are yet to be established, the current plan is:

• Mentors include professors, senior researchers, early career researchers, other academic staff and 4th year PhD candidates.
• Mentees include PhDs and early career researchers.Interested mentors and mentees sign up for the program and follow a short course (probably online) explaining the program, their role and the expectations as mentee or mentorAfter completing the course, mentees and mentors are matched based on their affiliations, career stage and interests.
• Mentee initiates the first contact with the mentor and provides a clear set of questions to the mentor that he/she would like to discuss during a face to face meeting.
• Mentee and mentor meet and establish a personal work plan (e.g. 4-5 meetings spread over 10 months, or meetings as required)

 Please let us know whether you are interested in the program with the following information:

• Career stage: PhD (which year?) / Early Career Researcher (post-doc) / senior researchers / academic staff / professor?
• Would you like to serve as mentee / mentor / both mentee and mentor
• Divisions(s): VUmc / AMC / VU / FGB / ACTA / HvA?

Any comments or ideas on the program are welcome!  
Send your mail to: ams@vu.nl by September 9, 2019.

The VvBN PhD Day will be organized on November 29, 2019. The scientific program includes oral and poster presentations of PhD candidates (please submit your abstract before September 15), a keynote by prof. dr. Bert Otten on forensic human movement sciences, a workshop by prof. dr. Casper Albers on data visualization, a workshop by dr. Matthias Kempe on big data and machine learning, and a workshop by dr. Roel van der Heijden on the Alettta Jacobs School of Public Health. More information about the program will be announced on social media; Stay tuned! Facebook: VvBN PhDdag; Twitter: @DayVvbn.

Course on Scientific Integrity

The next course on scientific integrity on offer from ACTA is scheduled on October 18 and November 1, 2019. The course is in English, and both sessions last approximately 4 hours, plus an interactive learning part. There is a maximum number of 20 participants. If you should want to sign up, you can register as AMS Member  by sending a mail to onderzoekinstituut@acta.nl The course price for AMS members is €200. NOTE: Always consult with your supervisor before making a financial commitment!

Grant Application Course
PhDs and postdocs who want to pursue an academic career might want to follow the Grant Application Course at the Science Park in Amsterdam. Here PhDs and postdocs can enhance their academic career prospects by improving their grant writing skills. Since the success of their academic career in nearly every stage is highly dependent on their success in applying for grants, grant writing is an essential skill to learn for aspiring academics. Scientists are often extensively trained in writing scientific articles, however there are substantial differences between writing articles and writing grant applications. The course will take place January 16-17, 2020. Click here for more information. Note: Always consult with your supervisor before making a financial commitment!

REMINDER: Affiliation Use for Amsterdam Movement Sciences
We kindly ask all members of Amsterdam Movement Sciences research institute and employees of the partner faculties (ACTA, AMC, VUmc, FGB and Science) to use the correct affiliations when publishing or in connection with other public appearances. This will improve our awareness and name recognition in all scientific and societal endeavors. Use the following link for correct affiliation use for all publications and other output. For more information click here.