First, the postdoc office is undergoing some changes. I'm excited to have the opportunity to serve as a rotator at the National Science Foundation, where I’ll be a program officer in the Division of Graduate Education. So I'll essentially be on leave for the next year, but never fear! Dr. Molly Lotz, whom many of you know already, will serve as interim director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Molly, who is Director for Research Training Initiatives in the Graduate School, has already been serving the postdoc community since she started at Stony Brook last summer. She was the creative mind behind last Fall's National Postdoc Appreciation Week activities (and those awesome mugs!) and in her day job, directs research mentor training and co-designed the recent project management workshop series, among many other things. So, needless to say, you're all in good hands.
If you have questions or need help from the postdoc office, don't hesitate to reach out to Molly by emailing postdocs@stonybrook.edu.
Second, it's tax season! Ugh. But, we have some resources to help. Check them out below.
1. There's still time to sign up now for postdoc-led career planning group
A few spots are left in the next postdoc career planning group!
Led by postdocs, for postdocs. In the PhD Career Ladder Program (PCLP), a postdoc peer leader guides you "up the ladder" of career development, allowing you to reflect on the type of career that interests you and then helping you set aside some time every other week to learn more about that career, how it might suit you, and how you can better prepare yourself.
7 steps in 7 meetings. This small group of postdocs will meet every other week on Wednesday evenings for 1.5 hours starting next week!
TO JOIN: email us at phdcareerladderprogram@stonybrook.edu
2. Managing Your Academic Online Presence Micro-Sessions
What do your connections and collaborators find when they search for you online? We all have an online presence, so curating your digital brand is an important part of connecting across your academic networks.
This series of virtual micro-learning sessions will highlight foundational elements of establishing an online academic identity, aligning that identity across platforms, engaging productively in online spaces, and creating meaningful content. Although you get the most benefit from attending the whole series, you can also attend individual sessions that meet your professional development needs.
Branding: Tuesday, March 19 | 12:30 to 1 pm Dr. Ashley Staples, Director of External Fellowships, Graduate School Register here.
Aligning: Tuesday, March 26 | 12:30 to 1 pm Dr. Molly Lotz, Director of Research Training Initiatives, Graduate School Register here.
Engaging: Tuesday, April 2 | 12:30 to 1 pm Elizabeth Ann Moon, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, Graduate School Register here.
Creating: Tuesday, April 9 | 12:30 to 1 pm Nicole Taylor Peters, Doctor of Musical Arts (Flute) student, Graduate Assistant, Graduate School Register here.
Questions: Email gradprofdev@stonybrook.edu
3. Early Career Researcher Workshop: Engage Program Officers, 4/11 12pm
4. Final Spring College Teaching Seminars: 3/20 & 4/3 3pm
CELT's College Teaching Seminar series wraps up soon for Spring!
The final two sessions focus on topics selected by participants.
Spring 2024 College Teaching Seminars
These interactive seminars on key topics in College Teaching are open to all grad students and postdocs. They will take place on the following Wednesdays from 3:00-4:30pm in Old Computer Science 2401 (Graduate School Conference Room)
3/20: Participant Choice Topic 1 (TBD, chosen by participants, co-facilitated by IRACDA Postdocs)
4/3: Participant Choice Topic 2 (TBD, chosen by participants, co-facilitated by IRACDA Postdocs)
Questions: Email Dr. Kimberly Bell at kimberly.bell@ stonybrook.edu
5. International Scholar Tax Resources
It's income tax time! This can be extra complicated for international postdocs who are considered "non-residents" for tax purposes, so here are some resources you can use.
A. Nonresident Tax Preparation Software Discount SBU has arranged discounted access to the Sprintax tax preparation software for non-resident taxes -- specifically, only for those using the Form 1040NR. Enter the discount code 5SSBU500F23 in the box on the ‘Review your order’ page.
B. Nonresident Tax Workshop, Mar 21 4:30pm VIS invites you to a workshop on nonresident taxes sponsored by Sprintax:
Nonresident Tax Workshop March 21 | 4:30 - 5:30pm | Online via Zoom RSVP Now>
C. Free Tax Preparation Help -- for anyone low-to-moderate income
A local credit union offers free tax preparation help for relatively "simple" taxes. Students from our College of Business have volunteered for this program in the past.
You can sign up for a virtual appointment after completing their form to determine your eligibility.
Start here and follow the Taxpayer link: www.lovebethpage.com/vita
1. Postdoc Academy: Succeeding as a Postdoc starts 3/18
BUx: The Postdoc Academy: Succeeding as a Postdoc
The Postdoc Academy is the first professional development online course built specifically for and created with postdocs. This course provides skill development for postdocs from orientation to their next career step. Using inclusive, active-learning approaches, participants in this course will build skills to (1) find success as a postdoc, (2) draft an actionable career plan, (3) develop resilience, and (4) work effectively in an intercultural environment.
SmartSkills monthly classes are taught The National Postdoctoral Association's SmartSkills professional development certificate program starts its 2024 program year.
SmartSkills monthly classes are taught by experts and focus on building skills critical to career and personal success. Postdocs that attend 10 out of 12 sessions live will receive a certificate of completion.
March SmartSkills:
Effective Interpersonal Communication: the Foundation for Career Success
March 26 | 3pm ET | Online via Zoom RSVP Now>
A few spots are left in the next postdoc career planning group!
What do your connections and collaborators find when they search for you online? We all have an online presence, so curating your digital brand is an important part of connecting across your academic networks. 
The 
