Events

UBC PDA AGM & nominations for the 2022-2023 Executive Team!

AGM, Events, Socials

UBC Postdoctoral Association Annual General Meeting on March 10th, 2022 – 5:30pm-8pm

Register here!

All UBC postdocs and research associates are encouraged to attend the virtual UBC PDA AGM on March 10th for the elections.
At the AGM we will review the year 2021-2022, talk about PDA operations and elect officers for the 2022-2023 term. Importantly, there will be the opportunity for attendees to learn more about the PDA and to network with other postdocs .

The PDA is run by Elected Volunteer Officers (the President and 6 Vice-Presidents). All 7 positions will be elected for the 2022-2023 year at the AGM. A list of open positions and a description of their roles as well as how to submit a nomination can be found below.

You want to join the PDA, but are not ready to become an elected officer? No problem! We are always looking for new members to help us organize our events and provide new ideas! Just get in touch with us via e-mail and get a feel for what we do by joining our next meeting.

Why you should join the UBC PDA:
– Represent the postdoc community
– Gain leadership and management experience
– Organize professional development, research and networking events
– Interact with big-name academics, advocates, and UBC leadership

How to submit a nomination
To indicate your interest in running for an officer position, please first fill out the registration form (to receive the zoom link). Then download a copy of the nomination form, which can be found here, and e-mail us (ubc.postdoc@gmail.com) your nomination form, as well as a recent headshot and a short (100-200 word) statement of why you are interested in running for the position and what your goals for that position are. (For technical reasons, please download a copy of the registration form and e-mail it to us rather than filling it out immediately after opening).

Officer positions
All Officer positions are open for election. Interested PDA members are also welcome to join the PDA executive as non-elected Committee Members at this (or any other) time. See below for more info on the available positions:

  • President
  • VP Operations
  • VP External
  • VP Communications
  • VP Social
  • VP Finance
  • VP Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Committee Members (non-elected)

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The UBC PDA President shall:

Act as the public face of the PDA to:

  1. Speak on behalf of the PDA at the Postdoctoral Fellows Office’s orientation for new postdocs and wherever appropriate
  2. Understand the needs of PDA members and ensure equal representation across departments

Be responsible for meetings of the PDA Executive members to:

  1. Set up regular PDA meetings (via doodle poll) and arrange virtual meetings/ a suitable venue on or off campus
  2. Chair and set the agenda for meetings
  3. Ensure proper operation of the meetings
  4. Take minutes at meetings, or designate a member to do so
  5. Manage copies of the minutes, agendas, and any other materials

Be responsible for the execution of decisions by the PDA Executives

Lead the Annual General Meeting and PDA Elections

Work together with the VP-Communications to:

  1. Direct content for communication to members of the UBC postdoc community
  2. Manage and update the website
  3. Respond to emails
  4. Direct the advertisement of PDA events.

Work together with the VP-External to:

  1. Collaborate and communicate with the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars
  2. Raise awareness of postdoctoral issues and find avenues of support
  3. Organize career-focused events for postdocs

Work together with the VP-Social to create a calendar of social events and ensure a broad outreach.

Work together with the VP-Operations to:

  1. Liaise effectively with the UBC Postdoctoral Fellows Office and Dean’s Office
  2. Represent the PDA during meetings with UBC faculty, staff and administrators
  3. Coordinate the Executive Members of the PDA
  4. Organize the annual Postdoc Research Day

Work together with the VP-Finance to:

  1. Ensure responsible stewardship over the annual budget when planning events
  2. Be aware of revenue outflow and inflow

Work together with the VP-External and all elected and non-elected PDA executive members to ensure that the PDA’s advocacy agenda is driven forward and communicated to the appropriate representatives of the UBC administration. The advocacy/ outreach includes (but is not limited to) an Equity, Diversity & Inclusion agenda, as well as a discussion about working conditions for postdocs and concerns that postdocs face

**President and/or VP-External may have the opportunity to attend the annual CAPA/CAPS Meeting or the CSPC meeting. Currently, the President is the postdoctoral representative on a UBC wide EDI committee that is running till 2022.

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The UBC PDA VP-Operations shall:

  1. Organize professional development activities for postdocs together with the VP-External, President and the whole executive team.
  2. The VP-Operations is in the lead of organizing non-social UBC PDA events for postdocs (such as the annual Postdoc Research Day), with the help of the executive team.
  3. Attend and participate in meetings of the PDA executive members
  4. Assist in all PDA executive members plan and ensure smooth running of the organization
  5. Assist the President and VP-Communications in answering e-mails and updating the PDA’s website
  6. Perform duties of the President, in the event of absence or illness of the President
  7. Work with the President, VP-External and VP-Communications to identify and collect job postings of interest for postdocs

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The UBC PDA VP-External shall:

  1. Raise the voice of UBC postdoctoral fellows at regional and national platforms through participation and dialogues with the Canadian Association for Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS-ACSP)
  2. Build and promote alliance with various BC industrial sectors to create opportunities for researchers outside academia. The VP-External is in the lead of organizing career-focused events for postdocs (such as Career Networking Events), with the help of the executive team.
  3. Work closely together with the SFU (Simon Fraser University) PDA and other trainee-led organizations in the Vancouver area, as well as the UBC Okanagan PDA, to organize joint events and facilitate networking
  4. Work with CAPS-ACSP to create and sustain dialogue with legislators to acknowledge the role of postdoctoral fellows and research associates to Canadian economy
  5. Address or raise awareness for issues relevant to postdoctoral fellows and research associates
  6. Work with the UBC PDA executive team and liaise with its partners
  7. Work with the President, VP-Operations and VP-Communications to identify and collect job postings of interest for postdocs

**President and/or VP-External may have the opportunity to attend the annual CAPA/CAPS Meeting or the CSPC meeting.

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The UBC PDA VP-Communications shall:

  1. Be responsible for the development of the communication strategy
  2. Manage communication activities that promote, enhance, and protect the PDA’s brand reputation, including running the PDA’s social media accounts, slack community and website
  3. Assist the President and VP-Operations in replying to e-mails
  4. Responsible for curating and disseminating news items relevant to UBC postdocs in the form of a monthly PDA newsletter, with the help of the President
  5. The VP-Communications is in the lead of organizing the annual 3 Minute Postdoc Slam, with the help of the executive team
  6. Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities, and prepare presentations and other supporting material as needed during events
  7. Promote events
  8. Support the communications needs of the PDA and the Postdoctoral Fellows Office
  9. Work with the President, VP-Operations and VP-External to identify and collect job postings of interest for postdocs

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The UBC PDA VP-Social shall:

  1. Attend and participate in the three PDFO orientations each year, during which the VP Social shall advertise the PDA to the new postdocs and deliver a short presentation about “Getting to know Vancouver”
  2. Lead the planning, advertising and execution of social and networking events for postdocs, including
    1. Regular social events (around 1/month) for the postdoc community (virtual or in-person)
    2. The annual Whistler trip (organize to/from Whistler and reserve accommodation at the UBC lodge or a hostel of choice)
    3. Organize the Holiday party (venue reservation and run games e.g. “white elephant”)
  3. Work with the VP Finance and President to set a budget for the monthly social events

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The UBC PDA VP-Finance shall:

  1. Draft an annual budget for submission to UBC
  2. Oversee correct use and spending of the UBC PDA budget and liaise with the Postdoctoral Fellows Office
  3. Maintain up-to-date records pertaining to PDA finances
  4. Be responsible for liasing with the PDA’s banking institution and preparing cheques for reimbursements
  5. Help organize events (3-Minute Postdoc Slam, Postdoctoral Research Day, seminars in general)
  6. Arrange for an annual audit of the PDA finances at the end of the fiscal year

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The UBC PDA VP-Equity, Diversity and Inclusion shall:

  1. Call EDI subcommittee meetings
  2. Set agenda for the EDI subcomittee meetings
  3. Be responsible for the distribution of resources (via Slack, Twitter, Newsletter) in collaboration with VP Communications
  4. Relay EDI information from CAPS (Canada Association of Postdoctoral Scholars) and work with CAPS on a national level
  5. Oversee and take the lead in planning of EDI-related events

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All elected officers are expected to attend the majority of monthly PDA executive meetings, as well as a monthly meeting with the Postdoctoral Fellows Office (PDFO) to report about the PDA’s operations and discuss issues relevant to the PDA and postdoc community at UBC. Also, elected officers are expected to help organize the PDA’s events (3-Minute Postdoc Slam, Postdoctoral Research Day, seminars in general).

________________

Executive Committee Members:

These are volunteer, non-elected positions which are open to all postdocs and Research Associates affiliated with UBC. The Executive committee members assist in the planning, organization and execution of various PDA events and help the PDA advocate on behalf of postdocs at UBC, and may also aid in aspects of the PDFO orientation as needed. They serve as valued helpers and members of the team. We are always looking for new non-elected executive members and would be happy to welcome you to our team. Do you want to join the executive team? Just write us an e-mail!

________________

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

National Postdoc Appreciation Week!

Events, Professional Development, Socials

Sign up for our events here!

More information below the posters!

Yoga session

When: Thursday September 23rd, 2021 – noon-1pm PDT (in person)
Where: UBC Vancouver campus, 2207 Main Mall (In front of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science department (https://goo.gl/maps/A7pDfA2LCGy1STFk8). There is a big tent located on the south part of Earth, Ocean department right next to the Main Mall in front of the Beaty Biodiversity Museum.
If you can’t find us, Please email and Mina will guide you to the location.
*in case of rain, the yoga session will move indoors
Sign up here

Seminar by the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars

Title: The Role of CAPS in Invigorating the Canadian Postdoc Community
When: Thursday September 23rd, 2021 – 2pm-3pm PDT (Zoom)
Sign up here

Happy hour

When: Thursday September 23rd, 2021 – 4pm PDT (in person)
Where: Gallery Patio & Lounge, 6133 University Blvd, 4th floor
*Free appetizers!
Sign up here

Free breakfast & Coffee

When: Friday September 24th, 2021 – 8am – 10am PDT (in person)
Where: MacInnes Field (Astroturf behind Browns Craft House UBC)
Sign up here

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Don’t forget to check out the events organized by:

– The Postdoctoral Fellows Office: https://www.postdocs.ubc.ca/professional-development-events

– Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars:

Ice Cream and Soda Social

Events, Socials

Registration cap at 60 people, so register now here!

To celebrate summer, we’re organizing an ice cream and soda social!

When: August 13th, 1:30pm*
*in case of heavy rainfall, the event will be postponed

Where: The lawn on Main Mall, in front of the Biodiversity Museum (look out for the group of people with coolers full of ice cream)

Come and enjoy the warm summer days with ice cream and refreshing beverages, while safely meeting up with other postdocs!!

Register here!

3 Minute Postdoc Slam!

3MPS, Events, Professional Development

The PDA is excited to announce that our popular 3 Minute Postdoc Slam is returning on August 12th from 2-5pm PDT. Register here!

Want to practise your elevator pitch? You’re in the right place!
Registration deadline to present: August 3rd at 4pm PDT.

Want to learn how to effectively communicate your science? Come learn from the experts (keynote speakers).

No deadline to sign up, but registration is required to attend the event and receive the Zoom link.

More information in the flyer and below.

Please share with your colleagues and friends! Everyone is welcome to attend the event*.
*only UBC Postdocs and Research Associates are allowed to participate in the Slam competition.



What?
Our annual 3 Minute Postdoc Slam is a science communication and professional development event. It is a great chance to learn more about the diverse research being done by UBC Postdocs and RAs. In addition, we have two amazing keynote speakers lined up (Drs. Parshati Patel and Jonathan Kellogg) who will share their expertise on public engagement. Whether you are interested in sharing your academic research or communicating science with the public, social media is an ideal tool with many benefits. In her talk, Dr. Patel will walk you through different platforms while discussing the best practices and engagement strategies for each of them.

For UBC Postdocs and RAs, this is a great opportunity to showcase your work and practise your elevator pitch. You will have 3 minutes and 1 static slide to describe your research to a general audience, and have a chance to win cash prizes!

When and Where?
Tune in on Zoom August 12th from 2:00pm – 5:00pm to compete in or attend our annual slam competition and to hear from two science communication experts. Those that register will receive an email with a Zoom meeting link.

Sounds great. How do I sign up?
Please register if you want to attend and submit your title and a 1-2 sentence description of your project if you want to present. We encourage postdocs from all scientific fields to sign up.

Everyone is Welcome to Attend! Although the competition is open to UBC Postdocs and Research Associates only, we also invite Graduate and Undergraduate students to join us, so tell everyone!
If you have any questions or comments, please send us an email!

Tentative schedule:
3MPS_Tentative Schedule

Postdoc Seminar by Dr. Md. Zabir Hasan on August 10th

Events, Professional Development, Seminar Series

By popular request, the PDA is starting a Postdoc Seminar Series! Do you want to practice your presentation skills? Are you looking for a chance to share your latest results? Are you interested in communicating your research to a non-expert audience of postdocs across all UBC disciplines?

Sign up as a speaker for the new Postdoc Seminar Series! If selected, we will contact you to set up a date and time for your seminar. All you need to do is prepare a 30-40 minute presentation about your research geared toward a general audience, and we will take care of the rest!

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Postdoc Seminar by Dr. Md. Zabir Hasan on August 10th at 12:00 pm

Join us on Tuesday, August 10th at 12:00pm for a presentation by Dr. Md. Zabir Hasan: Assessing the productivity of health workforce using innovative methods

Abstract: A simple indicator of technical efficiency, such as productivity of health workers, measured using routine health facility data, can be a practical approach that can inform initiatives to improve efficiency in low and middle-income countries. We have developed a proof of concept of using routine information from primary healthcare (PHC) facilities to measure health workers’ productivity and its application in three regions of Ethiopia.

Meet the Speaker: Zabir is a trained physician and currently working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Population and Public Health at UBC. In this position, he provides analytical support to several international research projects focusing on primary healthcare integration, performance, and system strengthening. He holds an Associate position in the Department of International Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH). Zabir completed his Ph.D. program from the JHSPH and his MPH from James P. Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), BRAC University. Zabir also worked as the Country Measurement Analyst for the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative at the World Bank. Before starting his doctoral program, he worked as a Senior Research Associate at JPGSPH, where he designed and implemented several research projects on financial risk protection and Universal Health Coverage.

As an attendee, you will have a chance to win a $10 coffee shop gift card! (randomly drawn at the end of the seminar)

Register to attend and receive the Zoom link for upcoming seminars: bit.ly/PostdocSeminar
If you want to register as a future speaker, please sign up here: bit.ly/PostdocSpeaker

In person Yoga sessions

Events
For those who are interested in attending yoga sessions in person! The PDA is organizing yoga sessions every Monday at 5 pm on the UBC campus. All Postdocs are welcome!
Sign up here!

Location:
The sessions are on the UBC Vancouver campus, 2207 Main Mall (In front of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science department (https://goo.gl/maps/A7pDfA2LCGy1STFk8). There is a big tent located on the south part of Earth, Ocean department right next to the Main Mall in front of the Beaty Biodiversity Museum.
If you can’t find us, Please email and Mina will guide you to the location.

Time:
The yoga session are on Mondays at 5 pm.

Cost:
The yoga session is funded by participant’s donations in cash minimum of 5 CAD (Optional). 10% of the donations go to the “BEYOND The Conversation”, which is a Canadian registered grassroots for-impact society established in 2016 with the goal of ending social isolation in local neighbourhoods and beyond.

Notes:

  • If you don’t have a yoga mat, just bring a towel or blanket, not a problem at all!
  • Never done yoga before- that’s OK, open to all levels!
  • Questions/concerns keeping you from joining? please send us a message.
  • Please fill out the form to sign up here to add you to the Yoga event mailing list or email.
  • For those who are also interested in attending yoga sessions online, there are online yoga sessions organized by “Beyond the Conversation” (https://beyondtheconversation.ca/) every Sunday at 11am. https://meet.google.com/qxz-zufb-xec?authuser=0

Postdoc Seminar by Dr. Kevin Kung on July 14th

Events, Professional Development, Seminar Series

By popular request, the PDA is starting a Postdoc Seminar Series! Do you want to practice your presentation skills? Are you looking for a chance to share your latest results? Are you interested in communicating your research to a non-expert audience of postdocs across all UBC disciplines?

Sign up as a speaker for the new Postdoc Seminar Series! If selected, we will contact you to set up a date and time for your seminar. All you need to do is prepare a 30-40 minute presentation about your research geared toward a general audience, and we will take care of the rest!

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Postdoc Seminar by Dr. Kevin Kung on July 14th at 12:00 pm

Join us on Wednesday, July 14th at 12:00pm for a presentation by Dr. Kevin Kung.

Trash to cash: Turning crop and forest residues into higher-value products
Abstract: Biomass (crop and forest residues) is often not regarded as “sexy” as other forms of renewable production such as solar and wind, given the inherent complexities of feedstock handling and logistics. Even a thorough techno-economic analysis that looks attractive on paper can quickly derail when implemented in the field. I will begin this talk by describing two anecdotes of biomass installations gone awry. Then I will summarize how that has informed my own research as well as the future vision.

Meet the Speaker: Kevin received his Ph.D. in the field of Biofuels and Renewable Energy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2017). Currently, in addition to being a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at UBC, Kevin serves as the Chief Technology Officer of Takachar, a start-up company spun out of his MIT research. Takachar’s mission is to dramatically increase the amount of crop and forest residues economically converted into useful biofuels and bioproducts in rural underserved communities, whether in India or California. Prior to founding Takachar, Kevin co-founded a biochar company (Safi Organics) in Kenya and scaled it to 15 full-time employees, 5,000 customers, and financial profitability.

As an attendee, you will have a chance to win a $10 coffee shop gift card! (randomly drawn at the end of the seminar)

Join us for his seminar and learn more about Kevin and his research!!
Wednesday, July 14th at 12:00pm online. Register to attend and receive the Zoom link.

Postdoc Seminar by Dr. Marcus Johns on June 18th

Events, Professional Development, Seminar Series

Postdoc Seminar by Dr. Marcus Johns on June 18th at 12:00 pm

Join us on Friday June 18th at 12:00pm for a presentation by Dr. Marcus Johns

Applying cluster-triggered fluorescent emission to bio-based nanomaterials analysis

Abstract: Cellulose nanomaterials are ideally suited for the development of advanced functional materials due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and excellent tensile properties. However, their nanoscale dimensions make them challenging to track, especially in dynamic situations. Fluorescent dyes can overcome this but surface modification may inherently change the particle interaction with its environment. My research looks at how a recently discovered phenomenon – cluster triggered fluorescent emission – can be used to not only track these nanoparticles but also probe their physicochemical interactions. This opens new opportunities in bio-based materials analysis.

Meet the Speaker: Marcus received his PhD, which focused on the production of cellulose-based scaffolds for tissue engineering, from the University of Bath, UK. His first postdoc at the University of Bristol, UK, was spent researching cellulosic nanomaterials (CNMs), where he started to develop his research into fluorescence. He is now a Mitacs Accelerate Research Fellow in the Department of Wood Science investigating the interaction of small molecules with CNMs in collaboration with BC Research. All of his usual hobbies (acting, climbing) have been curtailed by the pandemic so he has been spending more time Geocaching and cycling.

Join us for her seminar and learn more about Marcus and his research!!

Friday, June 18th at 12:00pm online. Register to attend and receive the Zoom link.