This year we are gathering virtually for a spooktacular evening full of scary (and fun!) surprises. Meet new postdocs in a spooky setting and show off your best Halloween Zoom background. Share your spookiest story and join in on some Halloween online group games. There will also be a costume contest with prizes for the winners!
This is an inclusive event, so friends/roommates/partners/pets/Halloween-loving kids/… are welcome!
Costumes are encouraged but not required to attend.
Bored of your home office? Need a break? Do you want to connect with other postdocs from SFU and UBC and discuss topics that are relevant to you while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea? Then come and join us for our upcoming virtual SFU-UBC PDA coffee socials this fall. Kids/pets/partners/friends are welcome!!
Join us every Tuesday from 2-3pm starting next week, October 13: Register Here!
Our discussion topics will include:
– International Postdocs (Oct 13, 2-3 pm): Are you an international postdoc? Do you have questions about immigration or funding or are you struggling with being far away from friends and family during these difficult times? Do you just want to connect with other newcomers to Canada? – We got you covered! This session will be joined by a certified immigration consultant.
– Postdocs with kids (Oct 20, 2-3 pm): We can all agree that postdocs with kids are facing some special challenges, especially during the pandemic. Postdoc parents, this is your place to chat about child care, work/life balance, working from home… and to meet other postdocs with kids to make new connections!
– New to Vancouver (Oct 27, 2-3 pm): Are you new to Vancouver? Maybe moved here during the pandemic?? Meet other postdocs to make new connections and to exchange ideas about what to explore in Vancouver!
– Coping with COVID-19 – What keeps you happy? (Nov 3, 2-3 pm): COVID-19 isn’t going away soon – what are your tips and strategies for coping with the new stresses brought on by a global pandemic? Exchange stories, worries and ideas and establish some new connections. We can all use some good socialising these days, especially during the gloomy months of fall.
Register Here! We will send out registration confirmation e-mails with zoom links closer to the date.
Ice Cream Social
It’s Postdoc Appreciation Week and the UBC PDA is celebrating YOU by giving away free ice cream. Enjoy the last days of summer with ice cream and cold drinks while safely meeting up with other postdocs!
**Due to heavy rain and strong winds in the forecast, we have postponed this event to next week.
(Updated) When – Tuesday, Sept 29 at 3:00 pm
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)
A note on Safety Precautions:
We are taking safety very seriously and as such we will be following several safety measures. We will be capping the registration at 30 people and during the event we will be enforcing social distancing of 2 meters. We will be providing hand sanitizer and will be encouraging masks to be worn unless you are eating (we will provide masks as needed). The ice cream provided will be individually wrapped. As the pandemic is always evolving, we will be monitoring the situation and may cancel the event if needed.
_________________________________________
Virtual Trivia Night with SFU Postdocs
The UBC and SFU PDA are teaming up for an epic Trivia Night. Join us for a fun evening and connect with other postdocs from SFU and UBC to test your knowledge!
Prizes for the winning team and runner up!
When – Friday, Sept 25 at 6 pm
Where – at home, via zoom
You are invited to bring your partner/roommates/friends along, but let us know how many people are participating, as we will be forming teams.
We will e-mail a zoom link to all participants who have successfully signed up closer to the date. Register fast as spots are limited!
We are excited to welcome back in-person socials with a socially distanced Picnic in the Park. Bring your own blanket and food for a lovely evening outside meeting up with other postdocs!
When: Thursday, August 27 at 4pm
Where: Trimble Park (exact location within the park will be provided upon registration)
This is an inclusive event, so please feel free to bring your partner/children/friends. Just please let us know how many guests will be joining as we will be limiting the number of participants in order to adhere to social distancing and safety measures.
A note on Safety Precautions:
We are taking safety very seriously and as such we will be following several safety measures. We will be capping the registration at 30 people and during the event we will be enforcing social distancing of 2 meters. We will be providing hand sanitizer and will be encouraging masks to be worn (we will provide them as needed). There will be individually packaged soda/water available but there will be no sharing of food at this event, so please bring your own snacks/dinner. As the pandemic is always evolving, we will be monitoring the situation and may cancel the event if needed.
Register Here! We are looking forward to seeing you in-person for a fun and safe August social!
GrasPods is organizing an online panel event on the best ways to transition from wet-lab to dry-lab:
In the current COVID-19 pandemic, many scientists are looking into dry lab research, including exploring big data and bioinformatics methods. In this panel discussion and Q&A session, our invited guests will talk about the best approaches in transitioning from wet to dry lab work, including project considerations, funding, and employment opportunities.
And more!
We are excited to announce that we are transitioning our social events to online platforms! First virtual meet-up: Trivia Night!
So grab your favorite snacks and drinks while teaming up with other postdocs to answer fun trivia questions and socialize! There will be prizes (vouchers for local restaurants) for the winning team and runner-up!
Housemates and partners are welcome, but please let us know how many people will be joining so that we can form teams with the same number of people.
When? Tuesday, April 28th at 7pm
Where? Join from the comfort of your own home. We will send you a confirmation e-mail with the Zoom meeting ID and password after you have successfully registered!
Spots are limited, so be sure to sign-up early before it fills up!
Register here: https://bit.ly/pdatrivia
This is a joint event by us and the SFU PDA.
When? Feb 25, 11:30 am – 1 pm
Where? This webinar will be broadcast at
MSL (Michael Smith Laboratories) Room 237
(https://tinyurl.com/MSLRoom237)
Register now to secure your spot!
Light snacks will be provided!
Topics of the webinar include
The webinar is facilitated by Justine Salam. Justine is a Professional Skills Program Specialist at the University of Waterloo where she guides graduate students to assess their skills, identify their talents and interests, and succeed in their post-graduate work transition, both in academic and non-academic careers. She also coaches students one-on-one to better their resumes, CVs, cover letters and enhance their interview skills.
Justine Salam
Join us for a night out of bowling on Commercial Drive!
When?
Either the evenings of Wed Feb 19th, or Thurs Feb 20th. You decide!
Where?
Grandview Lanes on Commercial Dr.
https://www.grandviewbowling.com/home.html
Make sure your register by Friday, February 14th to reserve your spot on the lanes!
We will subsidize this event ($100 total)!
Contact ubc.postdoc@gmail.com or Ryan (rsweeney@chem.ubc.ca) if you have any questions about this event.
Make sure to register quickly to reserve your spot: bit.ly/2Uz06T8
The annual UBC PDA Whistler Weekend is an opportunity to meet some fellow UBC postdocs and enjoy a weekend in Whistler. This trip usually sees postdocs taking part in outdoor winter activities (skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing) and relaxing in Whistler village (day spas, restaurants, bars). Sign up quickly as we only have a few beds booked at the accommodation. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Dates: Friday April 3rd – Sunday April 5th, 2020
Cost: The total cost of Friday and Saturday night’s accommodation will be $120 per person, to be paid upon arrival. Additional costs will include transport, activities, and food/drinks.
Sign up and more information: https://bit.ly/37Znc9i
Join us for our Career Networking Night
This is a joint event by us and the SFU PDA.
Date: 10th March 2020, 5pm-7:30pm
SFU Segal Building, 500 Granville Street, Vancouver
This is an excellent opportunity to connect with a variety of companies and employers in an informal setting. Discover the opportunities available outside academia, and what employers are looking for!
The event will be held in the Segal Building (SFU downtown) from 5:30-7:30 pm (brief highlight presentations from our sponsors start at 5:30 pm), with light refreshments and a cash bar.
Of Note: As this is a networking & informal interview setting, we STRONGLY recommend business casual dress.
Representatives will be joining us from:
– Zymeworks
– New England Biosciences
– Amgen
– Mitacs
– 1QBit
– Fortinet
– The Government of Canada
– ABM
– Oceanwise
– 1QBit
– Aspect Biosystems
– Fortinet
– Genome BC
– SCWIST
– Special Projects and Strategic Initiative UBC
– Willow Biosciences
– more to be announced!
This event is free for all postdocs!
We will release more event details and will update this blog post closer to the date.
Hurry and register now! There are only a limited amount of spots available!
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions!
We are thankful for the support by our sponsors and exhibitors:
