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The Yale Postdoctoral Association is dedicated to connecting Yale postdocs to campus resources and creating opportunities for networking with other postdocs.
If you have any question or would like to get involved, pop us an e-mail at ypa@yale.edu.
Regular meetings are held monthly. If you would like to become involved in the YPA, attendance at these meetings is highly recommended. The next one is on Tuesday, January 9th at 6:00 p.m in the Seminar room (Cushing Exhibition Center) of the Medical School Library.
All postdocs are welcome to attend all YPA events!
Synopsis
YPA Music Series: Yale Philharmonia Orchestra Concert
Harkness Tower & Yale Carillion Tour
Professional Development Committee
First Annual Postdoc Symposium
From the Professional Development Committee
Career Strategy Bootcamp for GSAS Students & Postdocs 2.0
Career Lab: Leveraging Your Skillset for the Non-Academic Job Search
Spotlight
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Happy 2018 to all of you. We hope that you had a truly magical holiday, and are looking forward to the new year. This issue of Spotlight is returning with an interview with Dr Andrew Hastings, the outgoing YPA chair. We would like to thank Andrew for his contributions to the YPA and wish him all the best on the next phase of his career. We will truly miss him.
We asked him some questions, and the answers he has given us are included below.
Please tell us an interesting fact about yourself
I was a swimmer in college, where I served as team captain my junior and senior year and was an 8-time NCAA Division II All-American. My best events were the 200- and 400-yard individual medley.
How long have you been active in the YPA?
I have been active in the YPA for two years and four months, since August 2015. When I started in the YPA we did not have a formalized leadership structure, but, during my time as Chair for 1 year and 8 months (started in May 2016), I was involved in instituting that structure starting in June 2016..png)
What did you enjoy the most about your time in the YPA?
My favorite part of being in the YPA has been watching people come in with a passion to work on a particular project that will help postdocs, and getting to help empower them to achieve their goals. I have also been amazed at how a diverse group of people can come together to complete initiatives that they would never be able to accomplish on their own. The YPA, as a volunteer organization, has grown immeasurably in my time as a member, and I am proud of the small part I have played in that growth.
Industry or academia? Why?
I am interested in staying in academia, because I love the flexibility and fresh ideas that constantly circulate in the academic environment, and the ability to push the envelope in my research in a creative way. I am also interested in getting involved in science policy, because I think that science needs advocates who are willing to go the extra mile to understand both sides of the political spectrum to try to bridge the divide towards greater cooperation.
What is your advice to the postdoc community?
My advice to the YPA as an organization is to never stop incorporating fresh new ideas from the postdoc community, and implementing them inside of the framework that has been established. My advice to the postdoc community is to continue to foster the spirit of cooperation and collegiality that comes with working together and listening to what others who come from different backgrounds have to say. My advice to individual postdocs is to get involved with the YPA! We need your passion and drive to make the organization and the postdoc community even stronger!
And anything else you find interesting…
I am so appreciative of my colleagues who are involved in the YPA for sacrificing their precious free time to enrich my postdoc experience and bring me out of the lab and into the warm glow of friendship and cooperation.
If you would like to feature in future issues of spotlight, or would like to share something with the postdoc community, please contact Zahra Rattray (zahra.rattray@yale.edu).
Community & Networking Events
Tea, Cookies & Crafting
Bring your own project, or learn to knit! Bring necessary materials and cookies to share. Tea will be provided.
When: Wednesday, January 17th | 6:30-8:30 PM
Where: OISS (Office of International Students and Scholars)
YPA Happy Hour
Please join us for the monthly happy hour and meet new postdocs.
Where: Mory’s
When: Friday, January 19th | 6:00-8:00 PM
RSVP: None.
ICPH Visit
The YPA is organizing a visit to the institute for the preservation of cultural heritage. Please join us on this visit. More details to follow.
When: Friday, January 26th | 4:00-6:00 PM
Where: ICPH (institute for the preservation of cultural heritage - Yale University West Campus)
RSVP: RSVP here.
YPA Music Series: Yale Philharmonic Orchestra Concert
Yale postdoctoral Association invites you to the Yale Philharmonia Orchestra concert on January 26th! Join us to enjoy Stravinsky’s spellbinding Firebird Suite (1919), Franck’s Symphony in D minor, and more! A number of Orchestra-center tickets has been reserved and will be offered to YPA 20% off ($6,50 per person). We look forward to seeing you in YPA Music Events!
When: Friday, January 26th | 7:30 PM
Where: We will meet at 7:00PM in Woolsey Hall lobby, you can pick up your tickets from Esra there. (Enter the Hall at the main entrance at 500 College St)
RSVP: RSVP here.
To purchase tickets, click here. (deadline for payment January 23rd, 3 PM)
Last Saturday at the Museum
Please join us on the first YPA last saturday at the museum event in 2018.
When: Saturday, January 27th | 12:30-1:30 PM
Where: Yale British Art Gallery
RSVP: RSVP here.
Harkness Tower & Yale Carillion Tour
The most well-known symbol of Yale University Campus, Harkness Tower, is home to the Yale Memorial Carillon which consists of 54 giant bells spreading beautiful tunes over the campus throughout the year. Join us for a tour inside the tower, watch a carillion playing, enjoy the music, and views of old campus from Harkness Tower balconies. You are welcome to bring along your friends or family members, but note that each tour participant must RSVP, as the group size is limited.
When: Sunday, January 28th | 12:15-1:00 PM
Where: We will meet outside the tower on High Street at 12:10 PM
RSVP: Register here.
Toy, Food & Book Bank
We invite you to the First Annual Postdoc Symposium to be held on Friday June 8th open to postdocs and associate research scientists from all departments.
PURPOSE: A great opportunity for professional development. Communicate your research, Explore the diversity of postdoctoral research performed at Yale, Connect with other postdocs.
FORMAT: We are opening a call for abstract submission for full length oral (~ 10 minutes), flash (2 minutes) and poster presentations. The prescribed abstract format is attached in the present email and is intended for presentation to a broad audience. There will be prizes for best oral and poster presentations. To register your attendance (and submit an abstract if you wish to present), please click on the following link;
FIRST ANNUAL POSTDOC SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION
The deadline for abstract submission is Friday 16th February.
The symposium will conclude with a social event in the evening. More details on the event to follow. If you would like to know more about the event or volunteer with symposium organization or on the day, please contact ypa@yale.edu.
YPA Recommended Events
Professional Development Committee
Career Strategy Bootcamp for GSAS Students & Postdocs 2.0
Are you looking to expand your current non-academic search? Through this session, OCS staff members will introduce you to some of the key concepts for the non-academic job search, including conducting networking to enhance your job search, preparing for employer interview, salary negotiation. RSVP required! Light breakfast (bagels, coffee) will be provided.
When: Friday, January 12th | 9:00-12:00 AM
Where: The Anlyan Center for Medical Research (TAC) N 107
RSVP: RSVP link
Boston Biotech Job Trek
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about what it’s like to work in biotech and the different functional roles open to PhDs! The primary purpose of this trip is to gain information and exposure to this potential career path. On this job trek, we will visit Jounce Therapeutics, The Broad Institute, and Neon Therapeutics. This trip will end with a networking event at the end with fellow Yale alumni. All transportation will need to be coordinated by the participant. The slots are limited to approximately 20 participants so please make sure to put thoughtful consideration in your responses.
If you have any further questions about the Job Trek please contact kevin.p.regan@yale.edu
When: Friday, January 12th
Where: Cambridge, Massachusets.
RSVP: Apply by filling out this survey.
Career Lab: Leveraging Your Skillset for the Non-Academic Job Search
Want to find out how to make your academic work sound relevant to employers in the real world? Learn various techniques for making your skills and experiences appealing in multiple components of your job application. Then, practice what you’ve learned with a group of your peers and the guidance of the McDougal Career Fellows! This series is for masters, PhD, and postdoctoral scholars currently developing their skills in the professional job search.
When: Wednesday, January 24th | 5:00-6:30 PM
Where: 55 Whitney Ave, 3rd floor
RSVP: RSVP here.