OPdA Newsletter Issue No. 8 - October 2015
Welcome to another exciting academic year!
he OPdA is delighted to be launching into its second year with a full schedule of activities. We will be hosting an exciting range f Courses, Talks and Events alongside activities from EPOC, PPD, Careers and many more. We are delighted by the response o our new starter Induction Programme and look forward to meeting many of you in the term. If you haven't signed up to an nduction Event please click here.
you're new to Cambridge or yet to visit the Postdoc Centre we are located in the Basement 16 Mill Lane - we have FREE offee and biscuits! You can also borrow books and CDs from our well-stocked library and book rooms FREE of charge.
inally, the OPDA has two new members of staff! Emma Sherlock is in charge of our Communications and Kristen Klebba who will e working with us on the Colleges Engagement Project.
We have a big agenda for the coming year - make sure you keep up to date via this newsletter!
isit our Website: www.opda.cam.ac.uk
ollow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/opdacam
Postdocs of Cambridge Society (PdOC)
he PdOC Society is your Society, run by postdocs for postdocs. This past June, PdOC held its3rd Annual General
Meeting where we revised our constitution, elected a new committee and discussed current policy issues. ou can meet the newly elected 2015-16 PdOC Society committee and find out more about PdOC on our ebsite www.pdoc.cam.ac.uk. Keep up to date about funding opportunities, College membership, conferences, networking and aining opportunities, as well as PdOC social events via our weekly newsletter. Register at www.pdoc.cam.ac.uk. If you have ny questions for the new committee please get in touch via pdoc@admin.cam.ac.uk. dOC Formal Hall at Churchill College dOC invites all postdocs and their guests to a PdOC Formal Hall at Churchill College on Wednesday 28 October. Come along to ine in the largest College Hall and meet members of the College and postdocs from across the University. Tickets cost £37.50 for 3 course meal with wine. For full details and how to buy your ticket click here. Postdoc ‘Voice’ he PdOC Society represents postdocs from all faculties, schools and departments at the University of Cambridge and Partner nstitutions. PdOC, in collaboration with the OPdA, leads the Departmental Postdoc Committee Chairs Network (DPCCN) to epresent your views and needs. The network meets once a term to focus on specific postdoc needs and make recommendations. ou can see a full list of members here. he priorities chosen for this year are: 1) support for strategic career plan and progression 2) leadership and teaching opportunities for postdocs 3) access to personal and professional development opportunities he next meeting of the DPCCN is on Thursday 22 October from 6-8pm. If you are a member of a departmental postdoc ommittee that is not currently represented, or would like to establish a new postdoctoral committee in your department please mail joy.warde@admin.cam.ac.uk. The OPdA and PdOC Society can offer you support and training to establish a new ommittee. dOC Committee www.pdoc.cam.ac.uk. ollow us on twitter @CamPostdocs.
Newcomers and Visiting Scholars (NVS)
ewcomers and Visiting Scholars have appointed a new Director - Jane Luzio, Senior Member of St Edmund’s College and wife of he former Master, Prof Paul Luzio. ane will be responsible for a programme of Talks, Events, Tours and Outings for the spouses, partners and families of cademics associated with the University, who are new to Cambridge. he first meeting will be held on the 6th October at 10.30am in The University Centre, Mill Lane, CB2 1RU for Registration and ntroduction to NVS activities. vibrant and enthusiastic group of volunteers offer a warm welcome, a place to meet others and an opportunity to join a variety of roups. Topics for the groups include; discussion, arts and craft work, reading, singing, cookery, walking and children’s activities as ell as providing informal English language classes and a chance to experience traditional Afternoon Teas. or full details please see our website.
It is an honour and a privilege to be asked to join uch an important group within Cambridge University, roviding caring support to the families from around he globe. Whether our members are here for a short
r longer period, they are always welcome." Jane Luzio
Careers Service - Postdocs and Research Staff
his term we are covering all career areas. riefing sessions and workshops include: Using LinkedIn As a PhD, Writing a Research Statement, Understanding the UK cademic Landscape, CVs for group leader and lectureship positions, CV for R&D in industry, CVs for non-research roles, lternative (non-research) career options for postdocs. ind out about these and all our events under 'What's On' ON'T FORGET we can see you for individual confidential careers appointments, including practice interviews at any stage. ust see our website for details. or more information register here.
Personal Professional Development (PPD)
Do you want to invest time in your personal and professional development but don’t know where to start? Do you recognise that professional development planning (PDP) is a key component of your career progression? you have answered yes, click here to sign up for this FREE online PDP programme.
Note: you can access this online course but remember to sign up first using the login button at the top right of the creen using your @cam email address] Once you have identified your personal and professional needs, check out what you can access for FREE through the University f Cambridge at PPD. MPORTANT NOTE: Once you select a hyperlinked course or programme, you will be taking to the bookings page. If the workshop or programme is showing as full, please click again on the name of the workshop or programme to be taken hrough to the link which allows you to put yourself on the waiting list. Please do take the time to complete this extra tep so we can anticipate and meet the needs of postdocs/research staff for our future workshops and programmes.
Entrepreneurial Postdocs of Cambridge (EPOC)
ntrepreneurial Postdocs of Cambridge (EPOC) is a new club founded by postdoctoral researchers at the University of ambridge. With support from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPdA), Judge Business School (CfEL), Cambridge Enterprise, nd other prominent partners, the club's aims are to: Create awareness of entrepreneurial opportunities Support members in their pursuit of entrepreneurial careers Foster a multidisciplinary network of entrepreneurial Postdocs within the University or more information please see EPOC website.
EPOC is delighted to announce the following events taking place this term:
Marc Warner from The ASI ab Rat to Fat Cat: My switch from Academic to Entrepreneur'
radley Hardiman from Cambridge Enterprise Commercialising your ideas as a Cambridge Post-doc: What you Need to Know'
imon H. Bittleston from Schlumberger rom Research to Engineering to Mergers & Aquisitions and Back Again'
my Weatherup from i-Teams Evaluating the Potential of an Academic Discovery: Making the Entrepreneurial Leap'
New Developments in Equipment Sharing 2015
reparing for the new academic year has seen the completion of a number of projects under the umbrella of Equipment Sharing. he database currently holds 2420 individual items of equipment available for researchers and students across Cambridge, with 0 new items added over the summer period alone. ou too can search the Facilities held by Cambridge and the Science and Engineering South (SES) Consortium, by selecting Facilities’ from the “Type” drop-down menu on the Cambridge Equipment Sharing Website or More Information, please contact the Equipment Sharing Project Manager, Dr Christopher R Wilkinson. Careers Service - Researcher Development Programme - Subscribe/Unsubscribe Postdoc Academy Series - www.opda.cam.ac.uk © 2015 Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPdA), University of Cambridge