Postdocs Can Take Advantage of OPA Services Now
The Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC) established the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) in January 2011. OPAs main objective is to coordinate non-research related training for postdocs and to provide opportunities to develop areas of professional development. The office strives to assist postdocs in their careers and to help improve their job satisfaction.
Postdocs are individuals with a PhD who are engaged in advanced temporary training – under mentors – to enhance the academic and professional skills they need to pursue their chosen career paths. The task of identifying and tracking postdocs continues to be an OPA priority; so far, OPA has identified 325 postdocs on the BUMC.
OPA complements the research mentors’ scientific training with other professional programming enabling BUMC postdocs to be nationally competitive independent researchers. OPA works closely with all of its constituencies including postdocs, their mentors, department chairs, directors of other postdoctoral offices in Boston, and national postdoctoral organizations to establish policies beneficial to the BUMC postdoctoral community. Currently OPA is working on creating a unified appointment process for all postdocs.
OPA Services Available Now
OPA offers centralized career and skill development workshops that postdocs can use to hone skills that will enable them to compete for academic or other careers at premier institutions, and to promote a positive view of the University as a great institution at which to train. Programming includes career skill workshops and a monthly speaker series where a panel of staff, faculty and professionals discusses relevant topics. Topics have included: work/family balance; teaching and mentoring; industry exploration; skills for successful networking; resume/CV and cover letter writing; and diverse careers in science. Future initiatives will include grant writing, lab management, and negotiating skills.
Currently OPA is preparing for the National Postdoc Appreciation Week, a celebration of the work of postdocs, as well as the efforts by faculty and staff who provide a positive environment for postdocs to succeed at the BUMC. As part of the celebration, OPA is planning an ice cream social on Talbot Green on Monday, Sept. 19 from 3 – 4:30 p.m. For more information about any of the services offered by the OPA, contact Yolanta Kovalko.