Welcome to the UC Santa Cruz Postdocs Association webpage!

The USPA is a postdoctoral-led organization that aims to provide career training and resources to postdoctoral scholars here at UC Santa Cruz. Each year the USPA organizes a symposium, and a series of workshops to highlight postdoctoral research, provides postdocs with career planning support, and build a stronger postdoc community.  Our goal is to create a welcoming environment for new postdocs and a supportive group of peers to navigate this pivotal career stage together.

The USPA is part of the larger network of Bay Area Postdocs.

Activities of USPA include:

  • postdoc science and social hour
  • career development workshops
  • annual symposium

Check out our upcoming events and:

Latest from USPA

Job Hunting in Industry

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When: Jan 17th (Fri) 12 – 4 PM
Where: Namaste Lounge (see map)

The “Job Hunting in Industry” workshop will be presented by Bill Lindstaedt from UCSF’s Office of Career and Professional Development (one of the best STEM career training resources in the world). This workshop will give you a comprehensive understanding of the job search process in industry and help you launch a successful job search.

Postdocs, grad students and research scientists are all welcome!
Space is limited. Register now!

Lunch will be provided.

The workshop will consist of 3 segments:

1. Exploring Industry Jobs and Applying for Industry Jobs: 12-1:30 pm
How to prepare resumes and cover letters that will get you noticed; How to find information on companies and how to reach out to industry scientists who can connect you with job opportunities; How to execute three techniques that comprise a comprehensive job search.

Break 1:30-1:45

2. Succeeding in Interviews for Industry Research Positions: 1:45-3 pm
How to respond effectively to the most common questions when you interview for that first industry researcher position; How to respond to opening and closing interview scenarios, as well as tough and awkward interview questions; Tips for tailoring your job talk to an industry setting.

3. Compensation Negotiation for Industry Research Positions: 3-4 pm
How to negotiate salary and benefits when you get your first industry job offer; Which job offer components are negotiable and which ones are not; How to ask for more graciously, so that I get what I need while maintaining a positive relationship with my future employer.

We are very fortunate to have Bill Lindstaedt back out to present his strategies and advice on how to transition to a career in industry. Many postdocs and graduate students found his advice vital to their jobs searches back in 2018, and we are thrilled he is able to come back again in 2020. Hope to see you there!

Happy Hour discussions- Academic Job Application Materials

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Postdocs, grad students and staff scientists are all welcome!

TIME: NOVEMBER 1ST  (Friday) 3:00 pm- 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Sinsheimer 123

Discussion Panel

Topics we will discuss include:

  • Experiences of 5 recent hires at UCSC
  • Discussion sessions on following
    • Teaching statement
    • Diversity Statement
  • What is the process of getting hired?
  • How to prepare for the interview?

And best of all: “Happy Hour”!

Registration is required: REGISTER

 

Accelerating Science with Dr. Cori Bargmann

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Dr. Cori Bargmann, Head of Science at the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative will be giving a seminar  in Biomed 200 at 11:00 am next week Thursday August 29  on “Accelerating Science”.

After her talk, we will hold three sessions with Dr. Bargmann as well as student/postdoc speakers open to the entire UCSC community  around the following themes:

2 – 3 pm                   Session 1: Accelerating Research Training & Outreach

3:15 – 4:15 pm         Session 2: Interdisciplinary & Team Science

4:30 – 5:30pm          Session 3: Publishing, Funding, & the Future of Science

Location for discussion sessions: Biomed 300

Each discussion session will feature 30 minutes of presentation by UCSC trainees followed by 30 minutes of open discussion from the community (all are welcome to attend) about these topics.

Registration is appreciated to gauge the attendance for this event: https://forms.gle/mZABrSFCaMzzPdj9A

 

Bargmann_Lecture_2019-flyer

Grant Writing Workshop

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Material

See an updated list of resources in the Funding Opportunities and Professional Development pages.

Access through your UCSC email Google account:

Contact Carrie or David to get access to examples of NIH/NSF grants.

When: July 11th (Thursday) 9:30am-3pm
Where: Biomed 200

Register here before July 5th.

Postdocs, grad students and staff scientists are all welcome!

Instructors

David States, Biomedical Research Development Specialist, Office of Research

David has decades of experience with research funding. Currently he works with UCSC faculty on federal grant proposals, especially on biomedical research topics.

Carrie Partch, Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry Department

Carrie has extensive experience with NIH on both sides: she has received multiple R01 grants, and has sit on the review panels. She also teaches a grant-writing course.

Tentative agenda

  • 9:30am Check in
  • 9:45-10:00am Introduction
  • 10am-12pm David States: basic principles of grant writing, going over examples, how to write NSF grants
  • 12-1pm Lunch and networking
  • 1-3pm Carrie Partch: NIH funding mechanisms and review process, going over examples.

Second session

If there is interest for it, a shorter session will be organized two weeks later, on July 25th 10am-noon (Biomed 300), to give you feedback on your specific aims page. You will have the opportunity to send your specific aim page to the instructors a week before.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

– UCSC STEM Postdoc Association (USPA)