Are you a postdoctoral scholar (postdoc) at The University of Western Ontario?
If so, have you ever wondered:
• Who are the other postdocs at Western?
• Am I missing out on career/professional development opportunities or services?
• Where do I go to address concerns or issues?
• Is there an opportunity for me network and feel less isolated?
The Postdoctoral Association at Western (PAW) is devoted to answering these questions and building the postdoctoral community. As such, PAW will be holding monthly get-togethers on the last Thursday of every month.
Postdoctoral scholars are newly qualified researchers with PhD and/or MD backgrounds undergoing additional training to become independent researchers. There are two types of postdocs: Postdoctoral fellows (PDFs) are considered independent contractors, whereas postdoctoral associates (PDAs) are considered employees of the university. In either case, you fall under PAW.
There are an estimated 250-400 postdocs at Western, playing a vital role in the university’s research and development. However, there is still no centralized registration process for postdocs. It is still unclear exactly who is a postdoc, or even how many are present at Western.
Through the help of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS), postdocs are getting some recognition.
Officially formed in 2004, PAW serves as a collective voice for post-doctoral scholars. PAW provides a liaison between postdoctoral scholars and Western administration. Stephanie Dixon, PAW president, stresses it is important to note that while PAW represents the postdoctoral community, it is not involved with union disputes. She explains PAW has two primary goals this year: Build more awareness of postdocs on campus, and strengthen the postdoc community.
As part of the goal to build up the postdoc community at Western, PAWS invites all postdoctoral scholars to attend the first monthly infosocial, which is being held 3:30-5 p.m. today at Natural Sciences Centre, Room 2. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Please register for the first infosocial online at grad.uwo.ca/events/?id=23. Future infosocials will be held at the Grad Club.
Visit the organziation’s website postdocs.uwo.ca and join the mailing list.