Postdoctoral Scholars Orientation

University of California, Irvine

Hosted by the Graduate Division

Overview of Today’s Session

Welcome from Dean LeslieGraduate Resource CenterCareer CenterInternational CenterPostdoc Association (PDA)Postdoctoral Scholar PoliciesCampus ResourcesHealth and Retirement BenefitsUAW

Graduate DivisionDean Leslie

Welcome!

When I was a postdoc…

Be proactive and take control of your careersWorkshops and services provided by the GRC, PDA & Career Center

Networking and establishing professional relationships

Graduate Resource Center (GRC)

Purpose:

The GRC enriches the experiences of our graduate and postdoc communities by providing coordinated services, events, programs, information and support. The GRC also serves as a meeting place for students & postdocs to relax & interact with others, plan events, share ideas, network & develop friendly relationships.

Graduate Resource Center (GRC)

Workshop Series

- Writing Support - Funding

- Professional Development - Work-Life Balance

Writing Consultants

- Publication review - Professional Writing

- Fellowship Proposals

Resource Library

- Examples of Fellowships - Books

- Campus Services & Materials

Graduate Resource Center (GRC)

Provide professional development and career planning workshops and services

Professional development workshopsWeekly career advising with Christine KellySpecial events focusing on applying leadership principles, professional networking and more.

Graduate Resource Center (GRC)

Teaching Skill Development Series – Meets Fridays at 3:30pm

This series provides postdocs with a better understanding on 1) how to teach in academic environment, 2) alternative methods in pedagogy, 3) presents opportunities to gain teaching experience while at UCI, and 4) how to convey these experiences when applying for faculty positions.

Graduate Resource Center (GRC)Academic and Career Alternative

Job Search Workshops

•Preparing for the Academic Interview – April 9 from 3:30 – 5pm

•Transforming Your CV Into a Resume –April 22 from 12:00 – 1pm •$tart$mart Salary Negotiation Training – May 1 from 9am – 12pm

•Careers in Consulting – May 13 from 3:00 – 4:30pm

Graduate Resource Center (GRC)

Mentoring supportWorkshopsIndividualized Development Plan (IDP)

Connection to campus resources

Graduate Resource Center (GRC)

Venue for social events for postdocsPi Day with PDA

CommunicationPDAGraduate Division Calendar of EventsSocial Media – Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

The Individual Development Plan

(IDP)

“A planning process that identifies the Postdoctoral Scholar’s general individual research goals,

professional development and career objectives and can also serve as a communication tool between

postdoctoral scholars and their PIs (supervisors/faculty mentors).”

 

Individual Development Plan (IDP)

Goals: Help postdocs identify and address:

Long-term career options you wish to pursue and the necessary tools to meet these goals

Short-term needs for improving current performance

Execution of the IDP Process

Step 1 (of 4). Conduct a Self Assessment.Assess your skills, strengths and areas which need development. Formal assessment tools can be helpful.

Take a realistic look at your current abilities. This is a critical part of career planning...

Outline your long-term career objectives. Ask yourself:

 

Self Assessment: Professional Development and Core

Competencies

The self assessment comprises five general categories adapted from the National Postdoctoral Association’s Postdoctoral Core Competency Toolkit (http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/competencies).

The five categories are:1) Discipline Specific Knowledge

2) Research Skills

3) Communication Skills

4) Professionalism/leadership/management

5) Responsible Conduct in Research.

Execution of the IDP Process

Step 2 (of 4). Survey Opportunities with PI. Using the self assessment as a structure, discuss these topics with your PI to solicit feedback on:

The career opportunities and options based on those that interest you.

Do you have a complete picture of the expectations and responsibilities of the career path(s) you have identified?

Are there other options you have not considered?

Identified developmental needs and mutually beneficial means and opportunities to address these needs.

How best to prioritize your identified developmental areas and opportunities.  

Execution of the IDP Process

Step 3 (of 4). Write an IDP. The IDP maps out the general path you want to take and helps match skills and strengths to your career choices. It is a changing document, since needs and goals will almost certainly evolve over time as a postdoc. The specific objectives of a typical IDP are to:

Establish effective dates for your postdoctoral appointment.

Identify specific skills and strengths that you need to develop.

Define the approaches and mechanisms to obtain these specific skills.

Execution of the IDP Process

Step 4 (of 4). Implement Your Plan. The plan is just the beginning of the career development process and serves as the road map. Now it’s time to take action!

Revise and modify the plan as necessary. The plan is not cast in concrete; it will need to be modified as circumstances and goals change.

The challenge of implementation is to remain flexible and open to change.

Review the plan with your PI regularly. Revise the plan on the basis of these discussions.

Who can act as a Mentor

Your Principal InvestigatorEmployer/Employee Relationship

Should also serve as a Mentor

But there are other opportunities as well:Peers

Other Faculty

Networking organizations/contacts in industry

International Center

Sheila Cech, J Scholar Advisor

UCI International Center Mission Statement

The International Center promotes and facilitates international education by providing services to advance the university's mission and support the academic goals and objectives of international students, faculty, and researchers.

The International Center Staff is committed to providing quality services to comply with government regulations and promote intercultural understanding.

UCI International Population

Researchers, Faculty & Staff: 1165J-1 Scholars: 825H-1b Scholars: 214Other: 126

Students: 1,775Undergraduate: 387Graduate: 954OPT: 323EAP: 111

TAX INFORMATION SESSION

Wednesday, March 1210:00am - 12:00pmEmerald Bay A

The Tax Information Session is for our international students and scholars in order to review and provide guidelines about the US tax system. The session will emphasize the importance of tax planning.

RSVP by emailing Mia Navas (mnavas@uci.edu)

WARNING ABOUT TELEPHONE SCAM

In recent weeks, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) learned of a new telephone scam targeting USCIS applicants and petitioners.

Scammers are using a technique called ID spoofing to display a misleading or inaccurate phone number in a recipient’s Caller ID. The scammer poses as a USCIS official and requests personal

information (such as Social Security number, passport number, or A-number), identifies supposed issues in the recipient’s immigration

records, and asks for payment to correct these records.

 

If you receive a call like that, USCIS urges you to say No, thank you and hang up immediately.

 

USCIS never asks for any form of payment or personal information over the phone. Don’t give payment or personal information over the phone to

anyone who claims to be a USCIS official. In general, we encourage you to protect your personal information and not to provide details about

your immigration application in any public area.

 

If you have been a victim of this telephone scam, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission at

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/, or report it to an appropriate state authority. (Visit www.uscis.gov/avoidscams for information on

where to report scams in your state.)

 

If you have a question about your immigration record, please call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283, or make an

InfoPass appointment by visiting our website at http://infopass.uscis.gov/.

 

Questions?

THE POSTDOC ASSOCIATIONAT UC-IRVINE

(PDA)

www.pda.grad.uci.edu

Who are we? Grassroots, volunteer organization

officially recognized by UCI (2009) All Postdocs are members and are welcome to participate and contribute in

any way they see fit

Our Mission:

To develop a sense of community by fostering professional and social interactions among postdoctoral scholars throughout the institution.

To provide a forum to disseminate accurate information and address issues relevant to postdoctoral scholars other than issues covered by the union representation.

To promote a productive dialogue among postdoctoral scholars, the administration, the faculty, and industry.

To provide advice to the Dean of Graduate Studies, Office of Research and the Graduate Resource Center on postdoctoral scholar issues.

What do we do?

Professional/Career Development Teaching Experience and Skill development (Feb-Mar) Grant Writing Strategies (Mar-Jun) Non-Academic Career Paths (Jul-Aug) “Finding your first faculty position” workshop series with

Career Center and GRC (Aug-Oct)

Social Activities/Networking Happy-Hours Group Dinners Bowling Camping Hiking Wine Tasting Newport Beach Boat Parade Bonfire Lake/Deep Sea Fishing

Upcoming events

Teaching Skill Development Workshop Series (3:30-5:00pm in the GRC)3/7/2014 – Professor Panel: Preparing for

Teaching Positions, Expectations at Different Institutions of Higher Education

3/14/2014 – Course and Syllabus Design3/21/2014 – How to Write a Teaching Philosophy

and Preparing Your CV Grant-writing Workshop Series – Fridays,

4-5pm in the GRC, begins March 14th

How to find us…

Facebook – UCI Postdocs

Announcements of Upcoming events and activities (also emailed to you via Sharon)

Other Uses:○ Swapsheet (rentals, cars, furniture, etc..)○ Posting general questions to other postdocs○ Finding lab resources on campus

○ www.pda.grad.uci.edu

You remain the most vital component to the PDA’s success

Talk to us – Feedback, ideas, and critiques are always welcome.

Tom O’Sullivan            tosulliv@UCI.EDU           Co-President   Emmanuel Dotsey       edotsey@UCI.EDU         Co-President Paolo Annibale            pannibal@UCI.EDU         Board Member Sudipta Mukherjee      sudiptam@UCI.EDU       Board Member Kate Perrine                kperrine@UCI.EDU         Board Member Divya Swaminathan    dswamina@UCI.EDU      Board Member

DEMOGRAPHICSPOSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS AT UCI

331 Postdoctoral Scholars

DEMOGRAPHICSPOSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS AT UCI

331 Postdoctoral Scholars

Large International Contingent

International236 (64%)

International198 (60%)

U.S.133 (40%)

DEMOGRAPHICSPOSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS AT UCI

331 Postdoctoral Scholars

• Large International Contingent

Predominantly Male

International236 (64%)

Male201 (61%)

Female130 (39%)

DEMOGRAPHICSPOSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS AT UCI

331 Postdoctoral Scholars

• Large International Contingent

• Predominantly Male

Academically DiverseInternational236 (64%)

ORU, SRP45

BiologicalSciences

47

Engineering

25

Health Sciences82

Humanities - 1

Physical Sciences111

ICS - 5

Social Ecology1

Social Sciences12

Education2

Postdoctoral Scholar Titles

Postdoctoral Scholar – Employee (3252)Majority of postdoctoral appointmentsPostdoc functions as a University employee and is funded by extramural or discretionary funds paid through the University

Postdoctoral Scholar – Fellow (3253)Postdoc is awarded a fellowship or traineeship for postdoctoral study by an extramural agency and paid through a University account

Postdoctoral Scholar – Paid Direct (3254)Postdoc is awarded a fellowship or traineeship for postdoctoral study by an extramural agency and the agency pays the postdoc directly

Postdoctoral Scholars Policies

DefinitionHave a doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D.) or other terminal advanced degreeEngaged in temporary & defined period of work of advanced training Under the direction and supervision of faculty mentors

5 Year Limitation

Full-time appointment

Collective Bargaining Agreement

Represented by the UAW (United Automobile Workers)

Collective Bargaining AgreementTerms and Conditions of Employment

Effective August 12, 2010

http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/policies_employee_labor_relations/collective_bargaining_units/post_docs/agreement.html

Presentation at the end

Collective Bargaining Agreement Highlights

Salary/Stipend LevelsPersonal Time Off - 24 days Sick Leave - 12 days Annual ReviewTime/Effort

Campus Resources

Housing http://www.housing.uci.edu/Use UCI NetID to log in to the Anteater Housing Network listing site: www.offcampus.housing.uci.eduInquire with specific student housing communities regarding availability of spaces Seven (7) apartment communities across the street in University Town Center

Parking and Transportation http://www.parking.uci.edu/

Incentives-alternate ways to commute to work

Campus Resources

Child Care http://www.childcare.uci.edu/

Wellness Programs http://www.wellness.uci.edu/

UC Learning Center http://www.uclc.uci.edu/

SNAP/ZOT Portal http://snap.uci.eduMerge to a single UCI business portal

SNAP phase out April 30, 2014

Recreational Opportunities

Anteater Recreation Center (ARC) http://www.campusrec.uci.edu/

Anthill Pub & Grill

University Club Happy Hour (during summer only)

Discount Tickets http://www.asuci.uci.edu/tickets/

Postdoctoral Scholars Benefits Plan (PSBP)

Kwame White, Analyst

UCI HR/Benefits

HMO vs PPOHMO

• Health Maintenance Organization

• Organized System responsible for financing and delivering health care.

• Separate from Your insurance carrier

PPO• Preferred Provider

Organization• Providers contracted

with insurance carrier to provider services to members at a discounted rate.

HMO vs PPO (cont’d)HMO

• Advantages• Lower monthly premiums• Low Co-payments• No Claim forms

• Disadvantages• Limited choice of providers• Preauthorization req’d• Service area limited to 30 mi

radius of either home/work.• Emergency coverage ONLY

during travel

PPO• Advantages

• Flexibility • Nationwide and

worldwide coverage

• Disadvantages• Higher Monthly

Premiums• Premiums + “Co-

insurance”• May need to file claims

yourself• Deductible must be met

before coverage begins

Benefits/Health InsuranceGarnett-Powers & Associates-Brokers

Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits Plan (PSBP) Medical

Health Net HMO Health Net PPO

Dental Health Net DHMO Principal PPO

Vision Short-Term Disability Long-Term Disability

Optional - Postdoc pays Life and AD&D

HMO PPO

Coverage Level Postdoctoral Scholar

Postdoctoral Scholar %

ContributionPostdoctoral

ScholarPostdoctoral

Scholar % Contribution

Postdoctoral Scholar $8.50 2% $20.00 8%

Postdoctoral Scholar + Partner

$14.87 3% $40.00 7%

Postdoctoral Scholar + Child(ren)

$30.59 2% $40.00 9%

Postdoctoral Scholar Family $38.87 3% $60.00 8%

PSBP PremiumsFor 3252 employees and 3253 fellows paid through PPS:

- Premiums collected from paycheck

For 3254 paid directs:

- Garnett-Powers will directly bill postdoc for premiums

Benefits/Health InsuranceEnrollment

Period of Initial Eligibility (PIE) 31 Days from appointment start date

Open Enrollment In November Make changes to plans Add/remove dependents Effective January 1, the following year

Qualifying Event Marriage, birth, adoption PIE is 31 days from qualifying event date

SelectPlus

Paid for by UC; no-cost to Postdocs

SelectPlus is a listing service for locally based providers.• doulas• mother’s helpers• pet sitters• dog walkers• senior companions • tutors and several other types of helpful services.

You will need to register for membership to access with SelectPlus.

You will simply pay for the services of the caregivers that you hire.

Retirement Benefits

Retirement Benefits

Postdocs are NOT ELIGIBLE to participate in the UC Retirement Plan (UCRP)

However, you may be eligible to participate in the Retirement Savings Plan

403(b) and/or 457(b)

Defined Contribution Plan (DCP)

DC Plan account are automatically invested in the UC Savings Fund, You may direct contributions to any of these Core Funds or other investment optionsFidelity Investments manages DCPwww.netbenefits.com or call 1-866-682-7787

Defined Contribution Plan (DCP)

Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) is withheld from employees who are participating in the Safe Harbor plan. DCP rates are as follows:DCP at 3% rate is deducted from nonresident alien employees in 'career' status holding an F-1 or J-1 visa.DCP at 7.5% rate is deducted from employees in 'limited' status, generally defined as part-time (non-career status) employees. However, 'limited' status non-resident alien employees who hold a F-1 or J-1 visa are exempt from this deduction.

Postdoctoral Scholars ResourcesUCI Postdoctoral Scholar Website: http://www.grad.uci.edu/postdoctoral-scholars/index.html

Graduate Resource Center (GRC) http://www.grad.uci.edu/services/grc/index.html

Collective Bargaining Agreement: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/policies_employee_labor_relations/collective_bargaining_units/post_docs/agreement.html

Garnett-Powers & Associates http://garnett-powers.com/postdoc/enrollment.htm

National Postdoctoral Association Website http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/

Staff ResourcesLeigh Poirier-Ball – Director, Graduate

Resource Center (GRC)

lpoirier@uci.edu / 824-2207

Christine Kelly – Career Center

kellycm@uci.edu / 824-3502

Sheila Cech – International Scholar Advisor scech@uci.edu / 824-

4726

Sharon Metzger – Graduate Division

smetzger@uci.edu / 824-8120

Kwame White – Human Resources

whitek@uci.edu / 824-9264