A murky legal atmosphere now surrounds overtime-pay regulations for postdocs

ND POSTDOC NEWSLETTERJanuary 10, 2017

In This IssueImportant ResourcesOne-on-One ConsultationsNational PostdoctoralAssociationSpotlight Jobs of the WeekPositive Productivity PointsGPS for Mind, Body & SoulPostdoc CornerCareer ServicesEvents and WorkshopsFunding OpportunitiesProfessional DevelopmentPhD Humor

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Important Resources

One-on-One Consultations

Postdoc Corner

Battle over US overtime pay rules leaves many postdocsin limbo

by Anna Nowogrodzki for http://www.nature.com/news

An ongoing fight overovertime pay ruleshas left many USpostdocs in financiallimbo. Labourregulations set totake effect on 1December wouldhave effectivelyincreased wages formany of theseresearchers, but on22 November a USfederal judge inTexas temporarilyblocked the newrules.

Some universities are proceeding with planned salary increases forpostdocs, but others have cancelled - or at least, temporarily halted -changes to researchers' pay. The uncertainty over how the legal battle willplay out is already affecting some postdocs' career and family plans.

"The injunction coming down, especially right before the holiday weekend,was really disheartening," says Colm Atkins, a postdoc at the University ofTexas Medical Branch in Galveston. His institution is cancelling the raisesit had planned to comply with the overtime rule. "I know postdocs withspouses and families that were really looking forward to having that safetynet."

Click here to read the full article.

NPA Continues to Advocate for Improved PostdoctoralSalaries

News & Press: General The National Postdoctoral Association

The announcement that a federaljudge issued an injunction to theDepartment of Labor (DOL)updates to the Fair LaborStandards Act (FLSA) raised

Do you need assistance with careerservices, finding funding, developingan IDP or have questions but don'tknow whom to ask or where to go?Click here to schedule a One-on-One consultation with ValliSarveswaran.

International Postdocs

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concerns about the status of anticipated postdoctoral salary increaseseffective December 1, 2016. Changes in the FLSA released earlier thisyear would have implemented a new $47,476 salary threshold forpostdoctoral scholars, posing multiple challenges to the researchcommunity.

In response to the DoL's request for comments to the proposed rule change,the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) recommended that the NationalInstitutes of Health (NIH) National Research Service Award (NRSA)minimum stipend be increased by approximately 5% per year to reach a$50,000 stipend within three years ($50,000 was recommended by the2014 report from the National Academy of Sciences,The PostdoctoralExperience Revisited). A phased-in approach would have allowedinstitutions time to gradually adjust to the new requirements and wouldminimize the need to reduce the postdoctoral workforce or impactpostdoctoral benefits.

Click here to read the full article.

The ND Postdoc Newsletter wants to share your research orarticle you have written with the ND Postdoc Community. Ifyou would like to submit an article for the newsletter, pleaseemail Valli Sarveswaran.

Career Services

Why You Might Love Working at a Teaching College

By James M. Lang for The Chronicle of Higher Education

A few years ago, when I wasdirecting the honors program at mycollege, I had the pleasure ofteaching a bright and talentedsophomore who wanted to pursue aPh.D. after graduation. Throughout hisjunior year, he would update me onhis studies during both informal chatsand formal meetings about hisprogress. He had his sights set ongraduate school and the academic life.Early in his senior year, I ran into him one morning and asked how hisgraduate-school plans were proceeding. They had been postponed, he said.He didn't have enough money to take the GREs in time to apply to graduateprograms for next year. I knew from previous conversations that his financialsituation was precarious. Like a third of the students on my campus, he wasa first-generation college student. His father was unemployed, and hismother earned low wages. To help make ends meet, he worked more than30 hours a week at a local store.

Click here to read the full article by Lang.

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From Doctoral Study to Administration

By Jennifer S. Furlong and Julie Miller Vick for The Chronicle of HigherEducation

For a full listing of events on the NotreDame campus for this week clickhere. back to top

Academic iNDex

A secure, easily accessible,online repository for youracademic and professionalinformationAn index of your publications,presentations, grants, workhistory, and other academicachievementsA resource for identifyingscholars eligible for specificgrant and fellowshipopportunitiesA tool to quickly createpersonalized CVs, resume,lists of publication orpresentations, and more

For more information about AcademiciNDex and how to use it, click here.

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National PostdoctoralAssociation (NPA)

The NPA is a member-drivenorganization that provides a unique,national voice for postdoctoralscholars. Since 2003, they havetaken on the ambitious agenda toenhance the quality of thepostdoctoral experience in the US.They have assumed a leadershiprole in addressing the many issuesconfronting the postdoctoralcommunity that are national in scopeand requiring action beyond the locallevel.

Jenny: For much of thehistory of the Career Talkcolumn, we've focused onfaculty careers. But in thecoming months, we aregoing to turn to a differenttopic, and explore thecareer paths and concernsof M.A.s, A.B.D.s, andPh.D.s who opt for careersin campus administration.

Julie: Let's start with thehiring process. How does it work? What application materials will you need?How is it different from a faculty search?

First, it's important to understand that, while all colleges and universitieshave similar missions, they operate in very different ways. Administrativeoffices may have come into being organically or strategically. The sameoffice - say, international programs - may report to university life at oneinstitution but to the provost at another. When you start applying for aparticular administrative position, it's wise to figure out the office's placewithin the institution because that will affect the way you write your letter andcontextualize the job.

Click here to read the full article by Furlong & Vick.

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Events and Workshops

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Prayer Service

University President Rev. John I.Jenkins, C.S.C. and thePresident's Oversight Committeeon Diversity and Inclusionrecommended in Fall 2015 that wetake time as a community onMartin Luther King Jr. Day and inthe week that follows which wehave come to call Walk the WalkWeek to both celebrate thediversity that currently exists onour campus and reflect on howmight we each take an active rolein making Notre Dame even morewelcoming and inclusive.

Date: January 16, 2017Time: 11:00 PM - 11:30PM Location: Main Building

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World on Tap

The University of Notre Dameis a sustaining member of theNPA.ND Postdocs can join the NPAfor free.Learn about the benefits of aNPA membership here.

For more information about the NPAand to become a member, click here.

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Versatile PhD - Humanities &Social Sciences

Discover interesting careerpaths as an alternative to thefaculty trackJoin a large community ofpost-academics to consultabout your situation and theversatility of your PhD, MA, orpostdoctoral appointmentRead job listings appropriatefor postdocsNetwork with successful post-academic PhDs nationwide

For more information about VersatilePhD and how to use it, click here.

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Spotlight Jobs of the Week

Engineering

Research AssistantSenior Structural AcousticEngineer

All postdocs are invited to TheWorld on Tap, a social at Rohr'sheld every first Wednesday of themonth. Free appetizers will beserved, and the first 50 attendeeswill receive a free drink ticketvalued up to $6. Please bring avalid photo ID to this event.

Date: February 1, 2017Time: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Location: Rohr's at theMorris Inn (map)

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Diversity webinar: Implicit Bias: An obstacle to achievingdiversity

The webinar, "Implicit Bias: Anobstacle to achieving diversity," willtake place on Tuesday, January 10,2017 at noon ET.

This is the second in a series ofwebinars that aim to provide diversity training to postdoctoral scholars. Thewebinars will enhance self-awareness, advocacy, and leadershipcompetencies. You will understand the challenges to achieve diversity, andhow you can contribute to solving the problem of under-representation.

Click here to register/RSVP.

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Foundations of Teaching This four-part series will introduceand develop the fundamental skills ofeffective teaching, includingcommunicating expectations,facilitating a class, grading, andteaching critical thinking skills. Thiswill give first-time and early TAs asolid foundation for successfulteaching in graduate school andbeyond.

Date: Thursdays; January 19, 26, February 2 & 9Time: 9:30 to 10:45 am

For more information and registration, click here.

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Funding Opportunties

2017-2018 Whitaker International Fellows and ScholarsProgram

Humanities

Assistant Professor - SocialScience: StrategicOrganization DesignAssistant Professor, WilliamPenn Honors Program

Business

Business Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor of Finance

Science

Research Assistant Professor,Scientific WritingAssistant, Associate, & SeniorScientist (Tenure Track) -Marine Chemistry &Geochemistry Dept

Social Science

Research Manager, CPGHealth Research Methodologist

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Positive Productivity Points

Proof That Positive Work Cultures AreMore Productive

By Emma Seppala & KimCameron for Harvard BusinessReview

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GPS for Mind, Body & Soul

Whitaker International program,an enriching opportunity for recentU.S. graduates in the field ofbiomedical engineering orbioengineering to receive a grantto fund research projects or studyprograms abroad.

Deadline: January 24, 2017

Click here to learn about Whitaker International ProgramClick here to apply for the 2017-18 Whitaker International Fellows andScholars Program back to top

L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science FellowshipProgram

The L'Oréal USA For Women inScience fellowship programawards five women postdoctoralscientists annually with grants of$60,000 each for theircontributions in Science,Technology, Engineering andMath (STEM) fields andcommitment to serving as rolemodels for younger generations.The program is the U.S.component of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in ScienceInternational Fellowships program.Celebrating its thirteenth year inthe U.S., the For Women inScience program has awarded 65postdoctoral women scientistsover $3 million in grants. Applications are open and due by February 3, 2017. The application and more information about the L'Oréal USA For Women inScience program can be found here. back to top

Fellowships in Energy Research for Postdocs

ND Energy offers competitivefellowships for undergraduate andgraduate students andpostdoctoral research associatesto conduct energy-relatedresearch at Notre Dame. Thesefellowships support newadvancements in energytechnologies, while broadeningthe educational experiences for students and postdocs receiving theseawards. If you are interested in energy-related research and would like toapply for a postdoc fellowship, please click on the appropriate link below.For Postdocs, the applications will be accepted year round.

Click here for the ND Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship Program applicationguidelines.

Scientists discover yet anotherreason to follow the Mediterranean diet

By Eliza Cracknell for MyBody+Soul

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Social Media

ND Postdoc Facebook Group

@NDPostdocs back to top

Information is also available via the Funding Opportunities Webpage withan ND Net ID and Password required. If you have questions or would likeadditional information, please contact Barbara Villarosa (574-631-4776). back to top

Professional Development

Graduate SchoolProfessionalDevelopment Programs All postdocs may takeprofessional developmentprograms from the GraduateSchool.

For more information onprogramming or to register, please click here. back to top

Data Science Fellowship Data Scientist - the sexiest job inthe 21st century, according toHarvard Business Review

The Data Incubator is an intensive 8week fellowship that preparesmasters students, PhDs, and postdocs in STEM and social science fieldsseeking industry careers as data scientists. The program is free for Fellowsand supported by sponsorships from hundreds of employers acrossmultiple industries. In response to the overwhelming interest in our earliersessions, we will be holding another fellowship.

Who Should Apply: Anyone who has already obtained a masters or PhDdegree or who is within one year of graduating with a masters or PhD iswelcome to apply. Applications from international students are welcome.Everyone else is encouraged to sign-up for a future session.

Locations: In addition to the below in-person locations, we will have aremote online session:

New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Boston, and Washington, DC.

Dates: All sections will be from 2017-03-27 to 2017-05-19.

Click here to apply and find further information

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Workshops from the Writing Center

Use Writing to Teach CriticalThinking

Want to transform your students intoactive learners, engage them insolving disciplinary problems, andfoster their critical thinking?Research shows that one of the bestways to achieve these goals is tointegrate writing assignments intoyour classes. The University WritingCenter is pleased to offerconsultations with instructors whowant help designing and integratingwriting assignments. We welcome instructors from every discipline,especially STEM subjects. Email writing@nd.edu with the subject"Teaching Consultation" to set up a meeting!

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Workshops from the Kaneb Center Are you interested in learning moreabout discipline-specific teachingand learning in the universitysetting? The university offersworkshops on university teachingand learning in various fields throughthe Kaneb Center! Consider enrollingin one of the workshops.

For workshop descriptions, click here. back to top

Workshops from theNCFDD The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity is anindependent professional development, training and mentoring community ofover 71,000 graduate students, postdocs, and faculty members. TheNCDFF is 100% dedicated to supporting academics in making successfultransitions throughout their careers. They offer on-campus workshops,professional development training, and intensive mentoring programs.

The University of Notre Dame is an institutional member of the NCFDD.Through Notre Dame's membership, ND Postdocs may claim anInstitutional Sub-account Membership at no cost and enjoy all the benefits ofa NCFDD Individual Membership. Register here to join NCFDD.

For a list of the Fall 2017 webinars, click here. back to top

Hesburgh Libraries Workshops The Hesburgh Libraries and Center forDigital Scholarship workshops are offered toall ND Postdocs. Hesburgh Libraries Workshops

Register: http://library.nd.edu/about/workshops.shtmlClick here for this week's list of workshops.

Most of the CDS workshops take place in the CDS Classroom (Room129), Hesburgh Library 1st Floor Northeast.

Multimedia and Library Technologies

Tuesday, January 31stHesburgh Library 5PM - 6PM

Who Said That? Citation Management

Tuesday, February 21st228 Coleman Morse - Learning Resource Center 5PM - 6PM

Finding and Using Images

Tuesday, March 21st228 Coleman Morse - Learning Resource Center 5PM - 6PM

CDS Workshop Information and Registration: library.nd.edu/cds/workshops

Library Workshop Calendar: nd.libcal.com/calendar/allworkshopsQuestions? cds@nd.edu

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English for Academic PurposesWorkshops The Center for the Study of Languages andCultures' English for Academic Purposes program offers workshops that areopen to all ND Postdocs. More information: https://cslc.nd.edu/programs/eap/workshops/Registration: https://gradconnect.nd.edu/portal/prof-dev-eventsQuestions? Contact Lisa Joy Oglesbee back to top

PhD Humor

Courtesy of PhD Comics

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the media, articles, and comments included in this newsletter are solely the views andexpressions of the original sources' authors and contributors, and do not necessarily represent those of the University of Notre

Dame, The Graduate School, or the Office for Postdoctoral Scholars.