COUNCIL OF POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS
MISSION
To address the distinct needs of postdoctoral researchers in academic institutions
Postdoctoral employment has become a key step in progression towards an academic career. However, there is little organizational recognition or support in academic institutions for postdoctoral programs. The Council of Postdoctoral Scholars aims to address this by bringing standardization to these programs. We aim to bring systematic and organizational backing for postdoctoral researchers as opposed to the currently individual faculty level support they have.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Key objectives of the CPS strategy towards attaining the mission are listed below.
Collect statistics across institutions on the current trends in postdoctoral programs: Number of new faculty that were postdocs, age/years of appointment / diversity / sex / wages / nationality of postdoctoral scholars, number of postdocs / department/research group/university.
Identify and lobby key policy makers to evolve postdoctoral programs to reflect their increasing importance and duration in academic research and teaching careers. Raise awareness among university administrators about the evolution of postdoctoral programs into a regular and essential part of academic training, and the need for standardization.
Create a newsletter to regularly disseminate information and opinions of relevance to policy makers and postdoctoral scholars. Information may include workshop/job announcements, statistics on the disparities of postdoctoral benefits, faculty education etc.
Build a financial base to fund activities specifically aimed at postdoctoral scholars. Suggest charging a fee for every postdoctoral appointment to be used to finance career services, workshops, postdoctoral administration etc.
SHORT TERM GOALS (in 12-24 months)
· Meet at UCOP and invite key people for discussions and increasing awareness.
· Bring out a newsletter to be distributed across campuses and UCOP
· Initiate discussions on funding postdoctoral associations at different campuses
· Hold seminars of interest to postdoctoral career advancement.
LONG TERM GOALS
· Turn into a lobby group for post-doc affairs
· Gain a required presence in administrative decisions affecting postdocs - hiring of senior staff, budgeting, policy decisions etc.
· Standardize the postdoctoral experience across all disciplines and universities and be the 'go to' group to define the standards.