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News from the PDFO: Issue #76

September 12, 2022

Advertisement for Kickoff Breakfast and Keynote event, September 19 from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Image advertising Orientation for Postdoctoral Fellows, Tuesday, September 20 from 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Image advertising 'Tips and Tricks for Crafting Compelling Grant Applications', Wednesday, September 21, 2022 from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Image advertising Virtual Grant Support Session on Wednesday, September 22 from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM.
Image advertising "From Postdoc to PI" panel, Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM.
Image advertising "National Postdoc Appreciation Week Barbecue", Friday, September 23, 2022 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.

Win Great Prizes in Celebration of NPAW

In celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, postdocs in attendance at our in-person events will be eligible to win prizes from a variety of on- and off-campus donors. Prizes include tickets to BC Lions and Vancouver Canadians Games, tickets to Vancouver Opera's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and a one-night stay at Harrison Hot Springs Resort.

Thank you to our generous prize donors for their support of NPAW!

#UBCNPAW Photo Contest

A photo of four UBC postdocs, three male and one female, smiling.

Tell us how you’re celebrating NPAW! Share your tweets and photos from PDFO events, PDA events, or other UBC celebrations with the hashtag #UBCNPAW, and we'll share your photos in our newsletter and/or on the PDFO website and Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies social media.

You can also submit your #UBCNPAW photos to the PDFO for the chance to win one of three $25 gift cards. Complete the Qualtrics entry form to enter the contest!

Upcoming Workshops and Events

National Postdoc Appreciation Week Events

NPAW 2022: Kickoff Breakfast and Keynote - It’s Not What You Know, It’s How You Tell Them: The Power of Entertainment in Communication
Featuring keynote speaker Ivan Wanis Ruiz
Monday, September 19, 2022
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | In-Person - Ponderosa Commons Ballroom | Register

NPAW 2022: Orientation for Postdoctoral Fellows - Fall 2022
Featuring the PDFO, UBC PDA, VPRI, Benefits, and more.
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM | In-Person - Ponderosa Commons Ballroom | Register

NPAW 2022: Tips and Tricks for Crafting Compelling Grant Applications
Facilitated by Dr. Erica Machulak (Founder and Lead Facilitator, Hikma Strategies)
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Online | Register

NPAW 2022: Virtual Grant Support Session with Dr. Erica Machulak
Email postdoctoral.fellows@ubc.ca for registration after Monday, September 12
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Online | Register

NPAW 2022: From Postdoc to PI: Transitioning to a Faculty Position
Featuring a panel of former UBC Postdoctoral Fellows
Thursday, September 22, 2022
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Online | Register

NPAW 2022: National Postdoc Appreciation Week Barbecue
Registration Deadline Thursday, September 15, 2022
Friday, September 23, 2022
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | In-Person - St. John's College | Register

PDFO Workshops and Events

Winter Institute in Advanced Project Management
Facilitated by Robyn Roscoe, PMP
Monday, October 3 - Thursday, November 24, 2022
Visit the PDFO website for Full Schedule | Online | Register

Image advertising the Winter Institute in Advanced Project Management, October - November 2022.

PDA is looking for new VP Communications and VP Operations!

The logo of the UBC Postdoctoral Association (UBC PDA)

Are you interested in giving back to the Postdoctoral community while working with fun postdocs? Are you a social media enthusiast? Do you like event planning? If you thought 'yes' to any of these questions, reach out to the UBC Postdoctoral Association (PDA) via email at ubc.postdocs@gmail.com or Join the PDA on Slack and reach out!

Learn more about the UBC PDA at https://blogs.ubc.ca/ubcpda/.

Mental Health Support for Postdoctoral Fellows

Postdocs who are enrolled in benefits have access to free, confidential counselling support service through UBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). Provided by LifeWorks, the EFAP provides you and your family with the help you need to resolve a wide range of personal, work, health or life issues including relationship challenges, stress, depression, anxiety, addiction, family issues, grief and more. Services are confidential and available in multiple languages and formats, and expert information and immediate support resources are available in-person and by phone, video, web or mobile app.

The LifeWorks Care Access Centre is available 24 hours, seven days a week, at 1-866-424-0770. After phoning the toll-free confidential Access Centre, you will be connected to an Intake Counsellor who will collect information about the issue(s) you are facing and schedule services based on any requirements you may have.

For additional information about this benefit, contact Human Resources at hr.info@ubc.ca.

Immigration Support for Postdoctoral Fellows

Do you have questions or concerns related to work permits, permanent residency, or other immigration-related issues? The Housing and Relocation Services Office is here to help! This office has a team of three Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants who are available to assist postdocs and their families with the immigration process. To make an appointment, complete their Consultation Request Form and a member of their team will be in touch.

COVID-19 Updates

As UBC continues to navigate the situation regarding COVID-19, we recognize that members of our community may have questions and concerns. The PDFO has created a COVID-19-specific page on our website to share the latest news and updates related to the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on the UBC postdoctoral community.