UniversityofSouthAlabama
OfficeofPostdoctoralEducation
Handbook
OfficeofPostdoctoralEducation
307NorthUniversityBlvd.,AdministrationBldg.301
Mobile,AL36688
(251)460-6310/fax(251)460-6575
http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/postdoctoraleducation/
TABLEOFCONTENTS
WelcometotheUSAOfficeofPostdoctoralEducation………………………………………………………..3
AnOverviewofthePostdoctoralExperienceatUSA………………………………………………………4
PostdoctoralFellowsPolicies………………………………………………………………………………………….5
AppointmentInformation……………………………………………………………………………………………….5
Visas/J-1Exchange…………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
DurationofAppointment…………………………………………………………………………………………7
ResignationorTermination……………………………………………………………………………………..7
Orientation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7
CompensationandBenefits……………………………………………………………………………………..8
On-the-jobInjuryBenefits……………………………………………………………………………………….8
ResearchRecordsandIntellectualProperty………………………………………………………………………..10
ObligationsofPostdoctoralFellows………………………………………………………………………………10
ObligationsofFacultyMentors………………………………………………………………………………………………10
AnnualEvaluations……………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
Grievance/ConflictResolution………………………………………………………………………………………11
PostdoctoralFellowsAssociation………………………………………………………………………………….12
CareerDevelopmentOpportunities………………………………………………………………………………13
ResponsibleConductofResearchSeminars…………………………………………………………..13
GettingSettledLocally………………………………………………………………………………………………….15
Directory……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17
ImportantWebsites………………………………………………………………………………………………………18
2
WelcometotheUSAOfficeofPostdoctoralEducation
TheUniversityofSouthAlabama(“USA”)isdedicatedtomakingadifferenceintheglobaland
localcommunitiesthroughdiscovery,healthandlearning.Postdoctoralresearchisconsidered
essentialtoachievingthatgoalandtoadvancingthescholarlymissionofresearch.HereatUSA,
ourpostdoctoralfellowsaretrainingandperformingresearchinavarietyofdisciplines,
includingcancer/medicalresearch,marinesciences,pulmonarymedicine,pharmacology,
microbiology,chemistry,andbiochemistry.
TheUSAOfficeofPostdoctoralEducation(OPE)wasestablishedandannouncedattheMarch
12,2014BoardofTrustees’meeting.ThepurposeoftheOPEistoprovideservicesandsupport
toallPostdoctoralFellowsthroughouttheUniversity.Itworkscloselywithallcollegesand
disciplinestoaddresstheneedsandconcernsofpostdoctoralfellows.
ThegoaloftheOPEandPostdoctoralFellowsprogramsistobroadenandenhancethe
University’sresearchcapacitybybringingmoretalenttothecampus.Webelievethat
postdoctoraltrainingshouldalsoprovidetheindividualfellowswithmentoredadvanced
trainingtoenhancetheirprofessionalskillsandresearchindependenceneededtopursuetheir
chosencareerpath.
IfyouareconsideringapostdoctoralpositionorarealreadyapartofUSA,wewelcomeyour
suggestionsandquestions.Welookforwardtoworkingwithyou!
Sincerely,
B.KeithHarrison,Ph.D.
AssociateVicePresidentforAcademicAffairs/DeanoftheGraduateSchool
3
AnOverviewofthePostdoctoralExperienceatUSA
InresponsetotheUniversityofSouthAlabama’sgrowingnumberofpostdoctoralresearchers,
theOfficeofPostdoctoralEducationwasannouncedonMarch12,2014.Theofficeiscurrently
underthedirectionofDr.B.KeithHarrison,AssociateVicePresidentforAcademicAffairsand
DeanoftheGraduateSchool.TheUniversityviewspostdoctoralresearchasessentialto
advancingthescholarlymissionofresearch.
Allpostdoctoralresearchersholdadoctoraldegreeandareincreasingtheirexpertiseina
specialistsubject,usuallyinamentoredresearchand/orscholarlytrainingforthepurposeof
acquiringprofessionalskillsneededtopursuetheirchosencareerpath.TheOPEbelievesthat
postdoctoralstudentswillbroadenandenhancetheUniversity’sresearchcapacity.
Additionally,postdoctoralresearchwillhelpUSAachieveitsmissionofmakingadifferencein
theglobalandlocalcommunitiesthroughdiscovery,healthandlearning.
ThepurposeoftheOPEistoenrichthepostdoctoralexperiencethroughservicesandsupport
toboththefellowsandthedepartments.However,theultimateresponsibilityforthesuccess
ofapostdoctoralappointmentrestswiththeMentors.FacultyMentorswillassistthe
postdoctoralfellowindevelopingaresearchprojectwhichwillenhancethefellow’sknowledge
andtechnicalskills,encouragethefellowtopresenttheirworkandtopublishresultsinatimely
fashion,meetregularlywiththefellowtodiscussresearchprogressandprovideregular
feedbackregardingperformance.Inaddition,Mentorswillensurethatthefellowisawareof
Universitypoliciesregardingresponsibleconductofresearchandcomplianceissues,andother
relevanttopics.
B.KeithHarrison,Ph.D.,AssociateVicePresidentforAcademicAffairsandDeanofthe
GraduateSchool,(251)460-6310
kharrison@southalabama.edu
LynneChronister,M.P.A.,VicePresidentforResearchandEconomicDevelopment,
(251)460-6333
lchronister@southalabama.edu
PhysicalAddress:
USAOfficeofPostdoctoralEducation
307NorthUniversityBlvd.,AD301
Mobile,AL36688
4
PostdoctoralFellowsPolicies
OfficialUSApoliciesconcerningpostdoctoralfellowsareavailableat
http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/postdoctoraleducation/policies.html.This
documentprovidessummaryinformationrelativetomanypoliciesandotheruseful
informationforfellows.
AppointmentInformation
Allpostdoctoralappointmentsandre-appointmentsarecoordinatedthroughtheOfficeof
PostdoctoralEducation.Recordsrelativetoyourappointmentaremaintainedinthisoffice.If
youlaterneedUSAemploymentverification,inquiriesshouldbedirectedtothisoffice.
Visas/J-1Exchange
InternationalPostdoctoralFellowsatUSAaresponsoredonJ-1visas.Thesponsoring
departmentoriginatesaJ-1visarequest(DS-2019),coordinatedthroughUniversity
InternationalServices(http://www.southalabama.edu/intnatsrv/index.html).Anofferfor
trainingatUSAundertheJ-1visaprogramdoesnotimplyanycommitmenttotheFellowfor
othervisaorpermanentresidencysponsorship.
J-1ExchangeVisitorsarerequiredtohavemedicalinsuranceineffectforthemselves(J-1)and
anydependents(J-2)forthedurationoftheirprogram.Thefollowingoutlinesallthatis
requiredregardinginsurance.
RegulationsconcerninginsuranceforJ-1exchangevisitorsare:
(a)Sponsorsshallrequireeachexchangevisitortohaveinsuranceineffectwhichcoversthe
exchangevisitorforsicknessoraccidentduringtheperiodoftimethatanexchangevisitor
participatesinthesponsor'sexchangevisitorprogram.Minimumcoverageshallprovide:
(1)Medicalbenefitsofatleast$50,000peraccidentorillness;
(2)Repatriationofremainsintheamountof$7,500;
(3)Expensesassociatedwiththemedicalevacuationoftheexchangevisitortohisorherhome
countryintheamountof$10,000;and
(4)Adeductiblenottoexceed$500peraccidentorillness.
(b)Aninsurancepolicysecuredtofulfilltherequirementsofthissection:
5
(1)Mayrequireawaitingperiodforpre-existingconditionswhichisreasonableasdetermined
bycurrentindustrystandards;
(2)Mayincludeprovisionforco-insuranceunderthetermsofwhichtheexchangevisitormay
berequiredtopayupto25%ofthecoveredbenefitsperaccidentorillness;and
(3)Shallnotunreasonablyexcludecoverageforperilsinherenttotheactivitiesoftheexchange
programinwhichtheexchangevisitorparticipates.
(c)Anypolicy,plan,orcontractsecuredtofilltheaboverequirementsmust,ataminimum,be:
(1)UnderwrittenbyaninsurancecorporationhavinganA.M.Bestratingof“A-”orabove,an
InsuranceSolvencyInternational,Ltd.(ISI)ratingof“A-i”orabove,aStandard&Poor'sClaimspayingAbilityratingof“A-”orabove,aWeissResearch,Inc.ratingofB+orabove,orsuch
otherratingastheDepartmentofStatemayfromtimetotimespecify;or
(2)Backedbythefullfaithandcreditofthegovernmentoftheexchangevisitor'shome
country;or
(3)Partofahealthbenefitsprogramofferedonagroupbasistoemployeesorenrolled
studentsbyadesignatedsponsor;or
(4)OfferedthroughorunderwrittenbyafederallyqualifiedHealthMaintenanceOrganization
(HMO)oreligibleCompetitiveMedicalPlan(CMP)asdeterminedbytheHealthCareFinancing
AdministrationoftheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices.
(d)Federal,stateorlocalgovernmentagencies,statecollegesanduniversities,andpublic
communitycollegesmay,ifpermittedbylaw,self-insureanyoralloftheabove-required
insurancecoverage.
(e)Attherequestofanon-governmentalsponsorofanexchangevisitorprogram,andupona
showingthatsuchsponsorhasfundsreadilyavailableandunderitscontrolsufficienttomeet
therequirementsofthissection,theDepartmentofStatemaypermitthesponsortoself-insure
ortoacceptfullfinancialresponsibilityforsuchrequirements.
(f)TheDepartmentofState,initssolediscretion,mayconditionitsapprovalofself-insurance
ortheacceptanceoffullfinancialresponsibilitybythenon-governmentalsponsorbyrequiring
suchsponsortosecureapaymentbondinfavoroftheDepartmentofStateguaranteeingthe
sponsor'sobligationshereunder.
(g)Anaccompanyingspouseordependentofanexchangevisitorisrequiredtobecoveredby
insuranceintheamountssetforthinparagraph(a)ofthissection.Sponsorsshallinform
6
exchangevisitorsofthisrequirement,inwriting,inadvanceoftheexchangevisitor'sarrivalin
theUnitedStates.
(h)Anexchangevisitorwhowillfullyfailstomaintaintheinsurancecoveragesetforthabove
whileaparticipantinanexchangevisitorprogramorwhomakesamaterialmisrepresentation
tothesponsorconcerningsuchcoverageshallbedeemedtobeinviolationoftheseregulations
andshallbesubjecttoterminationasaparticipant.
(i)Asponsorshallterminateanexchangevisitor'sparticipationinitsprogramifthesponsor
determinesthattheexchangevisitororanyaccompanyingspouseordependentwillfullyfails
toremainincompliancewiththissection.
DurationofAppointment
Whiletheanticipateddurationofapostdoctoralappointmentistobestipulatedintheletterof
offer,itshouldbeunderstoodthatcontinuanceofPostdoctoralFellowappointmentsis
contingentuponsatisfactoryprogressandperformance,aswellascontinuedavailabilityof
funding.NotethatifindividualswillgenerallyremainasaPostdoctoralFellowatUSAforno
longerthanaperiodoffouryears.However,retentionofFellowsforafifthyearmaybe
considered,subjecttoapprovalbytherelevantChairandDeanorDirector.
ResignationorTermination
Postdoctoralfellowswhowishtoresigntheirappointmentpriortotheendofanappointment
periodshallnotifytheFacultyMentorinwriting.ItisexpectedthatthePostdoctoralFellowwill
provideatleastonemonthsnotice.AnappointmentmaybeterminatedbytheMentorpriorto
theendofanappointmentperiodifwarrantedduetospecificandcompellingfactors,requiring
thattheMentorprovideatleastthreemonthsnoticeinwriting,unlesscircumstancesare
deemedtomeritimmediatetermination,includingbutnotlimitedtocasesoffraudorresearch
misconduct.IfthePostdoctoralFellowisnolongerprovidingefforttoextramurallyfunded
sourcesthethreemonths’noticemustnotbepaidfromsponsoredfundsources. Noticesof
resignationorterminationmustbecopiedtotheOfficeofPostdoctoralEducation.
Orientation
InternationalFellows
Allinternationalfellowsandstudentsarerequiredtoparticipateinanorientationprogram
priortobeginningattheUniversity.Theprogramprovidesinformationconcerning:
• servicesavailable;
7
•
•
•
•
•
adjustmenttotheacademic,social,andculturalenvironment;
immigrationmatters;
localsightsandactivities;
healthinsurance;
safetyandsecurityprovisions.
PostdoctoralOrientation
AllpostdoctoralfellowsareconsideredemployeesoftheUniversityofSouthAlabamawith
definedbenefitsoverseenbytheOfficeofPostdoctoralEducation.Assuch,theywillbe
requiredtoattendanorientationoutliningtheirbenefitsandsigningtherequiredpaperwork.
Theorientationwillprovideinformationconcerning:
• postdoctoralservicesandsupportavailable;
• benefitsoverview;
• anintroductiontotheuniversitycampus;
• localcontactinformationforgettingsettled.
Inadditionpostdoctoralfellowsmayberequiredtoalsoattendanorientationintheir
individualorganizationalunit,suchastheMitchellCancerInstitute(MCI)ortheCollegeof
Medicine.
CompensationandBenefits
PleaseseethePostdoctoralPolicy
(http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/postdoctoraleducation/policies.html)for
informationrelativetocompensation,taxes,withholding,andbenefits.
On-the-jobInjuryBenefits(EmployeeHandbook4.1.10)
TheUniversityofSouthAlabamastrivestoprotectitsemployeesfromunduefinancialhardship
resultingfromqualifiedjob-relatedinjuriesordisabilities.InorderfortheUniversitytoassess
requestsforon-the-jobinjury(OJI)benefits,theproceduresdescribedbelowmustbefollowed:
Ifyousustainaseriousinjuryattheworksiteduringworkhours,arrangementswillbemadefor
youtobetreatedattheUSAMedicalCenterEmergencyRoom.Iftimeisoftheessence,based
ontheseverityoftheinjury,theemployeemaybetakentothenearestemergency
department.Ifyousustainaninjurythatisnotseriousenoughtowarrantemergencyroom
treatment,andyouwishtobeconsideredforOJIbenefitsbytheUniversity,youmustreportto
thehospitalhealthnurse,thehousesupervisor(afternormalbusinesshours),USAFamily
PracticeCenterorUSAPhysiciansGroup,fortreatment.
8
Asafull-timeemployee,youmayreceiveupto24hourspaidadministrativeleaveforaccidents
occurringattheworksiteduringworkhourswithoutaffectingyoursickleave,vacationorPTO
accrual.Part-timeemployeeswillbepaidadministrativeleavedaysattheregularrateofpay
forthepercentageofeighthoursthattheynormallywork.
AnAccident/IncidentReportmustbecompletedbyyoursupervisorwithin72hoursofthe
worksiteaccidentinordertobeconsideredforOJIbenefits.Forthisreason,aworksiteaccident
shouldbereportedimmediatelytoyoursupervisor.
IfyouarecoveredundertheUniversity’sgrouphealthinsuranceprogram,yourmedical
expensesduetoaqualifiedOJIwillbecovereduptothelimitsofthehealthplan.Ifyouarenot
coveredundertheUniversity’sgroupplan,pleasecontactyoursupervisororHumanResources.
Inthiscase,youwillbebilledforanymedicalservicesrendered.Medicalexpensesnotcovered
bygrouphealthinsurancemaybereimbursedbytheUniversity,uptoamaximumof$1,000.
Allclaimsforlostwages,propertydamages,and/ormedicalexpensesnotpaidbythe
University,medicalinsurance,ortheUniversity’sgrouphealthinsuranceprogrammaybefiled
byyouwiththeStateBoardofAdjustment.ApprovalbytheStateBoardofAdjustmentisbased
uponaninvestigationoftheaccidentbyUniversityofficialsandadeterminationbytheState
BoardthattheaccidentqualifiesforOJIcompensation.ClaimformsareavailableinHuman
Resources.ClaimsmustbefiledwiththeStateBoardofAdjustmentwithinoneyearofthe
incidentdate.Ifyoubelieveexpensesrelatedtotheincidentmightbeincurredbeyondone
yearfromtheincidentdate,andyouhavenotalreadyfiledaStateBoardofAdjustmentclaim,
youshouldfileaclaimwiththeStateBoardofAdjustmentindicatingtheexpensesare“tobe
determined.”ItisnottheresponsibilityoftheUniversitytoremindyouoftheoneyeartime
limitforfilingaclaimwiththeStateBoardofAdjustment.
AllbenefitspaidbytheUniversity(reinstatementofvacation,sickleave,PTOortemporary
wagereplacementpaymentsat662/3%ofbasesalary)willceasenolaterthan90days
followingthedateofinjury.Ifyourattendingphysiciananticipatesadisabilityofmorethan90
calendardays,thewaitingperiodforlong-termdisability(LTD)benefits,youmustmake
applicationforLTDbenefitsbaseduponsuchprognosis.
TheUniversitywillrequirerelevantmedicalrecordsofinjuredordisabledpartiesandmay
requireadditionalexaminationsandtestsasdeemednecessary.
9
ResearchRecordsandIntellectualProperty
Researchrecords,includingoriginalnotebooks,computerizedfilesandtangibleresearch
materials,createdbypostdoctoralfellowsduringtheirappointmentarethepropertyofthe
UniversityofSouthAlabama,andassuchareretainedbytheUniversityindepartureofthe
individual.SubjecttoapprovaloftheMentor,copiesoftherecordsmaybemadeandtakenby
thefellow.FellowsshouldbefamiliarwithandadheretotheUniversitypolicyonintellectual
property(http://www.southalabama.edu/vpresearch/policies.html).
ObligationsofPostdoctoralFellows
Duringthisperiodofresearchtraining,PostdoctoralFellowsareobligatedtoconscientiously
performresearchandscholarlywork,maintainadequateresearchrecords,andconformto
standardsforresponsibleconductofresearchsetoutbytheUniversity.PostdoctoralFellows
mustconstructandannuallyupdateanIndividualDevelopmentPlan,incollaborationwiththeir
FacultyMentor.Inaddition,PostdoctoralFellowsmustcompletecompliancetrainingas
requiredbyUSAinatimelyfashionandobserveapplicableuniversity,local,state,andfederal
guidelines,rules,policies,andlaws.
ObligationsofFacultyMentors
FacultyMentorswillassistthePostdoctoralFellowindevelopingaresearchprojectwhichwill
enhancethePostdoctoralFellow’sknowledgeandtechnicalskills,encouragethePostdoctoral
Fellowtopresenthis/herworkandtopublishresultsinatimelyfashion,meetregularlywith
thePostdoctoralFellowtodiscussresearchprogressandprovideregularconstructivefeedback
regardingperformance.Further,MentorswillworkwiththePostdoctoralFellowstodevelop
andmaintainanIndividualDevelopmentPlanandshouldreasonablyallowthePostdoctoral
FellowtimetoparticipateinavailableUniversitycareerdevelopmentopportunities.Mentors
willensurethatthePostdoctoralFellowisawareofUniversitypoliciesregardingresponsible
conductofresearchandcomplianceissues,andotherrelevanttopics.
AnnualEvaluations
MentorswillprovidePostdoctoralFellowswithawrittenevaluationofprogressand
performanceannually.TheevaluationmustbediscussedwithandsignedbythePostdoctoral
Fellow,acknowledginghis/herreceiptoftheevaluation.Acopyoftheevaluationmustbe
forwardedtotheOfficeofPostdoctoralEducation.
10
Grievances/ConflictResolution
Whenpossible,PostdoctoralFellowsshouldseektoresolveconflictsinformallyviadiscussions
withMentors,DepartmentChairs,othersenioradministrators,ortheOfficeofPostdoctoral
Education.PersonnelintheOfficeofPostdoctoralEducationareavailabletoactasmediators
forsuchinformaldiscussions.Whenissuescannotbeinformallyresolved,thefollowing
proceduresareavailable:
AcademicIssues:Forunresolvedacademicissues(e.g.,workload,authorshipconcerns,
termination),thePostdoctoralFellowmayfileaformalgrievancewiththeOfficeof
PostdoctoralEducation(OPE).PostdoctoralFellowsactingingoodfaithmaydosowithoutfear
ofpenaltyorreprisal.
• ThePostdoctoralFellowshouldfileawrittenstatementofgrievancewiththeOPE
within30daysofthelastmeetingattemptinganinformalresolutionasdescribed
above.Thestatementmustsetoutaconcisestatementoftheallegation,the
facts/evidencesupportingthecomplaint,asuggestedoutcomeforresolution,andalist
ofindividualsconsultedforinformalresolution.
• TheOPEwillsolicitaresponsefromtheindividualaboutwhichthecomplaintfiled
(“Respondent”)within5businessdays.
• TheOPEwillthenidentifythegrievancecommittee(“Committee”)of2Facultyand1
PostdoctoralFellow.TheCommitteewillbecomposedofindividualsnotinvolvedinthe
conflict.
• Within15businessdaysofCommitteeappointment,theCommitteewillmeettoreview
thegrievance,includingevidenceandtestimonyfromthePostdoctoralFellowbringing
thecomplaint,theRespondent,andthewitnessesasrequestedand/orallowedbythe
Committee.
• Inclosedsession,theCommitteeshallmakeadetermination,basedonthe
preponderanceofevidence,toacceptordenythegrievance.Ifthegrievanceis
accepted,theCommitteeshallmakearecommendationforresolution.Asummaryof
thegrievance,process,andoutcomes(nottoincludethedeliberationsofthe
Committee)shallbeforwardedtotheOPE.TheOPEwillnotifyallpartiesastothe
outcomeofthegrievanceprocess.
• AppealsmustbedirectedtotheOfficeofPostdoctoralEducationwithin5businessdays
ofthenotificationoftheoutcomeandmayonlyaddressissuesofproceduralerror.The
decisionbytheDeanofPostdoctoralEducationontheappealwillbefinalandallparties
willbenotified.
11
Forotherissuesthatcannotberesolvedinformally(seebelow),PostdoctoralFellowsshould
pursuerelevantUniversitygrievanceprocedures.
ResearchMisconduct:AllegationsofresearchmisconductshouldbepursuedthroughtheUSA
OfficeofResearchComplianceandAssurance.Policiesandinformationregardingthe
WhistleblowerHotlineareavailableat
http://www.southalabama.edu/researchcompliance/standards.html.
TitleIXIssues:Toaddress/reportworkplaceissuesofsexualharassment/violenceorsexual
discrimination,PostdoctoralFellowsshouldcontacttherelevantFacultyTitleIXcoordinator:
PostdoctoralFellowsintheHealthSciencesDivisionandtheMitchellCancerInstituteshould
contacttheHealthSciencesFacultyCoordinator,whileallothersshouldcontacttheAcademic
AffairsFacultyCoordinator.TitleIXinformationandalistofcoordinatorsareavailableat
http://www.southalabama.edu/studentaffairs/titlenine/.
OtherWorkplaceIssues:Toaddress/reportotherworkplaceissuesofharassmentor
discriminationwhicharenotofasexualnature,PostdoctoralFellowsshouldcontactUSA
HumanResources.WhilethePostdoctoralFellowmaychoosetoconsultalawyerregarding
grievance/conflictandalawyermaybepresenttoheartestimonyandobserve,lawyerswillnot
beallowedtootherwiseparticipateineithertheinformalprocessortheformalprocessofthe
University.
PostdoctoralFellowsAssociation
USAPostdoctoralFellowsmaycollectivelyassociatethroughtheUSAPostdoctoralAssociation.
Theassociationmayprovidecareerdevelopment,programmaticsupport,research
collaboration,andsocialopportunitiesforFellows.TheguidingoperatingprincipalsforaUSA
PostdoctoralAssociationwouldbebasedonthoseoftheNationalPostdoctoralAssociation
(http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/).
12
CareerDevelopmentOpportunities
ResponsibleConductofResearchSeminars
“CollaborationsandTeamScience”
Asourglobaleconomyandawarenessexpands,conductingresearchintandemwithscientists
onanationandworldwidetheaterisgainingpopularityandimportance.Appreciatingbenefits
ofsuchcorroborationisonething;wadingtheinsandoutstoinitiateandmaintainsuccessis
another.Thisseminarseeksasinintroductiontogainfamiliaritywithwaystoenhancegood
collaborativeresearch,understandinstitutionalprocessesinvolvedincollaborativeresearch,
andidentifythepitfallsthatmayoccurincollaborativeresearch,resourcesavailableto
effectivelymanagecollaborativeresearch,andwritinglargescienceproposalsthatinvolve
multipleuniversities(public/private)andacrossstatelines.
“ConflictofCommitmentandFinancialConflictofInterest”
Thisworkshopoffersinformationonthemovementwithintheacademiccommunitytowarda
consistentmannerofaddressingfinancialconflictsofinterestandconflictofcommitment,
whileraisingconsciousnessregardingthistopictoinclude:
-DefiningConflictofInterest/ConflictofCommitment;Centralpolicies/procedures
-Identifyingandmanagingconflictsofinterest;Discussionofreallifesituation
-Typesofconflictsencounteredbyresearchersandinstitutions
-Scopeofreportingresponsibilities
-Requirementsforreportingofoutsideactivities
-Casestudies
“ResponsibleAuthorshipandPublicationPractices”
Responsibleauthorship/publicationpracticesaretheactivitiesofpreparingresearchfindings
fordisseminationinamannerthatensurestheintegrityoftheresearchprocess.Thissession
willhighlight:
-Authors'awarenessofcommonmistakesanddilemmasfacedinpreparingresearchproposals
andmanuscripts.
-Provideauthorsstrategiestoavoidcommonmistakesanddilemmasinpreparingresearch
proposalsandmanuscripts.
“ResearchMisconduct”
Researchmisconductisdefinedasfabrication,falsification,orplagiarisminproposing,
performing,orreviewingresearch,orinreportingresearchresults.Theuniversityandfederal
13
requirementsforjudgmentofresearchmisconductwillbeaddressedduringtheseminar,as
wellas,discussionofcasestudiesthatdemonstratehowtoapplythedefinitionofmisconduct
toactualscenarios.
“AProperResearchRecord:HowandWhy”
Thissessionwillexploreethicalprinciplesanddecisionsrelatedtoscientificdataacquisition,
datarecordingandmanagementandretention.Thetopiccoversdefinitionsforwhat
constitutesdata,proceduresformaintainingtheconfidentialityandintegrityofdata,and
propermethodsforkeepingrecordsandprocessingandanalyzingdata.
“OwnershipofResultsinResearch”
Dataownershipreferstoboththepossessionofandresponsibilityforinformation.Thereare
manydifferentguidelinestowhichresearchersmustadherewhendeterminingownershipand
sharingoftheirdata.Thissessionwillexplorewho‘owns’dataaswellasthelegalramifications
forintellectualproperty,patentandcopyrightlaws.Ownershiprightstoincluderawdataand
resultswillbedependentuponwhoissponsoringtheresearch,asexampleswillbesharedto
illustratepossibleoutcomes.
“IntellectualPropertyandCopyrights”
TheUniversityofSouthAlabamaOfficeofTechnologyTransfer(OTT)obtainsandmanages
patents,copyrights,andtrademarksderivedfromtheUniversity’sacademicresearch
enterprise.OTTcreatesrelationshipswithindustrytodevelop,protect,transferand
commercializeintellectualpropertyresultingfromtheUniversity’sresearch.Thistopiccovers
howintellectualpropertyishandledintheacademicarena,whataPIneedstoknowabout
whattheyown,whattheycandowithitandwhatresponsibilitiesareoftheinventor.
“FinancialManagementandResponsibility”
Therearemultiplefactorswithintheregulatorylandscapethatareconcernedwiththe
managementofprojectfunding.Justaswiththeconductofresearch,thereareexternallyimposedrequirementsontheindividualresearcherandontheinstitutionrelatedtothe
managementofresearchfunds.Theobjectivesofgoodresearchmanagementaretwofold:(i)
tomakebestuseofavailablefundstoachieveresearchoutcomes(ii)toavoidproblemsof
fraud,wasteandabuseofsponsorsupport.Additionally,riskshouldbeminimizedsothat
requirementsassociatedwiththeuseoffederaldollarsdonotcreatenegativeexposureforthe
institutionanditsacademicandresearchcommunities.
14
GETTINGSTARTEDLOCALLY
TherearemanyresourcesavailabletonewpostdoctoralfellowsattheUniversityofSouth
Alabamatohelpwiththetransitionintoanewcommunityandresearchenvironment.These
resourcesincludethementor,fellowlabmembers,departmentaladministrators,International
StudentServices,andtheOfficeofPostdoctoralEducation.Alloftheseresourcesarehereto
supportyou,sopleasemakeuseofasmanyasneededtohelpeaseyourtransition.
AlabamaDriver’sLicense
FirstTimeLivingintheState:
AlabamaDepartmentofPublicSafety
3400DemetropolisRd.
Mobile,AL36693
(251)660-2330
https://dps.alabama.gov
ReturningtotheStateorRenewals:
MobileCountyLicenseCommissioner
3925MichaelBlvd.
Mobile,AL36609
(251)574-8551
www.mobilecountylc.com
Pleasenotethatthisistheprimarylocation.ChecktheLicenseCommissioner’swebsitefor
additionallocationsandhours.AllLicenseofficesareclosedonWednesday.
SocialSecurityOffice
550GovernmentSt.,Suite100
Mobile,AL36602
(866)593-1922
www.ssa.gov/pgm/reach.htm
Hours:Monday,Tuesday,Thursday,Friday9:00a.m.to3:00p.m.;
Wednesday9:00a.m.to12:00p.m.
VoterRegistration
MobileCountyBoardofRegistrars
151GovernmentSt.,Suite165
Mobile,AL36602
(251)574-8586
www.mobilecountyal.gov/government/voting.html
15
RentalHousingInformation(HousesandApartments)
Foralistofcurrenthomesandapartmentsforrent,thefollowingwebsiteliststheinformation
availableinthelocalnewspaper,theMobileRegister.Itwillalsogiveyounamesofproperty
managementcompaniesthatmaybeabletohelpyounarrowyoursearch.Mentorsandfellow
labmemberswouldalsobeagreatresourceforthispurpose.
http://realestate.al.com/Alabama/mobile-county/mobile/for-rent
16
DIRECTORY
B.KeithHarrison,Ph.D.,AssociateVicePresidentforAcademicAffairsandDeanofthe
GraduateSchool,(251)460-6310
kharrison@southalabama.edu
LynneChronister,M.P.A.,VicePresidentforResearchandEconomicDevelopment,
(251)460-6333
lchronister@southalabama.edu
NicoleSchultz,DirectoroftheOfficeofFacultyandPostdoctoralAffairs,CollegeofMedicine
(251)460-7708
nschultz@southalabama.edu
OfficeofInternationalEducation,StudyAbroadandImmigrationCoordination
(251)460-7053
intledu@southalabama.edu
visa@southalabama.edu
BrendaHinson,DirectorofInternationalAdmissionsandStudentServices
(251)460-6050
bhinson@southalabama.edu
17
IMPORTANTWEBSITES
OfficeofPostdoctoralEducation–
http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/postdoctoraleducation/
OfficeofthePresidentforResearchandEconomicDevelopment–
www.southalabama.edu/vpresearch/
USACollegeofMedicinePostdoctoral–www.usahealthsystem.com/postdoctoral-fellows
USARegulatoryComplianceforResearch–www.southalabama.edu/researchcompliance/
InternalRevenueServicePolicyonTaxabilityofFellowshipStipends–
www.irs.gov/publications/p970/index.html
NationalPostdoctoralAssociation–www.nationalpostdoc.org
FederationofAmericanSocietiesforExperimentalBiologyCareerCenter–
http://careers.faseb.org/home/index.cfm?site_id=521
ScienceCareersfromtheJournalScience–http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org
NationalInstituteofHealth(NIH)CareerResources–
http://grants.nih.gov/training/resources.htm
18