Postdoctoral Scholars
Orientation
University of California, Irvine
Hosted by the Graduate Division
Overview of Today’s Session
Welcome from Dean Leslie
Graduate Resource Center
Career Center
International Center
Postdoc Association (PDA)
Postdoctoral Scholar Policies
Campus Resources
Health and Retirement Benefits
UAW
Graduate Division
Dean Leslie
Welcome!
When I was a postdoc…
Be proactive and take control of your careers
Workshops 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 workshops
Weekly career advising with
Christine Kelly
Special 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 support
Workshops
Individualized Development Plan (IDP)
Connection to campus resources
Graduate Resource Center (GRC)
Venue for social events for postdocs
Pi Day with PDA
Communication
PDA
Graduate Division Calendar of Events
Social 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 Investigator
Employer/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: 1165
J-1 Scholars: 825
H-1b Scholars:
Other:
126
Students:
Undergraduate: 387
Graduate:
954
OPT: 323
EAP: 111
214
1,775
TAX INFORMATION
SESSION
Wednesday, March 12
10:00am - 12:00pm
Emerald 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 1-800375-5283, or make an
InfoPass appointment by visiting our website at http://infopass.uscis.gov/.
Questions?
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 Design
 3/21/2014 – 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
Emmanuel Dotsey
Paolo Annibale
Sudipta Mukherjee
Kate Perrine
Divya Swaminathan
tosulliv@UCI.EDU
edotsey@UCI.EDU
pannibal@UCI.EDU
sudiptam@UCI.EDU
kperrine@UCI.EDU
dswamina@UCI.EDU
Co-President
Co-President
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
DEMOGRAPHICS
POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS AT UCI
331 Postdoctoral Scholars
DEMOGRAPHICS
POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS AT UCI
331 Postdoctoral Scholars
Large International Contingent
International
236 (64%)
International
198 (60%)
U.S.
133 (40%)
DEMOGRAPHICS
POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS AT UCI
331 Postdoctoral Scholars
• Large International Contingent
Predominantly Male
International
236 (64%) Female
Male
201 (61%)
130 (39%)
DEMOGRAPHICS
POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS AT UCI
331 Postdoctoral Scholars
Social Sciences
12
• Large International Contingent
• Predominantly Male
ORU, SRP
45
Academically Diverse
Education
2
Biological
Sciences
47
International
236 (64%)
Social Ecology
1
Physical Sciences
111
ICS - 5
Health Sciences
82
Humanities - 1
Postdoctoral Scholar Titles
Postdoctoral Scholar – Employee (3252)
Majority of postdoctoral appointments
Postdoc 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
Definition
Have a doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D.) or
other terminal advanced degree
Engaged 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 Agreement
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Effective August 12, 2010
http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/polic
ies_employee_labor_relations/collective_barg
aining_units/post_docs/agreement.html
Presentation at the end
Collective Bargaining
Agreement Highlights
Salary/Stipend Levels
Personal Time Off - 24 days
Sick Leave - 12 days
Annual Review
Time/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.edu
Inquire 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.edu
Merge 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 PPO
HMO
PPO
• Health Maintenance
• Preferred Provider
Organization
• Organized System
responsible for
financing and delivering
health care.
• Separate from Your
insurance carrier
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 + “Coinsurance”
• May need to file claims
yourself
• Deductible must be met
before coverage begins
Benefits/Health Insurance
Garnett-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
PSBP Premiums
For 3252 employees and 3253 fellows paid through PPS:
- Premiums collected from paycheck
For 3254 paid directs:
- Garnett-Powers will directly bill postdoc for premiums
HMO
PPO
Coverage Level
Postdoctoral
Scholar
Postdoctoral
Scholar %
Contribution
Postdoctoral
Scholar
Postdoctoral
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%
Benefits/Health Insurance
Enrollment
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
options
Fidelity Investments manages DCP
www.netbenefits.com or call 1-866-6827787
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 (noncareer 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 Resources
UCI 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_relati
ons/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 Resources
Leigh 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