Memorial University is strongly committed to supporting its community of Postdoctoral
Fellows. The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) takes a leadership role in this strategic university
initiative and offers the following: 1) registration of Fellows; 2) a list-serve for direct communication with
the postdoc community; 3) a website dedicated to Memorial’s Fellows including an online Directory; 3) the
Postdoctoral Policy Review Committee with University-wide representation including Fellows;4) the
Annual Postdoc Appreciation Luncheon with University “Brass”; 5) public awareness highlighting
Memorial’s Fellows; 6) liaison with national groups to remain up-to-date on concerns of Postdoctoral
Fellows in Canada - in particular through the newly formed Canadian Society of Postdoctoral
Administrators, the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies (CAGS) and the Canadian Association of
Postdoctoral Fellows (CAPS) the past president of which is a Memorial Fellow. Memorial has committed
to host CAPS teleconference meetings and has supported the attendance of our CAPS representative at
the CAGS annual meeting. SGS advocates and acts as an information source for postdoctoral fellows
and postdoctoral issues on campus. Most recently we have become members of the newly formed
Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Administrators.
Memorial is a leader in its offerings for professional development for faculty, postdoctoral
fellows, students and staff. In collaboration with the Instructional Development Office, SGS has
developed and/or identified a wide range of opportunities of which postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to
take advantage. These concentrate on research, career development and teaching. In the area of
research, Fellows may take part in the workshops, the goal of which are to highlight and clarify the code
of ethical conduct by which responsible research is designed, conducted, and reported. In addition a
series of workshops is offered throughout the year utilizing the expertise of experienced researchers,
Ethics Boards and the Memorial Libraries. Yaffle, a colloquial term for a armload of fish (i.e. a valuable
asset!), is broadly recognized as a “sophisticated online resource that allows users to find an expert...”
and postdoctoral fellows are invited to share, celebrate and make available their expertise via this unique
resource to the local, national and international audience.
The Centre for Career Development offers resources and ongoing seminars in the area of
career enhancement and job searching including a series of workshops offered several times a year
covering topics such as creating curriculum vitae, the academic job search, the non-academic job search,
interview skills, developing a professional portfolio, and résumés and cover letters. Many of these
resources are also available online.
The University, in conjunction with the Instructional Development Office, offers a teaching
program, a voluntary, non-credit, but certificated program for those interested in teaching in higher
education. Also offered are a broad selection of workshops, teaching consultations of flexible length to
groups of individuals, assistance with teaching dossier preparation and other services. The Writing Centre
too will work collaboratively on an individual or group basis to develop strategies for teaching and
evaluating student writing.
Help with grant-crafting is an essential component of the opportunities offered. For assistance in
developing grant applications, Fellows can consult with Grants Coordinators, and with the staff at the
Office of Research Services who provide excellent support for grant applicants, including knowledge
brokering, expertise in contracts and expertise in administrative requirements for grant applications. To
complement these services, Memorial University this year contracted the services of a stellar grantscrafter with expert knowledge of the workings of Tri-Council committees and who works one-on-one with
applicants to enhance the marketability, structure, and language of the applications.
Fellows who would like to enhance their business and management skills can avail of the forprofit Gardiner Centre. Courses in project management and financial administration would be particularly
useful on a practical level.
At the departmental level opportunities for mentoring are varied.