What's PdOC About?
PdOC is looking for motivated people with innovative ideas to join us
and help both current and future generations of postdocs at Cambridge. We are a
young organisation run by postdocs for postdocs. Established in 2001, in
the years since its inception PdOC has flourished and grown, establishing
a strong track record in achieving goals that have been identified
university-wide by postdocs.
Having identified the most important needs of Cambridge postdocs through a
questionnaire, PdOC instigated a series of initiatives in career
development contract research conditions, college affiliation, and
developed social and sporting links. To this end we have established a
wide network of contacts – departmental, Collegiate, and
administrative – in and around the University. As a first point of
contact for many researchers joining the university our website provides
a valuable resource with links to career development, seminars,
workshops, sports clubs and social events.
One issue that has been at the centre of our attention has been that
of college affiliation for postdocs. Postdocs already teach students,
both in theory and practical classes, making them an integral part of Cambridge's education
system. PdOC is keen to emphasise the importance and richness of this
resource and encourages all colleges to affiliate postdocs into them. We
have been instrumental in the current shift towards acceptance of
postdocs into many colleges. Our aim is that, one day, postdocs will
arrive at the university and immediately be able to integrate, not only
into their department, but also into college life.
We have made a start on improving the quality of researchers' time in Cambridge, so please
help us to continue this valuable work by joining us as we plan future
events for the society and addresses the further needs of postdocs within
the university.
Core to the principles of the society is the identification of needs
of the University
of Cambridge
postdocs. Clearly the higher the membership the better the representation
we will achieve. As such, we are currently pushing to introduce as many
people as possible to the society. A commitment to the society need not
be more than meeting to discuss anything you feel may be altered or
established to make the Cambridge
postdoc's life better. Plenty of opportunities exist to get involved more
actively.
Please come and have your say, get involved and tell your friends.
PdOC has a major problem with reaching most potential members because no
complete mailing list of postdocs exists, making word of mouth and
advertising the best routes of introduction. There are estimated to be
more than 2500 postdocs in Cambridge
currently without significant representation. Our aim is to encourage
ideas and participation from as many as possible, from the fresh arrival
with new perspectives on life in Cambridge to the jaded long term
Cambridge researcher.
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