- This page is a copy of the NKI-AVL postdoc website, continue for more information about the retreats, or go to the NKI-AVL page and click on 'postdocs'. | NKI-AVL Postdoc site >>
- Overview
About 70 post-doctoral fellows (temporary staff with a Ph.D. degree) are employed in the different departments of our Institute (NKI-AVL). They mostly stay 4 to 8 years on project basis in the research laboratories contributing to the scientific achievements of our Institute. Approximately 30% are non-Dutch scientists coming from all over the world joining in the international atmosphere of the Institute. All meetings, journal clubs and seminars are in English. - Postdoc committee
The objective of the postdoc committee is to help the institute become an excellent place to work for postdocs and to help postdocs in their professional development. A main task is to organize the annual NKI-AVL postdoc retreat. Items that are part of a retreat are: Training for your future career, how to succeed as a scientist in academia or outside, communication skills, setting expectations for yourself, obtaining and negotiating the next position, responsibilities beyond the laboratory, crafting a mission statement, managing your laboratory, mentoring and being mentored, project management, understanding the national and EU funding process and getting funded, getting published, increasing your visibility, technology transfer and setting up collaborations.-
- The postdoc committee consists of postdocs from different departments of the NKI-AVL and a postdoctoral dean, Prof. Dr. Peter J. Peters.
- Retreat 2005 | October 5-7, Egmond
The 5th postdoc retreat was held from 5-7 October at hotel Zuiderduin in Egmond with 150 postdocs.This year's theme was: 'Making the Right Moves'. We had composed a varied program with keynote speakers, workshops, a VENI pub, cabaret and live music. The retreat focused on several moves for a successful career in academia or elsewhere. Continue to read all about the 5th postdoc retreat on the following page, you will find the speakers' presentations, a photo gallery, the abstract book, and much more... | Retreat 2005 >>- Retreat 2004
Last year's and 4th postdoc retreat was held in Blooming Hotel in Bergen. The postdoc committee had composed a balanced program of science career perspective, training, information, networking and discussion in an informal setting. The central theme of the meeting was Signal our pathways to survive in science with the key question "how can I direct my career?". Checkout the following page for an impression of the 4th postdoc retreat, it contains photos, presentations, program and abstract book, plus much more... | Retreat 2004 >>- Past Retreats
The idea for a postdoc retreat was born from the frustrations about the lack of career perspectives for postdocs working at the NKI/AVL. One of the major achievements of these early retreats was the establishment of an additional senior postdoc position within the institute. Learn more about how consensus was reached between postdocs and staff members on a number of issues, including how more training- and career development opportunities could be provided. | Past retreats >>- Postdoc positions
One of the major achievements of past NKI-AVL postdoc retreats was the establishment of senior postdoc and research associate positions. It is important to point out that post-docs can play a very active role and should take the initiative to meet the qualifications for promotion to senior postdoc or research associate. If they have the ambition to do so they can set up a strategy, together with their supervisor, for training and or developing those activities that would allow them to meet the pertinent requirements. At the same time, supervisors are encouraged to develop their mentor skills in such a way that they can actively help their postdocs define short-and long-term career goals.- Performance and appraisal interview
- A performance and appraisal interview is preferably held annually. This interview covers two main areas:
- Whether the researcher's efforts thus far have produced satisfactory results. Clear agreements are made about the specific results expected during the remainder of the appointment. These agreements are usually about research emphases, publications, supervision and the transfer of knowledge.
- The researcher's future career once employment by NKI-AVL ends. In particular, a clear verdict is given on whether the researcher is likely to be able to pursue a successful academic career in the future. Are specific actions required, on the part of either the researcher or the project leader, to improve the chances of obtaining a job once employment by NKI-AVL ends?
- Scientific ethics for postdocs
- The best way to communicate ethics to your lab is to live by those ethics. You may also want to talk about some important ethical issues (e.g., scientific rigor and reproducible and discrepant results) in a lab meeting or in a more informal setting. | Scientific Ethics >>
Retreat 2005
Peter Peters: "We invite you to participate actively in the next postdoc retreat. Tell us what you think are important issues to discuss, the essential decisions you had or have to make, your experiences as a postdoc, and the questions you have. Your feedback and suggestions for the next retreat are highly appreciated."
