StrengthsFinder pilot workshop

As postdocs, our research expertise does not automatically bring with it any self-awareness of our own general talent. Nor does it necessarily provide the ability to manage this talent so as to work consistently in ways that enable us to deliver our best contribution. This ability to leverage talent, particularly when working in a leadership role, is fundamental to fulfilling our potential and guiding future career paths. Although academic excellence is the ‘entry ticket’ to research and teaching, self evaluation of talent helps unlock hidden potential to deliver to an even higher standard of performance.

In collaboration with Caret (Birmingham, UK) and the Clifton StrengthsFinder Center, Roberts funding is being used to pioneer an innovative workshop to evaluate the personal strengths of individual postdocs in the Biological Sciences at the University of Warwick.

The workshop will take place on Thursday, April 5. Prior to the workshop date, participating postdocs will receive the book, “Now, Discover Your Strengths” and be expected to fill out an in-depth questionnaire online. On April 5th, a 1.5-hour presentation will present the Caret/StrengthsFinder philosophy and demonstrate the value of understanding our particular talents. Later in the day, a 45-minute 1-on-1 session with a Caret consultant will help individuals understand the significance of their talent combination and discuss any performance and career implications that this might reveal. Postdocs participating in this pilot will be expected to provide specific feedbank following the workshop on its suitability for wider application across the department and university.

A maximum of 12 postdocs from Biological Sciences will attend the StrengthsFinder pilot workshop. Postdocs will be selected on a first-come-first-serve basis. If willing and able to complete the online questionnaire, attend the April 5th morning session, schedule a 45-minute one-on-one later in the day, and provide post-workshop feedback, please email Josh Neufeld at j.neufeld@warwick.ac.uk by Friday the 23rd of February. All names in excess of the first 12 will be kept for the proposed roll-out of this voluntary workshop to the rest of the department later this year.

: 21 Feb 2007 12:35 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Time to lead?

Are you interested in being a voice for postdocs in the Biological Sciences? Do you enjoy making changes and improvements? Are you a team player? Perhaps the postdoctoral representative position is the right opportunity for you. The Biological Sciences postdocs are represented by two postdoc representatives (Karine Masse and Josh Neufeld) and are supported by additional committee members (Martin Ostrowski and Will Gaze). As Josh Neufeld will be leaving in the near future, it is time to welcome a new rep. Please contact Karine Masse if you are interested in discussing this possibility further.

: 30 Jan 2007 21:50 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Notice of computing committee meeting

The next departmental computing committee meeting will be held on Tuesday the 30th of January. If you have any issues that you would like discussed please let me know (or list them here) before the 23rd of January for inclusion on the agenda.

At the last meeting we discussed wireless access, computing equipment recycling, more machines for the library workroom and abuse of clone manager licences. You can read the minutes of the last meeting

: 15 Jan 2007 14:20 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Australia Day fever

This Australia Day promises to be more exciting than ever as the Biological Sciences postdocs gather to celebrate our little island down under. Between 4:30 and 5:30 PM on Friday the 26th of January, the department has graciously agreed to provide a round of drinks (juice, beer or wine) for the postdocs. We look forward to seeing you in the new refectory!

: 11 Jan 2007 16:19 |  Comments (5) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Interested in an Advanced Arb Course?

Katrin Zwirglmaier is organising an advanaced ARB course to be held here around April next year. The course will be run by Frank-Oliver Gloeckner and Wolfgang Ludwig over a period of two days. While the committee are sorting out funding for the course it would be great to get some idea on the number of people interested in attending.

Not sure what Arb is?

The course is limited to ~12 people and funding is tight. In addition to the Roberts funding we may have to seek external funding which could mean that we will have to open 1/2 of the seats to external researchers. Please let me know, by email, if you have a firm interest in attending this course as soon as you possibly can. m.ostrowski@warwick.ac.uk

Best Wishes for the New Year, Martin

: 18 Dec 2006 13:53 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Make us better

Have your say! Between 4 and 18 December all researchers are invited to complete an anonymous on-line survey asking about their experiences of being a researcher at Warwick. This is the fourth time that the Career Researchers’ Online Survey (CROS), a nation-wide survey, has been run at Warwick. The purpose of the survey is to provide factual information on which Warwick can base decisions relating to career development, supervision and communication processes for research staff. It also gives us the opportunity to gather views on proposals for Roberts-funded skills development for research staff and to gain feedback on their implementation. The survey will be open from 4-18 December and is available here or via the Research Staff website.

: 05 Dec 2006 14:46 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Forever famous?

Want to be one of the most famous postdocs in the world? Naturejobs has organised a writing competition for postdocs, which would allow the winners to post monthly blurbs that describe the ups and downs of postdoc life. The blurbs will be published in issues of Nature over 2007. Interested? It’s not difficult to apply. Take a look here.

: 03 Dec 2006 16:51 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Why Should Contract Research Staff Join the Union?

From Ken Flint and Helen Bird, Union Reps presented at the Postdoc Meeting 31 May 2006.

UCU, the universities and college Union (formerly AUT, Association of University Teachers) is the only organisation recognised nationally and locally on behalf of contract research staff (CRS). The Union provides information, advice and representation.

What does the Union do for CRS? read more in the linked document

: 27 Nov 2006 12:49 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Minutes of Postdoc Meeting November 24

Please find the minutes of the latest discussion of the Roberts Funding and the Postdoc committee meeting held on November 24, 2006.

: 27 Nov 2006 12:27 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Welcome to the Postdoc Forum for Biological Sciences

This site is intended as a source of information for Postdocs in our department. The site is curated by current members of your Postdoc Committee, however this forum is open to the gripes and issues of all postdocs in the department.

Postdoc Committee
*Josh Neufeld (rep)
*Karine Masse (rep)
*Martin Ostrowski
*Will Gaze

The content posted here will include announcements, minutes of previous meetings as well as general issues raised by any member of the professional research staff.

Please subscribe to this site in your compatible browser to keep up to date with new content.

: 24 Nov 2006 15:20 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem