Announcement: Chair of the UMCG Postdoc Council

I am honoured to announce that the UMCG Postdoc Council has voted for me to become their new chair.

The UMCG Postdoc Council works to improve the working conditions of postdocs at the UMCG. This includes working towards an increase in opportunities for permanent contracts at the UMCG, as well as supporting those who have been underpaid, overworked or struggle with the pressures of academic life. We foster peer-to-peer connections and networking through information sessions, drinks and guided peer-support groups and we are in contact with upper management through meetings with the Dean (Prof. Wiro Niessen). We support the efforts of the postdoc officer of the UMCG, Dr. Elizabeth Koier, who has developed the ‘postdoc development plan’ that is being worked towards implementing to clarify tasks and responsibilities of both postdoc and supervisor, as well as improve career perspectives of postdocs, also outside of academia. Lastly, we are connected to PostdocNL, who operate on a national level to orchestrate efforts across research centers and universities toward policy makers.

Through our work we empower and strengthen the position of the postdoctoral researchers at the UMCG and improve their working conditions, that these indivividuals at the start of their career may be healthy, happy and productive.

As chair I will be in charge of guiding our overall strategic plan, will chair meetings and present on behalf of the postdoc council at various meetings such as the Research Council of the UMCG. Together with the council and the postdoc officer I look forward to making an impact at the UMCG in the upcoming year and I thank the council for showing their trust in my skills by electing me as chair.

Sidenote for UMCG postdocs: If this sounds like a cause you’d like to get involved with, we’re looking for members to help out in the council! Please don’t hesitate to reach out in case you’re interested to postdoccouncil (at) umcg (dot) nl