The “SOT Program Spotlights” series is aimed at increasing awareness of how SOT programs and activities are focused on addressing and/or supporting the Society’s guiding principles of (1) serving the needs of the scientific discipline and our members to enhance human, animal, and environmental health; (2) life-long learning and intellectual scientific stimulation; (3) diversity of representation in all activities of the Society; and (4) integrity.
In honor of the recent National Postdoc Appreciation Week, in this edition, the spotlight is on the Postdoctoral Assembly (PDA). The purpose of the PDA is to increase involvement of postdoctoral scholars in SOT and to address issues related to the postdoctoral experience.
The Society is composed of investigators across education and career levels and works to invest in members in all these diverse stages of career development.
To this end, the SOT Postdoctoral Assembly (PDA) was created with the purpose of increasing the involvement of postdoctoral scholars in SOT and addressing issues related to the postdoctoral experience.
The Postdoctoral Assembly Luncheon during the 2019 SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo.
All SOT members who self-identify as postdoctoral scholars are part of the PDA. For the purposes of SOT, the definition of a postdoctoral scholar closely aligns with that set by the National Postdoctoral Association. A postdoctoral position is characterized by several factors, including that (1) the postdoctoral appointment is temporary, (2) the effort is focused primarily on research, (3) the development of professional skills prepares the postdoc to actively pursue a career, (4) the postdoc is supervised by at least one senior scholar, (5) the postdoc is allowed and encouraged to publish the results of research or scholarship, and (6) the appointment is not part of a clinical training program.
The PDA is governed by an elected PDA Executive Board, the members of which provide leadership for communications, strategic activities, and events of special interest to postdocs.
For example, in addition to webinars presented throughout the year, the PDA hosts several events during the SOT Annual Meeting to facilitate networking among postdoctoral scholars. Specifically, Poster Tours for Trainees and Career Exploration through Speed Informational Interviews are organized for graduate students and postdoctoral scientists. Poster Tours allows trainees to participate in a one-hour guided poster tour with a toxicologist guide. These small group tours provide the opportunity for trainees to take part in critical evaluation of cutting-edge toxicology methods and research findings and to network with a senior toxicologist. Career Exploration is designed for graduate students and postdocs who want to gain insight into the different career sectors in toxicology. Groups of trainees rotate through a series of short discussions with career representatives from academia, government, and industry.
In addition, the PDA Luncheon encourages increased participation and networking among postdoctoral scholars by providing a venue exclusively for postdocs to gather in an informal setting to relax, network, and celebrate their achievements with others, including PDA officers, Postdoctoral Representatives, and SOT Councilors. Also, the recipients of the Best Postdoctoral Publication Awards (BPPA) are recognized during the PDA Luncheon. Presented by the PDA, these awards acknowledge outstanding work accomplished during formal mentored postdoctoral traineeships by recognizing recently published exceptional papers in toxicology. The deadline each year is October 1.
The Society expresses its appreciation for the SOT Postdoctoral members by recognizing National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW), which took place September 21–September 25 this year. Special NPAW 2020 communications included blogs from the SOT President, PDA Chair, and members highlighting topics of interest to postdocs.
If you are interested in learning more about the PDA, please visit the “Postdoctoral Members” web page of the SOT website or contact SOT Headquarters.