Postdocs at McGill:

1
Postdocs at McGill

• The pain and the pleasure

2
Who Are They?

• April 2004 495
• 2003 International 238/421
• 2003 Canadian 183/421
• 2003 FACMED 252/421

3
The Overall Context in the last 5 years

• Postdocs across North America are organizing for
  better conditions
• NAS, NAE, Institute of Medicine studied the North
  American situation of postdocs
• AAU produced recommendations for universities on
  postdocs
• MEQ required postdocs to register
• MEQ provided tax exemptions for certain
  international postdocs
• McGill created guidelines and regulations for
  postdocs
• NSERC required universities to have guidelines

4
Definition of Postdocs

• Registration Criteria set by MEQ
• No more than 5 years after the PhD
• (maternity and residency are added)
• For no more than 5 years
• Primarily engaged in research with minimal
  teaching

5
Accepting a Postdoc (1 of 2)

• See www.mcgill.ca/gps/postdoc for important
  postdoc information and guidelines
• Direct prospective postdoc to guidelines on the
  web
• Consider language abilities very seriously
• Offer letter must be clear (see sample letter)
• Specify length of stay, rate of funding (must be
  at minimum rate)

6
Accepting a Postdoc (2 of 2)

• On arrival a memorandum of agreement on
  expectations and funding must be in writing with
  Chairs signature (see sample)
• Operating cost money is important

7
Why register as a postdoc? (1 of 2)

• To receive McGill services
• Quebec Tax Exemption (International postdocs in
  Pure and Applied Sciences)
• 3 months of free insurance upon arrival
• minimum funding
• rights and responsibilities
• PGSS membership
• PGSS extended insurance

8
Why register as a postdoc? (2 of 2)

• ID cards, library privileges, e-mail, internet
• Student services, McGill childcare, gym, Faculty
  Club for a fee
• Postdoc listserv, vacation policy, leave of
  absence
• Representation on committees
• Principals reception
• Assistance from Associate Dean (GPS) with problems

9
Clarifying Minimum Rates of Pay

• There is a mandatory minimum, 27K
• Minimum rates are 90 of postdoc rate of FRSQ or
  CIHR, whichever is lowest
• Put funding level in letter of offer

10
Clarifying Postdoc Insurance

• First 3 months of basic healthcare insurance are
  covered by McGill
• After 3 months postdocs have Quebec basic medical
  coverage
• As members of PGSS, postdocs must purchase
  extended-care insurance
• Supervisors should provide money for PGSS
  insurance from grants (permissible under the
  tri-Council agreement)

11
Clarifying Tax Exemptions (QTE) and Work Permits

• must apply for QTE by sending an application to
  GPSO
• letter of offer is essential for getting a work
  permit
• provide postdoc with the letter of offer well
  ahead of arrival time so postdocs can receive
  their permit on time

12
Clarifying Leaves

• Vacation
• 15 working days (McGill rule) and statutory
  holidays
• Family or Health
• Up to one year (McGill and MEQ rule)
• Not retroactive (McGill and MEQ rule)
• 8 hours is enough work for 1 day

13
When the End is Near

• 12 months, 6 months, 3 months, 1 month notice of
  termination date
• If you want the postdoc to become a Research
  Associate you must advertise 6 months before
  their end date

14
Core Components of Postdoctoral Supervision

• Allow independence
• Meet regularly
• Mentor publications and grant writing
• Mentor graduate supervision
• Mentor career development
• Minimize teaching load
• See COSEPUP book on Postdocs in Science and
  Engineering www.nap.edu/catalog/9831.html

15
CAUTION

• A recent safety audit has found that one of the
  greatest risk factors for safety in laboratories
  at McGill is postdocs who do not have a good
  command of the English or French language.
• Assure yourself of the proof of their
  English/French before arrival and be very clear
  about any labelling or standard use of another
  language in the laboratory.

16
We are here to help

• Martine Eggeman, Postdoc Manager, Graduate and
  Postdoctoral Studies Office
• Registration
• Information
• Jim Nemes, Associate Dean
• Help with postdoctoral supervisory problems
• Martha Crago, Dean
• Oversight
• National, international representation
• New initiatives
• Information sessions

17
New Materials on the way

• Printed Booklets in 2004-05
• Postdocs at McGill (Recruitment)
• Becoming a McGill Postdoc (what to do to be
  accepted and before arriving)
• Hosting a McGill Postdoc (for Supervisors and
  Departments)
• Being a Postdoc at McGill (what to do once here)
• The McGill Postdoc Package
• Responsible Conduct of Research Workshops
• Grantsmanship Workshops
• Teaching Workshops
• Supervision Workshops
• Career Development Services