Effective mentoring by faculty is critical to the success of postdocs and to the career development of the faculty. UChicago PME Office of Postdoctoral Affairs encourages postdocs and their faculty mentors to adopt UChicago PME Postdoc Progress Assessment Form on an annual basis. The office encourages an annual meeting to evaluate research progress, articulate goals for the coming year, and discuss personal career interests and aspirations. This process ensures that a dialogue in those key areas between the postdoc and their faculty mentor takes place and serves as an opportunity to discuss performance or adjustments in future plans or expectations.
The Director for UChicago PME Postdoctoral Affairs may also serve as a resource to faculty as well as to postdocs regarding concerns related to performance, well-being or similar issues.
Problems? Postdoc may experience difficulties related to academic progress, adjustment to the US culture or to Stanford’s culture, the expectations and nature of relationships with colleagues, or personal or professional circumstances. Faculty are often first to notice signs and are in a position to counsel their postdocs and guide them towards appropriate campus resources.
We encourage faculty to connect their postdocs with Vipul Sharma, Director for UChicago PME Postdoc Affairs, as the first step to facilitate resolution and help with the university resources. In addition, UChicago Staff and Faculty Assistance Program is available to postdocs to assist with a variety of personal matters, including drug and alcohol abuse, stress, emotional difficulties, bereavement, family/personal concerns, financial counseling, and job-related issues. UChicago PME’s Ombuds is also available to postdocs as a confidential resource and would be able to facilitate conflict resolution in an impartial and confidential manner.