Building Research Careers - The Postdoctoral Experience
4 th - 5 th May 2005
Herbert Park Hotel,
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Proceedings of the Building Research Careers Symposium
Programme
The objectives of this conference are:
- To explore the role of the postdoctoral researcher, its place in the development of a research career and its recognition both internally in research institutions and externally;
- To identify the current strengths and weaknesses operating at the postdoctoral level, and to proffer examples and opportunities for improvements in the system of program design, working arrangements, researcher mobility etc.
To achieve these objectives, the conference will explore the postdoctoral period in the development of a research career
The postdoctorate commonly is the last step before a new scientist enters into an independent professional career.
Currently, this part of the career path for researchers faces a number of challenges, such as length of contract, sustainability of employment, limited ability to move between research sectors and new requirements for employment.
Reexamination and possible broadening of the types of postdoctoral experiences represent a particularly important and timely opportunity because of the need to strengthen and diversify the scientific and technical workforce in Ireland today - a key objective laid down in the National Development Plan.
Speakers will be drawn from the national and international HE sectors, as well as policy makers and industry representatives.
Barry McSweeney, Chief Science Advisor to the Government
Session 1:Wednesday, 4 th May - 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Apprentice? Employee? Colleague? The Role of the Post-Doc
Speakers at Conference May 4th. Back: Niall Dillon, Gus McEvoy,
Eugene Kennedy, Martin Hynes. Front; Jane Grimson, Boaz Avron, Conor O'Carroll
2:00 Opening Address - Uni Head TBA
2:15 The post-doc in today's university - Ian Robertson, Trinity College Dublin
2:45 The Post-Doc in the European Context - Martin Hynes, IRCSET
3:15 Perspectives on the Future of the Post-doc - Dr Niall Dillon, Medical Research Council , UK
3:45 Coffee and Networking
4:15 Diversity in the Post-doc Experience - case studies
- Case study 1 - Gus McEvoy, EPFL, Switzerland
- Case study 2 - Boaz Avron, Weizmann Institute of Science , Israel
- Case study 3 - Dr Howard Fernhead, REMEDI, NUIG
- Case study 4 - Dr Ketty Schwartz, INSERM
6:00 Close
Wednesday evening 4 th May - Conference Dinner
Host: Paddy Teahon, Chair, C.H.I.U. Council
6:45 Reception and Keynote Speech: TBA
7:30 Conference Dinner
Katie Spitere, winner of the Science for All Competition, giving her award winning presentation at the conference dinner.
Session 2: Thursday, 5 th May - 9:00am -2:00pm
Perspectives on the Future of the Postdoctorate
Chair: Jason Twamley NUIM 
Speakers at Conference May 5th: Back: Massimo Serpieri.
Front: Gary Crawley, Jason Twamley, William Donnolly, Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Session 1: Building Research Careers
9:00 Address by Barry McSweeney, Chief Science Adviser
9:30 The Collaborative approach towards the development of Research Careers
Dr. Conor O'Carroll, Head of Research Office, C.H.I.U.
9:50 Women and Science - the postdoctoral experience - TBA
10:10 Post-doc programmes for the future - Bill Harris/Gary Crawley, SFI
10:30 Coffee
Dr William Donnolly, WIT & Dr Gary Crawley, SFI
Session 2: Administering Change - The challenges of the Post-doc experience
11:00 Recruiting, Training and Valuing the Next Generation of postdoctoral researcher - Willie Donnelly - WIT
11:30 Administrative challenges of postdoctoral positions - Margaret Ramsey UCD?
12:00 Attracting international postdoctoral researchers - overcoming mobility barriers - Massimo Serpieri, DG Research, European Commission
12:30 Panel Discussion and closing comments
Closing Address by Dr Ferdinand von Prondzynski
13:30 Conference Lunch, with displays
Katie Spitere UCC pictured with conference chair Prof. Eugene Kennedy UCD
Mr. Martin Hynes, IRCSET.
