Postdoctoral Mentoring and Advising Toolkit

The information and forms contained in this Toolkit were designed at MIT to assist the training of postdoctoral researchers, and will be helpful to mentors/advisors, Postdoctoral Fellows, and Postdoctoral Associates. Some of these resources are for one time use, others will be useful on an annual basis.

Complete Toolkit: docx format   pdf format

Individual Toolkit sections:

• Introduction
  pdf format
   
• Statement on the Postdoctoral training period – describing the training status of MIT postdoctoral researchers.
  pdf format
   
• MIT Mentoring Plan Outline (for faculty advisors/mentors) – topics that could be incorporated into a mentoring plan proposal
  docx format   pdf format
   
• Initial Meeting Form for MIT Postdoctoral Researchers and Advisors – an outline of topics to cover during an orientation meeting when the postdoc begins an appointment
  docx format   pdf format
   
• Annual Development Review for MIT Postdoctoral Researchers – a suggested template for the postdoctoral researcher (Part I) and advisor (Part II) to complete during the annual review process.
  docx format   pdf format
   
• MIT Postdoctoral Training Checklist (for postdocs) – a list of possible skills to build; the postdoc can refer to it periodically to monitor progress
  docx format   pdf format
   

NOTE: The National Science Foundation requires a one-page supplementary document for each proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers. It must describe “the mentoring that will be provided to all postdoctoral researchers supported by the project…Examples of mentoring activities include, but are not limited to: career counseling; training in preparation of grant proposals, publications and presentations; guidance on ways to improve teaching and mentoring skills; guidance on how to effectively collaborate with researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary areas; and training in responsible professional practices.” [Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (NSF 09-29 April 2009)  - Chapter II Section C2(j)]

Acknowledgements
These resources were developed using information provided by the National Science Foundation; MIT School of Science; MIT Postdoctoral Advisory Council; the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology; and other. Thanks go especially to Professor Hazel Sive and the School of Science Dean’s Office.