Dear Post Docs,
We hope you are all staying safe, staying busy and staying positive.
It has been said a lot before but bears repeating to everyone, to be kind to themselves and their colleagues and their circumstances during this difficult period of transition and uncertainty.
We are aware there are a number of initiatives and communications from central University, the Department, and respective Division, over the last two weeks, so rather than add to the load we choose to collate all relevant to our Post Docs and create a space that we can all easily access.
We would strongly encourage you to read the two emails from our senior colleagues, Professor Eilis Ferran and the Vice Chancellor in this link below:
https://www.cam.ac.uk/coronavirus/university-statements
We would also recommend visiting the University's webpage surrounding coronavirus (https://www.cam.ac.uk/coronavirus) as it covers many questions and areas. This webpage is being regularly updated.
We also appreciate the concerns in terms of impact of Coronavirus on UKRI-supported research, more information is being updated on a regular basis.
HR Guidance surrounding COVID19-related matters can be found here: https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/coronavirus-hr-guidance-institutions - (this covers sickness absence, managing working from home, pay and recording absence, TES workers, financial difficulties and annual leave).
For those whose contracts may be nearing an end, we would like to draw attention to the Contracts Extension Scheme.
As well as the CUED’s intranet for help with practical IT support to aid your working from home transition: https://help.eng.cam.ac.uk/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-av-services/
This is a time when you may find yourself feeling anxious and not sure what to do next so please feel free to reach out to edpc-enquiries@eng.cam.ac.uk, you can also find information (updated daily) on the University FAQs pages.
Social groups
PdOC – Post Docs of Cambridge Society
To aid with the transition, PdOC have launched a Slack community for Cambridge postdocs to connect with, and support, each
other.
The Slack community can be found at:
https://join.slack.com/t/cambpostdoccom/shared_invite/zt-d358vnow-0t0JU2Q0ypoqKb90jBikbw
Virtual events and webinars
Women in Innovation Programme - Building Success webinar series
Cambridge Society for the Application of Research (CSAR) Talks
Wellbeing and welfare
Wellbeing and mental health advice can be found here:https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/coronavirus_wellbeing_mentalhealth
Active Coping Calendar for April 2020
- Mindfulness
Weekly Monday session organised in Division D at noon
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/601395152
Staying healthy from home
Resources from the University Sports Centre
- Running
University Staff Online Running Community
- Online Yoga
https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
https://www.youtube.com/user/doyogawithme
Opportunities to engage in COVID19-related research or volunteer
Register with the COVID-19 Outbreak Expert Database
Respond to the Royal Academy of Engineering call for expertise
Register as a volunteer at Helpful Engineering
Send offers of support for local and national health services to covid-response@cam.ac.uk
Online continuing professional development opportunities
University of Cambridge Training
- Free online courses
https://www.coursera.org/ Options for accreditation
E-resources
Access to additional e-resources during COVID-19 outbreak
https://www.libraries.cam.ac.uk/access-additional-e-resources-during-covid-19-outbreak
Finally to stay up-to-date with events and developments relevant to Post Doc community please consider the:
OPdA - Office of Postdoctoral Affairs