What is the Laboratorys Postdoc Initiative Committee (PIC)?
The purpose of the Postdoc Initiative Committee is to assess the current environment for postdocs, identify key issues of importance, and recommend steps to support making Berkeley Lab a premier institution of choice for conducting postdoctoral research. Background In 2002, the Lab joined a UC committee that reviewed polices and procedures regarding postdoc employment. In 2004, the Lab formed the Postdoctoral Fellow Advisory Group. Headed by Zahid Hussain, Physicist Senior Scientist and Division Deputy for the Advanced Light Source (ALS), this group reviewed various aspects of employment for postdocs and made recommendations to senior management. As a result, the Lab improved the benefits program for postdocs by adding vision and dental benefits and life and disability insurance. Current Activities In 2008, the Postdoctoral Fellow Advisory Group reconvened as the Postdoc Initiative Committee with a new mission and broadened membership to include scientific staff members who were previo
