The MIT Postdoctoral Association (PDA) is a postdoc-led organization that provides support for over 1500 postdoctoral trainees appointed in 50 departments at MIT. The PDA is structured according to the guidelines provided by the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) for forming and maintaining a PDA and is supported by the MIT Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR).
The PDA bylaws can be found here.
Our Mission
The MIT Postdoctoral Association seeks to establish a self-sustaining organization that will support all MIT postdoctoral trainees during their professional research training and career development. The MIT PDA will serve as a liaison between postdoctoral trainees and the faculty and administration of MIT, striving to engage with and improve the MIT community. The MIT PDA seeks to enhance all aspects of the postdoctoral training experience and foster a sense of community that promotes and encourages an environment of peer support. The MIT PDA will continually aid incoming postdoctoral trainees as they integrate into the MIT community, as well as continue to maintain an alumni network of past postdocs. The MIT PDA will not discriminate based on race, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.
Executive Board
The MIT PDA Executive Board is responsible for the general operations of the MIT PDA and awards the Postdoc Initiative Grants (PInG). The MIT PDA Executive Board comprises five positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, and Recording Secretary.
The President shall:
- Be the executive officer of the MIT PDA
- Preside over and chair all General Meetings and set the agenda for General Meetings
- Act as a liaison between the MIT PDA and the Office of the Vice President for
Research at MIT - Act as a representative of the MIT PDA in the Faculty Postdoc Advisory
Committee (FPAC) - Be responsible for the condition of the MIT PDA and the proper discharge of the duties of its officer
- Hold regular Executive Board meetings to coordinate the operations of the MIT PDA.
- Call for the formation of a temporary Election Committee to run the general elections
- Ensure that officer positions are filled.
- Coordinate the training of incoming officers.
The Vice President shall:
- Assist the President
- Act as President in the absence of the President
- Assume the duties of the President in the case of extended absence or vacancy
The Treasurer shall:
- Follow all MIT financial procedures and keep a systematic financial record of the MIT PDA’s finances
- Report on PDA’s finances upon the request of the President
- Coordinate the generation of a working budget for the MIT PDA, which will be presented and voted on at a MIT PDA General Meeting within 60 days of the general election
- Facilitate and coordinate purchases and reimbursements for the MIT PDA
The Corresponding Secretary shall:
- Carry on the MIT PDA’s correspondence with MIT and the external community, including advertising, etc
- Coordinate with the President and provide oversight for internal correspondence between MIT PDA officers regarding official MIT PDA activities and meetings
The Recording Secretary shall:
- Keep the minutes of General Meetings, including attendance
- Be responsible for the PDA records, including a good working knowledge of the MIT PDA Constitution and Bylaws
- Ensure that the PDA Constitution and Bylaws are kept up to date, and ensure the Constitution and Bylaws are properly followed
- Maintain an active list of all officers of the PDA
Standing Committees
Standing Committees are responsible for fulfilling a specific set of responsibilities consistent with the MIT PDA mission. Committee Chairs shall be responsible for fulfilling the duties of their Committees and recruiting postdocs into their committees, as needed. Committees may have two Chairs, referred to as Co-chairs.
The Advocacy Committee shall:
- Communicate concerns to the faculty & administration on behalf of the postdocs
- Identify and address issues related to careers, healthcare, benefits, salary, immigration, childcare, grant-funding mechanisms, and other relevant areas
- Establish a unified voice for postdocs and increase their profile within the MIT community.
The Professional Development Committee shall:
- Promote the ethical conduct of research
- Establish mutually rewarding mentoring relationships with members of the MIT community
- Organize events such as career-building workshops, research symposiums, industry ventures, etc.
The Community Building Committee shall:
- Encourage the participation and involvement of postdocs within the MIT community
- Enlist the support of MIT postdoctoral trainees towards PDA efforts through committee participation and involvement
- Organize networking and social events that create a supportive peer group and integrate postdocs into the larger MIT community.
The Information Flow and IT Support Committee shall:
- Set up efficient communication and publicity systems (i.e., Email Listserv, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook groups)
- Maintain an up-to-date website of resources and information
The Alumni Committee shall:
- Serve as liaison between the PDA and the MIT Alumni Association.
- Work with the PDA Administrator to ensure and maximize the inclusion of postdocs in the Infinite Connection
- Foster an MIT postdoctoral alumni network, including events and communications
The Orientation Committee shall:
- Coordinate the MIT PDA Orientation for new postdocs
- Works together with Postdoctoral Services and the HR Benefits office to organize monthly hybrid orientation meetings.
- Generate and maintain resources relevant to new incoming postdocs. Issues include but are not limited to housing, commuting options, benefits, and child care support.
The Sports Committee shall:
- Organize sports events for the postdoc community
- Help coordinate the participation of postdocs in MIT community sports events, such as Intramural tournaments.
The Belonging and Outreach Committee (est. 2025) shall:
- Encourage fair treatment and foster mutual understanding and respect among all postdocs
- Highlight the importance of postdocs in shaping inclusive academic environments for student populations. Support training and resources that prepare postdocs to foster welcoming, respectful, and collaborative spaces within and beyond MIT
- Act as a liaison to MIT DLCI postdoc groups and peer institutions’ postdoc groups
- Act as the liaison between the PDA recognized postdoc groups (as defined in Article 8) and affinity groups
- Collaborate with all PDA Committees to support efforts that enhance equitable treatment, well-being, and a positive postdoc experience at MITWorks together with Postdoctoral Services and the HR Benefits office to organize monthly hybrid orientation meetings.
Constitution and Bylaws
The Constitution of the MIT establishes its mission and general organization. (Click here to Download the Constitution of the MIT-PDA)
The Bylaws of the MIT PDA describe its general operation, including the roles of officers and committees, budgetary matters, and procedures for general meetings and elections. Click here to download the Bylaws of the MIT Postdoctoral Association [Ratified in June 2023]