The mandate of the CASCA Postdoc Committee (hereafter PDC) is to reflect the views of, and address issues important to, the postdoctoral community in Canada. While postdoctoral members are Ordinary members within CASCA, it is understood that their views and needs may differ from those of tenure track faculty or career researchers within institutes. For instance, postdoc members provide expert-level scientific labour along with their faculty and career researcher colleagues, but postdoc employment is often defined by short-term contracts which can substantially impact their professional and personal life.

 

The PDC will:

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1. Represent the views of CASCA’s postdoctoral members, gathering and presenting information to support an inclusive and thriving postdoc community;

2. Provide strategic guidance relevant to the postdoc community to the CASCA Board and wider astronomical community;

3. Conduct ongoing monitoring of the working conditions for postdocs such as salaries, benefits, contract lengths, and experience inside and outside of Canada;

4. Communicate all relevant information regarding the views and concerns of postdoctoral members to the Board of Directors and where possible recommend strategies to the Board;

5. Be ready to respond to special requests from the CASCA Board;

6. Report formally via the normal biannual process, with the Board reviewing these reports in their December and May Board meetings.

7. Advise the Long Range Plan Community Recommendations Implementation Committee regarding implementation of Long Range Plan 2020 recommendations

 

The Postdoctoral Committee shall consist of

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1. The Chair – officer (voting)

2. The Vice-Chair – officer (voting)

3. Up to five additional voting members

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Length of term: All positions on the committee are 3-year terms.

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Role of the Chair:

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1. The Chair will be the primary spokesperson for the Postdoctoral committee.

2. Act as the primary liaison with the CASCA Board

3. Call meetings and set agendas, and chair said meetings

4. Also follow directives for non-officers

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Role of the Vice-Chair:

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1. Deputize for the Chair when needed

2. Record information as determined necessary by the committee

3. Also follow directives for non-officers

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Role of non-officers:

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1. To make the best effort to attend all meetings

2. Represent broad viewpoints​