SS/SC Liaison to CCR Office of the Director

Mission
Promote and maintain communication between CCR OD and the SS/SC community to improve SS/SC work fulfillment, performance and cohesion.

Genesis

• The CCR accommodates 229 staff scientists and 51 staff clinicians, per 2019 statistics. In 2017, the SS/SCs hosted its first direct conversation with the CCR Director, Dr. Tom Misteli, resulting in immediate and tangible benefits: the creation of the professional development training (SS/SC Enrichment Program), the STEP program and a program to help relocate SS/SCs when their PIs leave. These initiatives answered two main issues: career development opportunities and job security.

• In 2019, the CCR Women Scientist Advisors (WSAs) conducted a survey (*) to identify career opportunities and challenges experienced by the SS/SC community such as: lack of career advancement opportunities, limited independence, lack of visibility, and defective mentoring. A second discussion with Dr. Misteli was organized by three SSs, Drs. Lakshmi Balagopalan, Swati Choksi and Brunilde Gril, to bring awareness of these challenges and needs to CCR leadership. By his presence and comments, Dr. Misteli sent a clear message: the career fulfillment and job satisfaction of SS/SCs are a priority.

• Continuing feedback between SS/SCs representatives and Dr. Misteli followed the round table.  As a result, the Liaison Committee was founded to maintain this transparent but direct communication between SS/SCs and CCR Office of the Director and encourage the SS/SCs to stay engaged in the mission of the CCR.

*Thirty percent of SSs and 47% of SCs answered the survey. Among them, 54% SSs and 61% SCs found themselves in a position to which they aspire. This result compared equally to other surveys performed among graduate scientists^1,2.

¹PLoS ONE 12(1), 2017. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0169859, ²Nature 2018 vol. 562,611

Detailed summary of the survey: 2019 WSA SS/SC survey poster.jpg