​​Hidden away within the different divisions and research facilities of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) of Stellenbosch University (SU), one can find a group of individuals who produce much of the Faculty's knowledge capital – namely postdoctoral fellows.

These are individuals who have recently completed their doctoral studies and work tirelessly to enhance their expertise and produce novel research in their chosen fields of academia.

The Tygerberg Postdoctoral Society (T-PDS) was established in August 2015, under the guidance of Prof Nico Gey van Pittius, the Deputy Dean: Research at the FMHS, to provide the necessary infrastructure and support services on the Tygerberg Campus to this group of young researchers.

The SU's Postdoctoral Society (SU-PDS), which is located on the Stellenbosch Campus, caters to some of the academic, social, community, and administrative needs of this group of early-career researchers. Unfortunately, the large geographical distance between the different campuses has created a sense of disconnection between the FMHS cohort of postdoctoral fellows and the PDS.

"It is envisioned that the Tygerberg branch will advance the efforts of the SU-PDS and promote the involvement of the Tygerberg Campus' postdoctoral fellows within this society as well as within the university," said Dr Warren Vieira, the Chairperson of the T-PDS. 

In addition to integrating with the main PDS, the T-PDS will provide site specific support for the FMHS-hosted postdoctoral fellows. "The Executive Committee of the T-PDS did an electronic survey to identify key problem areas that will be tackled first," said Vieira. Based on the problems and needs raised by the local fellows, a set of goals has been generated which the society will address in 2016.

"On the top of the agenda are initiatives to facilitate postdoctoral-specific career development programmes, to create a sense of community amongst the members of this cohort and the SU, to establish a postdoctoral office on the Tygerberg Campus and to create an informative, postdoctoral-specific website," Vieira said.

In conjunction with the FMHS management, the newly established T-PDS will provide the cohort of postdoctoral fellows on the campus with academic, administrative, social and community support. Vieira thinks this venture will go a long way in providing this group of researchers with the appreciation and recognition they deserve.

"So be prepared for some exciting new developments to come," Vieira says. "Postdoctoral fellows who would like to contact us can email us at tygerbergpds@sun.ac.za".

Photo: Members of the Tygerberg Postdoctoral Society at a workshop held recently on the Tygerberg Campus

Also visit their website: www.sun.ac.za/TygerbergPDS.

This article appeared in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' digital publication VIVUS. Visit www.sun.ac.za/FMHSpublications to subscribe.