ABOUT THE AWARD

The Lakehead University Postdoctoral Fellow Excellence Award was established in 2022 to recognize postdoctoral fellows who have displayed excellence in research, professional development, and/or service during the time of their appointment at Lakehead University.  Lakehead University invites nominations for the Lakehead University Postdoctoral Fellow Excellence Award on an annual basis.

A maximum of one award will be presented annually. The award will consist of a $500 award as well as a framed award certificate. The award will be publicly announced during the annual Research and Innovation Week Awards Ceremony.

ELIGIBILITY

Nominees must be a current postdoctoral fellow at Lakehead University and must have been active as a postdoctoral employee or award recipient in the six months prior to the nomination deadline.

The successful nominee will demonstrate their excellence according to the criteria listed below, which should demonstrate the quality of the nominee’s contribution and commitment to Lakehead University.

Unsuccessful nominees may be nominated in a subsequent year if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. Previous recipients are not eligible to be nominated.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

The nomination may be submitted by a faculty member, normally the PDF's supervisor/mentor through the Romeo Research Portal, as follows:

1)        Nominations are to be submitted electronically via the Romeo Research Portal (form titled “Postdoctoral Fellow Excellence Award”). To access the Romeo Research Portal, log into MyInfo using your usual username and password, then select Romeo Research Portal from the web utilities link. Select APPLY NEW (on the right) to access current application forms.

2)        The Nominator becomes the Principal Investigator for purposes of submitting the nomination   the Office of Research Services will re-assign the role of Principal Investigator to the PDF nominee after receipt of the application.

3)        Attachments:  The Nomination must contain the following supporting documentation as attachments:

3.1 Letter from the nominator(s) describing the attributes of the postdoc in relation to the award criteria outlined below (maximum 2 pages).  Normally, the nominator is the postdoctoral supervisor/mentor who will provide a rationale as to why the nominee qualifies for the award, (maximum 2 pages).

3.2 One letter of support from Lakehead University students, other PDFs, colleagues or other Lakehead community members who have closely interacted with the nominee in the past six months (maximum 2 pages).

3.3 The nominee's abbreviated CV including a summary of relevant accomplishments, their academic qualifications, and their current position, research outputs and impacts (i.e., publications, partnerships, grants, etc.), and any awards or special recognitions (maximum 5 pages).

NOMINATION DEADLINE

Nominations are due annually on December 1, or the Monday following if December 1 falls on the weekend.

AWARD CRITERIA AND SELECTION PROCESS

Excellence is broadly defined and judged on the quality of the nominee’s contribution and commitment to the Lakehead University community. Nominees should demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

1. Mentorship and guidance of undergraduate and graduate students;

2. Inspirational leadership that contributes to the prosperity and well-being of the University and the broader community;

3. Distinguished research, knowledge creation and/or innovation;

4. Community participation and volunteering in Thunder Bay and/or Orillia regions; and/or

5. Contributions and initiatives that enhance Lakehead University’s research and innovation mission.

The selection committee will be chaired by the Associate Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies.  The committee will consist of at least five members, including three faculty members from NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR categories, one graduate student, a postdoctoral fellow and the Director, Research Services or designate. Committee membership should include at least one of the previous award winners when available. The committee will review the nomination packages and recommend the recipient to the Vice-President Research and Innovation.