The Forum for Early Career Scientists (FECS) is an APS forum dedicated to addressing the unique challenges of early career scientists, which include postdocs, recent PhDs in industry, junior faculty, research associates and so on. FECS is one of the newest and fastest-growing APS fora and we’re looking for nominations of new people to join our executive board. Nominations are due Monday 8/31.

We are seeking nominations from people in all career stages, but since this is a group dedicated to early career scientists, we need early career scientists on our executive board. More information on how to get involved after the break.

This is a great opportunity to serve your community, network, and learn more about how APS works as an organization. I’ve been working at a Member-at-Large for about two years. In that time I’ve read grant proposals, helped build a survey, organized a March Meeting invited session on wellness, diversity and inclusion, and attended APS’s Annual Leadership Meeting and Congressional Visit Day in Washington, DC. It’s not a huge time commitment, but it’s been a fun and rewarding way to make the physics community just a little bit better.

Right now we a recruiting for the following positions:

• Chair-Elect (becomes chair following year)
• Secretary
• 2x Member-at-Large
• Communications Officer (new position)
• International Affairs Officer (new position)

There are detailed descriptions of the positions here, and can nominate yourself or someone else using this form.

If you want to learn more, take a look at the email below, join the discussion on APS Engage, or contact me directly.

Email from FECS

Dear FECS Members,

Thank you for your continuing support of FECS. In these difficult times we continue to promote the interests of early career scientists at APS and within our community.

The executive committee is expanding this year in order to improve our communication with you the members and promote more international involvement. This year, six executive committee member positions are open for nomination. These include:

-Chair-Elect
-Secretary
-Members-at-Large x2
-Communications Officer (New)
-International Affairs Officer (New)

A short description of these positions can be found here.

FECS is committed to a diverse and well-qualified executive committee that can best represent and apply the interests of FECS members. In considering nominations for the executive committee, we place due consideration to the meetings (March, April, divisional) that the nominee can attend, as there is a desire to have FECS well represented at all APS meetings. Apart from being a FECS member, there are no restrictions on nominations, and self-nominations are allowed and encouraged.

This form gives further instructions for nominations. The deadline for submission is August 31. Once nominations have been made, the election committee, chaired by the past chair, will begin the selection process, and elections will start soon after. The winners will assume the position at the beginning of 2021. Details for voting will be given once the election process begins.

We hope that you take the time to make a nomination for these important positions, and thank you again for your support.