Postdoctoral Scholars
Postdoctoral Scholars
Postdoctoral scholars at UC Santa Barbara comprise a diverse group of approximately 250 scholars across many disciplines. At the University of California, the postdoctoral experience emphasizes scholarship and continued research training for individuals who have recently completed a doctoral degree. The Postdoctoral Scholar conducts research under the general oversight of a faculty mentor in preparation for a career position in academe, industry, government, or the nonprofit sector. Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are temporary positions with fixed end dates intended to provide a full-time program of advanced academic preparation and research training.
Campus Staff Contact Information
Responds to questions regarding APM or Red Binder general policy issue
Cindy Doherty, Director
4105 Cheadle Hall
Phone: (805) 893‐8332
Email: cindy.doherty@ap.ucsb.edu
Graduate Division
Manages review and processing of incoming appointment and reappointment forms, and databases. Responds to general postdoctoral policy questions on behalf of the Graduate Division and prepares appointment “exceptions” for review by the graduate dean.
Melanie Hoven, Postdoc Personnel Analyst
3117 Cheadle Hall
Phone: (805) 893‐4652
Email: melanie.hoven@graddiv.ucsb.edu
Chris Dixon, Director, Financial Support and Business Operations
3117 Cheadle Hall
Phone: (805) 893‐4231
Email: chris.dixon@graddiv.ucsb.edu
Provides recruitment and retention assistance to departments under the University’s affirmative action plan, assists campus community to eliminate and avoid unlawful discrimination and harassment, and provides education and training on diversity and non‐discrimination compliance issues including sexual harassment prevention.
Ricardo Alcaíno, Director
3217A Phelps Hall
Phone: (805) 893‐2701
Email: ricardo.alcaino@oeosh.ucsb.edu
Counsels postdoctoral scholars on enrollment information, benefit plans, coverage offered by the plans, eligibility, and costs. Acts as liaison among the postdoctoral scholars, departments, payroll, Garnett‐ Powers, and insurance carriers. Able to facilitate, together with Garnett‐Powers and insurance companies, to resolve billing, approval, and/or enrollment issues.
Mayra Magana, MPPA, Postdoctoral Scholars Benefits Coordinator
3101 Student Affairs/Administrative Services Building
Phone: (805) 893‐4263
Email: Mayra.Magana@hr.ucsb.edu
Answers general questions about union contract interpretation and union dues/fees. Assists with informal complaint resolution and grievance processing as well as layoffs and disciplinary matters.
Farfalla Borah, Employee and Labor Relations Manger
3101 Student Affairs/Administrative Services Building
Phone: (805) 893‐4482
Email: farfalla.borah@hr.ucsb.edu
Works with the employing departments to obtain the immigration (and sometimes Department of Labor) authorizations necessary to employ foreign national postdoctoral scholars, researchers, lecturers, and other international faculty and staff. Answers questions on how to document these groups and enter them into the PPS system.
Billy Ko, Scholar Specialist
Student Resource Building (SRB), Room 3131
Phone: (805) 893‐2097
Email: tszfung.ko@sa.ucsb.edu
Contact: Sponsored Projects Team
Contact your Sponsored Projects Team for questions regarding requests for pre‐award spending, requests for advanced spending, and rebudgeting of funds. For questions related directly to the postdoc contract, contact Cora Diaz, Associate Director at diaz@research.ucsb.edu.