MIT Postdoc Orientation

MIT Postdoctoral Association (PDA),

Human Resources, and the
Office of the Vice President for Research
 What is a postdoc?

“An individual who has received a doctoral

degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a
temporary and defined period of mentored
advanced training to enhance the professional
skills and research independence needed to
pursue their chosen career path”

- NPA, NIH, and NSF definition

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First meeting with PI

https://postdocs.mit.edu/site
s/postdocs/files/uploads/mit
_post_toolkit_checklist.pdf

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Postdoc Training Checklist

https://postdocs.mit.edu/site
s/postdocs/files/uploads/mit
_post_toolkit_checklist.pdf

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 Associates vs. Fellows

Associates
• Funded through MIT
• Costs faculty > $100k
• Salary and benefit pool
• Income taxes are withheld
• All MIT employee benefits

Fellows
• Funded by outside agency
• Costs faculty varying amounts
• No benefit pool
• Taxes not withheld
• Eligible for some benefits
through VPR resources
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 Health Benefits for Fellows

Coverage Tier Associates Fellows (Affiliate) Difference

Individual $2,568 $4,764 ($2,196)

Incl. Spouse $6,192 $8,196 ($2,004)
Inc. Dependent $5,292 $5,832 ($540)
Family $8,160 $9,264 ($1,104)

Discuss with the “Key Administrative Contact” in your department:

http://postdocs.mit.edu/postdocs-and-office-vpr/key-administrative-contac
ts-postdocs

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 Negotiating your salary

Discuss with your PI.

https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2019/04/think-you-can-t-negotiate-yo
ur-job-offer-or-postdoc-position-think-again
https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2019/04/think-you- 8
https://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/articles/10.1038/nj7658-441a
can-t-negotiate-your-job-offer-or-postdoc-position-think-
https://postdocs.mit.edu/

1. Prof. Maria Zuber

Vice President for
Research

2. Ann Skoczenski, PhD

Director of Postdoctoral
Services

3. Prof. William Green

Faculty-Postdoctoral
Advisory Committee

4.
Key administrative contac
ts (departmental)

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https://postdocs.mit.edu/
about/information-new-p
ostdocs

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Common Stressor: First Authorship

• Journal-specific guidelines
• E.g. PNAS: limited to those who have contributed
substantially to the work

• Talk to your PI about it

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 MIT Postdoctoral Association
(PDA)

1,500 postdocs in over 50 departments, labs, and centers

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www.Pda.mit.edu
President
pda-president @mit.edu

Vice President
pda-vp@@mit.edu

Recording Sec.
pda-vp@@mit.edu

Treasurer
pda-treasurer@mit.edu

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 PDA Advocacy
Chair of Advocacy Committee
pda-advocacy@mit.edu

• Pay
Years of
0 1 2 3
Experience
Dec. 1, 2016 $47,484 $47,844 $48,216 $50,316
Jul. 1, 2018 $48,432 $48,804 $49,188 $51,324
Dec. 1, 2018 $50,004 $50,376 $50,760 $52,896

• Free Charlie card

• Bike commuter benefits

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Career Services
Chair of Advocacy Committee
pda-advocacy@mit.edu

https://postdocs.mit.edu/career-developme
nt/career-services-and-resources

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 Writing and Communication

Writing and Communication Centre Engineering ComLab

1-hr appointment with
professional wordsmith
https://mit.mywconline.c
om/index.php?logout=Y
ES

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 PDA Advocacy
Chair of Advocacy Committee
pda-advocacy@mit.edu

• Infinite Connection

Alumni Committee Chair

pda-alumni@mit.edu
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 Professional Development
Committee
pda-professional@mit.edu

Small group mentoring

- Entrepreneurship (check out Venture Mentoring Services)
- Professorship (check out Teaching and Learning Lab)
- Consulting (consulting club)
- Patent Law (IAP course)
- Industry
- Etc

Watch your email!

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PDA Community and Sports

Weekly soccer/volleyball/basketball
All abilities and experiences welcome!

Games are usually followed by a trip to

the pub.

Facebook group
https://pda.mit.edu/events/sports-events/

pda-community@mit.edu
pda-sports@mit.edu

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Sports at MIT
• Z-Centre & Alumni Centre
$150 discount for postdoc associates

• departmental sports
• Club Sports

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Music at MIT
The MIT Laptop Ensemble
Thursday, November 21st, 8pm
Indigenous to the Net: A Concert of
• Practice Space Collaborative Electronic Music

• Groups
• Concerts (many free!)

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 Fundrai$ing

1. The MIT PDA Vendor Fair

2. Scientific PowerPoint Karaoke
~25% of the PDA’s yearly budget

pda-fundraising@mit.edu

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 Stay Connected, Be Involved
MIT Postdoc Listserv (announcements and a weekly PDA newsletter)
postdocs.mit.edu/join-postdoc-mailing-list
MIT Postdoc Forum
mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/postdocforum

MIT PDA Bulletin Board at the Stata Center

Twitter | @MITPDA
Facebook | MIT Postdocs

PDA elections are in August, but

it’s never too late to be involved!
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Groups for Everyone!

• qtPhDs @ MIT: LGBTQ+ postdocs

• Parents: link
• Spouses and Partners: link
• International postdocs:
• international postdoc survival guide
• International Scholars Office (tax/visa help!)
• Religious groups of all types

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Housing Resources

• Housing Resources and Tips:

http://postdocs.mit.edu/home/campus-services-resources-and-tips/hou
sing

On-campus Housing
• intended for MIT undergraduate and graduate students. Postdocs may
only apply for on-campus housing via fall and spring waiting lists.
• http://studentlife.mit.edu/housing/graduate-family-housing/get-housing/
housing-visitors

Off-campus Housing
• https://www.mitoffcampus.com/
• Or https://www.harvardhousingoffcampus.com/ (same website)
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 Life Resources

MIT Work-Life Center

(Work/life balance, childcare/parenting, senior care, etc)

Community Wellness at MIT

Need someone to talk to?

Need legal or financial advice? Searching for daycare or a good night’s
sleep? Looking for a counselor to assist with a personal or family
challenge? Call MyLife Services. You’ll consult with Master’s and Ph.D.-
level professionals who offer guidance, share resources, and provide
referrals. All consultations are confidential and provided at no cost.
844-405-LIFE (844-405-5433)
(TTY) 866-892-7162

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Misc. MIT

• MIT Tours (admissions-oriented, tourist)

• Student-led Harvard Tours

• MIT Facts

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Discounts

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IAP: Independent Activities Period

Free courses
in January

http://student.
mit.edu/iap/nct
oc.html

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Want more?

PING: Postdoc Initiative Grant

Create your own initiative at MIT

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Good luck!

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