Benefits

Health Benefits and Dental Coverage

A Postdoc's health benefits can be determined, in large part, by his/her title. 

A Postdoctoral Research Scientist/Scholar and any Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow who is a full-time Assistant in the Clinical Department, as an employee, has fringe benefit costs charged to his/her salary and is able to choose among various healthcare plans offered to all other employees at the University. For more information about the various healthcare plans and the monthly pre-tax contribution costs for medical coverage, please visit to the Human Resources website and review the “Officers” tab under the "Your Benefits" subheading at:

https://humanresources.columbia.edu/health

A Postdoctoral Research Fellow and any Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow* on a stipend is not considered an employee. Fellows can receive the United Healthcare Choice Plus 80 for a low fixed fee per month for both individual plans and family plans. Full fellows benefits can be found here:

https://humanresources.columbia.edu/pdfellowsmedical

Time Off

Postdoctoral Research Scientists/Scholars and Postdoctoral Clinical Fellows (f/t AiC), earn two days of vacation for each month of appointment, up to a maximum of twenty-three days. They are eligible for all University Holidays. Periods of leave are excluded in determining vacation privileges. Vacation time may not be accumulated beyond June 30 of the year following the one in which it was earned. Unused vacation cannot be translated into monetary pay except upon termination of appointment.

Postdoctoral Research Fellows are entitled to the same rights to vacation as postdoctoral research scientists/scholars unless the provisions of the granting agency specify otherwise.

Office of Work/Life

The Office of Work/Life at Columbia offers a variety of programs and resources to help Columbia faculty, postdocs, research scientists, staff, and students better manage their work and life responsibilities. These resources include the Breastfeeding Support Program, School and Child Care Search Service, Back-Up Care, Housing Information and Referral Service, Spouse/Partner Dual Career Services, Employee Assistance Program, Wellness programs, and more.
 

American Language Program (ALP)

All postdocs are eligible for tuition exemption for one part-time program per semester through the American Language Program (excludes activity fee, instructional support fee, and technology fee). Tuition exemption instructions can be found here. Postdocs are currently eligible for any of the three Part-Time English Programs. You can apply to this program online or by emailing the admissions director at [email protected]. Please refer to this document regarding the medical insurance waiver. 

Extras

This is a listing of discounts you can utilize with your Columbia ID or UNI. 

Purchasing – Many services such as airlines, car rentals, and computer retailers provide discounts to Columbia affiliates.

CU Arts Initiative – Receive discounts for Broadway shows and movie tickets.

Working Advantage – Provides discounts and reward programs. Sign up for the weekly mailing list to receive updates on local discounts. Columbia’s Corporate ID is 99042065.