Postdoc FAQs
Check out our list of the most common questions Postdocs and Associate Research Scientists have at all stages of their journey at Columbia University.
FAQs
All newly appointed Postdocs and Associate Research Scientists are generally added to OPA’s listserv based on monthly lists provided by Columbia University Human Resources. If you are not receiving OPA’s weekly emails, or if you have previously unsubscribed, please email [email protected] so we can ensure you are added to the appropiate listserv.
Our office hosts a monthly orientation for newly appointed Postdocs and Associate Research Scientists. Please check our calendar and weekly communications for upcoming dates and registration details. Additionally, you can consult the Handbook or the “New Postdocs” section on our landing page for more information.
Our office hosts a monthly orientation for newly appointed Postdocs and Associate Research Scientists. Please check our calendar and weekly communications for upcoming dates and registration details.
Columbia reserves a small number of University apartments for postdoc housing. Only postdocs approved by their school or department are eligible for this University housing. University housing policies and procedures differ based on the campus on which your department of appointment is located.
You can learn more about the housing lottery and can find the housing application on the CUIMC Housing Lottery page.
For all questions regarding the CUIMC Housing Lottery, contact the Housing Leasing Manager, Noemi Bueno at 212-304-7008.
*Residency Fellows: CUIMC only provides housing to newly appointed Postdoctoral Residency Fellows who graduated from the University and resided in CUIMC student housing immediately prior to their appointment. Individuals occupying single student designated housing are re-assigned to a campus studio apartment.
Housing for postdocs working at select departments within the Morningside, Lamont and Manhattanville Campuses is handled by Columbia Residential.
You can learn more about housing on the Housing and Benefits section of our website. This page has links to off-campus housing resources.
Please make sure to attend the Human Resource new employee orientation, which is separate from OPA’s orientation. The HR orientation goes into more detail about the benefits available to you at Columbia and your enrollment options. The Human Resource offices at the Morningside Campus and the Medical School Campus each run their own new employee orientation (the one on the Medical Campus is called the "Welcome Program"). Please click on the appropriate link below to obtain the orientation schedule. It is strongly recommended that postdoctoral research scientists/scholars attend one of these sessions within 30 days of their start date.
You can also email [email protected] for specific benefits-related questions.
We offer 1-on-1 appointments to Postdocs and ARSs who:
- would like to discuss their career goals/exploration
- would like a career counselor to review their CV/resume and/or cover letter
- would like help preparing for an interview
- would like help negotiating a job offer
Please email OPA at [email protected].
The Office for Postdoctoral Affairs and Early Career Research collaborates with other schools and programs at Columbia University to offer some programs that provide certifications that may be necessary for specific grant requirements. Postdocs who participate in the Columbia University IDP Program and would like to earn a Certificate of Program Completion can do so by filling out the IDP submission form and attending at least three IDP Program events. Program participants are encouraged to provide feedback about their experience by filling out the IDP evaluation form.
By participating in the Office of Research Compliance and Training’s Hot Topics in Responsible and Ethical Conduct or Research training series for postdocs, postdocs can earn required hours of RCR training for NIH.
To file your annual Conflict of Interest disclosure, go to Rascal and select "Conflict of Interest." For more information on Financial Conflicts of Interest and Research, including links to the CU policy and FAQs, see here.
Yes! Many of our career development and wellness workshops and events have been recorded and are accessible to postdocs anytime on our recorded workshops page.
In addition, postdocs can take advantage of various on-demand resources, including Beyond the Professoriate, ImaginePhD, MyIDP, and the IDP Career Planning Worksheet.
For our Academic Application & Early Career Success Series, the majority of materials (including recorded sessions and presentation slides) from previous years are accessible via Canvas. Email [email protected] to gain access to these materials on Canvas.
Postdocs can schedule 1-on-1 wellness appointments to develop wellness goals or discuss resources that may be helpful in meeting specific wellness needs. Additionally, PIs or other faculty and staff members are able to schedule individual appointments to discuss postdoctoral wellness needs.
Please email OPA to schedule an individual wellness appointment at [email protected].
Yes! Postdocs can take advantage of additional University wellness resources, as well as external mental health and wellness resources. For any additional wellness questions, you can contact OPA at [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
You can learn more on our Grants Support for Postdocs webpage and Columbia’s Find Funding webpage.
Our office is not able to provide assistance with tax-related questions, but if you would like to talk to someone about taxes 1:1, you can make a free appointment with a financial specialist through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). All Postdocs have access to the EAP, whose services include short-term confidential counseling, financial counseling, wellness resources, and tools to help be successful in the workplace. Here is the website: https://humanresources.columbia.edu/content/employee-assistance-program
Username: Columbia
Password: eap
Be sure to be clear about questions/concerns in the initial appointment booking call so the EAP can assign a specialist who will be knowledgeable about the tax situation.
The University has two International Students and Scholars Offices that provide assistance to postdocs coming to Columbia from outside of the United States. The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) assists the Morningside, CUIMC and Lamont campuses and offers full advisory services every day. In addition to providing immigration support, they also host workshops, programs, and social and cultural events. International students and scholars with questions or requests concerning visas, immigration, travel, employment, and/or other matters related to their stay at Columbia are welcome to walk in to speak to a Program Officer.
International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) Morningside
3280 Broadway, Nash Building,
5th Floor, Room 510
New York, NY 10027
Click here for specific advisor contact information to schedule an appointment
International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) CUIMC
Black Building, 650 W 168th Street
1st Floor, Room 130
New York, NY 10032
Telephone: 212-305-8165
For assistance, please visit the ISSO CUIMC page and follow the email assistance instructions.
All candidates for postdoctoral appointments who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must obtain a visa prior to starting their appointment at the University. Therefore, visa issues must be addressed prior to the issuance of a letter of appointment or an offer of an extension of an appointment.
The ISSO assists international students and scholars with, among other things, documentation matters. ISSO’s website contains a wealth of information for international postdoctoral applicants. All non-U.S. citizen postdocs should visit its site here and follow the links under “VISAS and TRAVEL FOR SCHOLARS (PROFESSORS AND RESEARCHERS).”
Immigration documentation is handled by ISSO. If you are here on a J-1 visa with Columbia sponsorship, the name and address of the appropriate University office is on your Form DS-2019 (issued by the Department of Homeland Security/SEVIS) provided with your visa information.
Although some requests for documentation submitted to ISSO may be filled on the spot, it is prudent to allow at least five business days for processing. Please bring your passport and all relevant immigration documentation (including your Form DS-2019) with you when you go to ISSO for information or document processing.
Each postdoc is responsible for maintaining his or her appropriate status with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and knowing and following pertinent regulations. Postdocs should familiarize themselves with their obligations to DHS by visiting the DHS website. If you hold a J-1 visa, you may also visit the ISSO website for J-1 Scholars. If you are uncertain about your status, check with the ISSO immediately. Also, consult with ISSO before visiting the District Office of the U.S. Immigration Service.
The Columbia University Postdoctoral Hardship Support Fund provides financial assistance to Employees, covered under the collective bargaining agreement, with a temporary hardship due to an unexpected medical emergency (e.g., medical, dental, prescription, and vision expenses for themselves or their covered dependents causing financial hardship) or other unanticipated expenses causing financial hardship. Please visit OPA's Postdoctoral Hardship Support Fund website for additional information and deadlines.