Getting Started

The Postdoc Advisory Council has pulled together some orientation materials that we hope will be helpful to incoming postdocs at large. Specific departments, labs, and research centers may have more detailed instructions before or upon arrival. Click here to access a pdf version of the Information Guide for Entering Postdocs.

In addition, the following items may serve as a quick reference:

MIT ID number: Your ID number is automatically generated when Human Resources processes the paperwork for your appointment. Your appointment papers are handled by the department/lab/center where you will be working. Check with the headquarters office of your unit or with your faculty member. They will be able to get your ID number. You need your ID number in order to get an email account and an MIT ID card.

Getting an MIT ID card

Register for an Email account

Certificates: Certificates are needed to acesss secure Web services at MIT, such as Benefits, CaseTracker which is used by computing help, MIT's electronic purchasing system and the new HR employee self service. To obtain a certificate, you first need your MIT ID # and then go to http://web.mit.edu/is/help/cert/

Enroll in benefits: Health insurance benefits are available through MIT, based on your appointment status, fellow or associate. For more information, go to the Funding and Benefits section.

Social security number: International scholars often have questions regarding obtaining a social security card. An application for getting a social security card and instructions are here - http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html

Initial paperwork to complete: I9, withholding forms, direct deposit - Some units complete these forms locally and some refer you to the Human Resources Office. Check with your headquarters Office of your local unit. You will need a picture ID and proof of citizenship, or work authorization, in order to complete the I9 form.

Foreign nationals: anyone on an academic appointment (salaried or unsalaried) who is NOT a U.S. citizen or permanent resident must register with the International Scholar's Office, please bring your passport and immigration documents.

Passport (visa) photographs: available for $6 each at the MIT Card Office, W20-021.

Common Acronyms and Abbreviations

At MIT many things are known by either numbers, initials or acronyms. All academic majors and buildings are known by numbers, so for instance Biology is course 7, and 11-268 indicates room 268 on the second floor of building 11. To locate a building or a hall or court by name, go to http://whereis.mit.edu/.

Some departments are just known as EECS, BE or BCS. There are also many acronyms in everyday life at MIT. So you may take the T to work, see your AO in the morning, help train a UROP, walk down the infinite corridor to get your paycheck, stop by OSP to drop off your fellowship application, go to COEUS and EHS training, meet with your PI, plan an IAP activity, buy a book at the Coop, and see a hack on the dome. A complete listing, with definitions of all these and more acronyms and abbreviations, can be found at http://web.mit.edu/acronym

Comments and questions to mitpostdocs-www@mit.edu

MIT Provost's Office     77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 11-268     Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139     (617) 253-0386