Postdoctoral Officers Handbook 2023 Columbia University

Postdoctoral Officers

Handbook

2023

Columbia University

PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY INFORMATION IN

THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT

BETWEEN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

AND INTERNATIONAL UNION, UAW,

AND ITS LOCAL UNION, COLUMBIA POSTDOCTORAL WORKERS-UAW LOCAL 4100,

DATED JULY 1, 2020 – JUNE 30, 2023,

TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER THE HANDBOOK INFORMATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

POSTDOCTORAL APPOINTMENTS 6

INITIAL APPOINTMENT LETTERS 7

AUTHORIZATION FOR EMPLOYMENT 7

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS 8

INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS 9

TASKS TO COMPLETE PRIOR TO OR ARRIVING AT COLUMBIA 9

INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL POSTDOCS 9

COMPLETING REQUIRED EMPLOYEMENT AND TAX FORMS 12

OBTAINING A UNIVERSITY ID CARD 12

ACTIVATING A COLUMBIA UNI, EMAIL, AND DOMAIN 13

ENROLLING IN HEALTH BENEFITS 13

JOINING THE POSTDOC EMAIL LISTSERV 14

COMPLETING REQUIRED TRAININGS 15

ORIENTATION 15

LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY 15

NEIGHBORHOODS TO LIVE IN 16

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HOUSING 16

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING 18

TEMPORARY HOUSING 18

CELL PHONES 19

UTILITIES (ELECTRICITY, PHONE, CABLE TV, INTERNET) 19

BANKING AND CREDIT CARDS 20

SAFETY AND SECURITY 21

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MAPS 22

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS 22

CHILD CARE AND SCHOOLING 24

COMPENSATION, TAXES, BENEFITS, DISCOUNTS, AND RESOURCES 26

COMPENSATION 26

TAXES 26

BENEFITS 28

HEATH COVERAGE

MENTAL HEALTH AND GRIEF COUNSELING 29

DENTAL COVERAGE 30

TIME OFF (VACATION, SICK TIME, PERSONAL DAYS, AND UNIVERSITY HOLIDAYS) 30

BIRTH PARENT, PARENTAL, AND CHILD CARE (OR DEPENDENT CARE) LEAVE 31

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT AND LACTATION ROOMS 33

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS 33

BACK-UP CARE

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

LIFE INSURANCE

STUDENT LOAN DEFFERAL

AMERICAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM

GYM FACILITIES

LIBRARIES

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ARTS INITIATIVE

WORK/LIFE AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

BUSINESS CARDS

CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELLNESS 37

OVERVIEW OF POSTDOCTORAL CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 37

COURSES, WORKSHOPS, AND SERIES 38

NETWORKING AND EMPLOYER EVENTS 38

OSTDOC RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

CAREER COUNSELING SERVICES 38

POSTDOC CAREER NETWORK (PCN) 38

POSTDOCTORAL WELLNESS 39

COMMUNICATIONS ON OPA PROGRAMMING AND SERVICES 39

TEACHING AND INTERNSHIPS 40

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 40

POSTDOC COMMUNITY AND AFFINITY GROUPS 40

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY POSTDOCTORAL SOCIETY (CUPS) 39

URPOSTDOCS 40

POSTDOQS 41

POSTDOC PARENTS AND EXPECTANT PARENTS GROUP 41

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK (CUFSN) 41

WOMEN IN SCIENCE AT COLUMBIA (WISC) 41

SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANTIES POSTDOCS 42

RESEARCH OFFICES AND RESOURCES AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 42

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH 42

CLINICAL TRIALS OFFICE (CTO) 42

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (EH&S) 43

INSTITUTE OF COMPARATIVE MEDICINE (ICM) 43

INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEE (IACUC) 43

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARDS (IRBS) 44

OFFICE OF RESEARCH COMPLIANCE AND TRAINING (ORCT) 44

OFFICE OF RESEARCH INITIATIVES AND DEVELOPMENT (ORID) 44

COLUMBIA TECHNOLOGY VENTURES (CTV) 45

SPONSORED PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION (SPA) 45

SPONSORED PROJECTS FINANCE (SPF) 45

TRAINING FINDER AND RASCAL 46

FINDING FUNDING 46

UNIVERSITY POLICIES 46

RULES OF UNIVERSITY CONDUCT 47

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT 47

PATENTS AND INVENTIONS 48

MISCONDUCT IN RESEARCH 49

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR POSTDOC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 49

USE OF THE UNIVERSITY’S NAME 50

SMOKING, ALCOHOL, AND DRUG USE 50

COMPLIANCE 51

PI WAIVER 53

OMBUDS OFFICE 54

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES 5

TERMINATIONS 55

Postdoctoral Appointments

A postdoc is an individual holding a doctoral degree who is engaged in a temporary period of

mentored research and/or scholarly training for the purpose of acquiring the professional skills

needed to pursue a career path of their choosing.

While rare, some appointments are made to

individuals of greater experience who wish to retrain themselves for careers in a new discipline

or specialty. Postdocs work under the guidance of a principal investigator who may be a faculty

member or an officer of research.

Effective January 1, 2022, schools, departments, centers, and institutes will no longer need to

request fourth- and fifth-year extensions from the Provost for Postdoctoral Research Scientists,

Postdoctoral Research Scholars, Postdoctoral Research Fellows, or Postdoctoral Clinical

Fellows. These postdoctoral researchers can be reappointed for a maximum of five years,

including all periods as either a full-time or part-time postdoc at Columbia or other institutions.

Postdocs appointed for five years will not be eligible for extensions. Should schools,

departments, centers, or institutes want them to continue beyond five years, an appropriate

affirmative action search will need to be conducted for an Associate Research Scientist/Scholar

position. Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) will not grant waivers for them to be

appointed as Associate Research Scientists/Scholars. It is expected that the postdoc will either

leave to take a position outside the University or have their appointment terminated unless they

are selected for an Associate Research Scientist/Scholar position upon the completion of an

open affirmative action search.

Postdoctoral Appointments

There are four grades of postdoctoral appointment at Columbia University. Please note that

OPA does not support Postdoctoral Resident Fellows or ACGME Postdoctoral Clinical Fellows.

Postdoctoral Research Scientists/Scholars (PDRS) are recent recipients of the doctorate, or its

professional equivalent, who come to the University to continue their training, or individuals of

greater experience who wish to retrain themselves in a new discipline or specialty. PDRSs may

be appointed for full- or part-time service for a term of up to twelve months at a time. PDRSs

are paid a salary through the Office of the Controller or by an affiliated hospital or institute.

Postdoctoral Research Fellows (PDF) are recent recipients of the doctorate, or its professional

equivalent, who have won fellowships, grants, or awards, usually from external agencies, to

continue their training at the University, or individuals of greater experience who have won

fellowships, grants, or awards permitting them to retrain themselves in a new discipline or

specialty. PDFs may be appointed for full- or part-time service for a term of up to twelve months

at a time. PDFs are generally not paid a salary; instead, they usually receive fellowship

stipends, either through the University or directly from an external funding agency.

Postdoctoral Clinical Fellows (PCF) are recent recipients of the doctorate, who come to the

University to gain additional clinical training after completing their residency, or individuals of

greater experience who wish to change clinical specialties. PCFs may be appointed for full- or

part-time service for a term of up to twelve months at a time. PCFs may simultaneously hold

Definition of postdoc created by the National Postdoctoral Association with acceptance of definition from

both the NIH and NSF.

appointments as officers of instruction of the rank of “Assistant in Clinical (Department)”.

Depending upon the source of funding, one of these appointments will be full-time and the

other, part-time. When a PCF receives a stipend, the appointment as a postdoctoral clinical

fellow is full-time and the Assistant in Clinical (Department) is part-time. The reverse is true

when the individual is paid a salary.

Postdoctoral Residency Fellows (PRF) hold the doctorate of Medicine, Dental Medicine or

Dental Surgery and are enrolled in programs at affiliated hospitals and institutes for the purpose

of obtaining additional clinical training before embarking on independent careers as physicians

and dentists. They may be appointed for part-time service for a term of up to twelve months.

The appointment is renewable annually so long as the PRF continues in a training program.

Initial Appointment Letters

The University will provide selected postdoc candidates with a letter of appointment. All postdoc

candidates should review their offer letter from their mentor prior to their arrival on campus. The

letter must clearly state the terms of the proposed future working relationship. Please be sure it

includes the following information:



Exact title of position offered and an indication of whether the appointment is full-time or

part-time;



Effective dates of appointment. If the appointment is anticipated last for more than one

year, the letter should indicate the number of years for which it can be renewed. It

should also state that the end date of the appointment may be affected by the

individual’s visa expiration date (if any) and/or terms of a sponsored project;



Exact amount of stipend or salary. If compensation is through a stipend, the letter must

also indicate the source of funds, such as a notice of award;



Name of the anticipated advisor;



Department or academic/research unit;



Contact information for the department administrator;



Anticipated work location



Specific role in the anticipated research project;



Teaching responsibilities, if any;



URL for benefit information;



Any additional information pertinent to the appointment.

The letter should be signed by the postdoc’s mentor, the appropriate chair of the department or

director of an institute/center and proper dean or vice president, as required.

Authorization for Employment

A postdoctoral research scientist/scholar is required to produce documentation that he/she is

either a US citizen or authorized to be employed in the United States; this requirement is

satisfied by completion of the government-issued Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9

Form) no later than the first day of work. This form is available from your department

administrator or online and must be returned to him/her on or prior to your first day of work.

Postdoctoral research fellows, clinical fellows, and residency fellows are not required to sign an

I-9 form.

Social Security Numbers

A social security number (SSN) is required in order to lawfully work in the United States and

receive a salary. To get a SSN or a replacement card, you must prove your U.S. citizenship or

immigration status, age, identity, and employment eligibility. Only certain documents are

accepted as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include:



U.S. birth certificate



U.S. passport



Certificate of Naturalization



Certificate of Citizenship

If you are not a U.S. citizen, different rules apply for proving your immigration status. Under the

current law, only certain documents can be accepted as proof of identity. If you do not have a

SSN, the Social Security Administration’s website provides detailed information about the

application process and acceptable proofs of identity.

Once you have applied for a SSN you will be given a receipt. Bring this receipt to your

departmental administrator for their use in preparing the paperwork for your appointment. Once

you receive your official card from Social Security Administration, give your department

administrator a copy so that your records can be updated properly and the appropriate

paperwork filed.

Social Security offices are located throughout the City and are typically open from 9:00 am to

4:00 pm, Monday through Friday except on legal holidays. Apply at the office in the area where

you live.

Manhattan residents must apply at:

123 William Street, 3

Floor

New York, NY 10038

1-800-772-1213

Brooklyn residents must apply at:

Brooklyn Social Security Card Center

154 Pierrepont Street, 6

Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Queens residents must apply at:

Queens Social Security Card Center

155-10 Jamaica Avenue, 2nd Floor

Jamaica, NY 11432

Bronx residents must apply at:

820 Concourse Village West, 2

Floor

Bronx, NY 10451

Northern NJ residents must apply at:

Continental Plz, 2

floor

401 Hackensack Ave

Hackensack, NJ 07601

1-866-964-4680

The employee should bring their passport, I-94 card, the I-797 Notice of Approval or DS-2019

(for those in J-1 status), and a letter from the hiring department to the Social Security

Administration office. It will take approximately three weeks to obtain a Social Security card from

Social Security Administration.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the

Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS issues ITINs to foreign nationals and others who are

required to have a US taxpayer identification number for US tax returns and payment

responsibilities under the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., those who are to receive stipends only),

but who are not eligible for a SSN.

ITINs are for federal tax reporting only and are not intended to serve any other purpose. An ITIN

does not authorize you to work in the United States or provide eligibility for Social Security

benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Examples of individuals who need ITINs include:



Non-resident alien filing a U.S. tax return and not eligible for an SSN;



U.S. resident alien (based on days present in the United States) filing a U.S. tax return

and not eligible for SSN;



Dependent or spouse of a U.S. citizen/resident alien;



Dependent or spouse of a non-resident alien visa holder



Nonresident alien student, professor or researcher filing a U.S. tax return or claiming an

exception

Please visit the IRS website for additional information.

Tasks to Complete Prior to or After Arriving at Columbia

Information for International Scholars

The University has two International Students and Scholars Offices that provide assistance to

postdocs coming to Columbia from outside of the United States. Representatives from these

offices work with more than 14,000 students and scholars from more than 140 countries and are

aware that adjusting to a new environment is neither easy nor the same for each person.

International postdocs should contact the International Students and Scholars Office, which has

locations affiliated with all campuses.

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

Website: www.columbia.edu/cu/isso

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

Website: www.columbia.edu/cu/isso

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. ISSO holds an orientation that is

highly encouraged for postdocs on a J-1 visa; contact their office or view their website for

upcoming orientation dates. 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.

It is very important to become familiar with the following terms, as they are mentioned frequently

throughout an international postdoc’s time in the United States.

Visa: A U.S. visa is an entry document. You can apply for an entry visa only at U.S. consulate

or embassy outside the United States. It is placed on a page in your passport and certifies that

the consular officer has found you eligible to apply for admission at a U.S. port of entry in a

particular classification, such as F-1 student, J-1 research scholar, or H-1B assistant professor.

Passport: All postdocs must keep their passports valid at least six months into the future at all

times. Extensions can be obtained through the nearest consulate or embassy of your country.

The ISSO will provide any appropriate documents that various governments may require.

Entry Visa: The entry visa is a machine-readable stamp in your passport issued by a U.S.

consul abroad. It authorizes postdocs to apply for admission into the United States at a port of

entry. All international scholars (with the exception of Canadian nationals) are required to have

a valid entry visa in their passport at the time of entry into the United States. Your visa specifies

the type of immigration status you will hold (H-1, J-1, etc.), the date until which you may enter

the United States, and the number of entries you may make before you must apply for a new

entry visa. The length of validity of each visa type is determined by an agreement between your

home country and the U.S. government and is not necessarily tied to the length of your program

of study.

Application for a new entry visa must be made in person at a U.S. consulate outside the United

States. The validity period of your entry visa does not determine the length of time you may

remain in the United States after you enter. Your length of stay is determined by the completion

date on your DS-2019 or your Form I-94 (see below) expiration date, whichever is earlier.

Form I-94 : This is a record of your nonimmigrant status and permission to stay in the United

States. The I-94 card is the most important immigration document as it establishes a postdocs’

J-1, H-1 or O-1 immigration status. The I-94 card also notes the date and port of arrival in the

United States and the expiration date of the visa. The notation “D/S,” indicating “Duration of

Status,” refers to the completion date on the certificate of eligibility (the DS-2019) given to those

who wish to enter the United States in J-1 status. Those in H-1 or O status have a specific date

by which they must either (1) leave the United States, (2) extend their status, or (3) change to

another status. The Form I-94 is also called the Arrival/Departure form because each time you

enter the United States you receive a new form, and each time you leave the country you

surrender your I-94. Only in the case of short trips of fewer than thirty days to Canada, Mexico,

and parts of the Caribbean do you keep this form. The I-94 is an important form and it is difficult

to replace; we recommend that you make a photocopy of both sides of the form to keep

separately in case you need to replace it.

Immigration Status: This status (e.g. H-1, J-1 or O-1) is determined at the time of entry into the

United States by an immigration official and is noted on the Form I-94. Unlike your entry visa,

your immigration status may be changed in the United States.

H-1: This visa classification applies to persons in a specialty occupation that requires the

theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge requiring

completion of a specific course of higher education. The H-1 requires a labor attestation issued

by the Secretary of Labor and also applies to government-to-government research and

development, or co-production projects administered by the Department of Defense. Those in

H-1 status are allowed to stay a total of six years in H status, but will only be approved for a

maximum of three years at a time, at that point the postdoc will have to reapply to renew their H-

1 visa status.

J-1: This visa is given to individuals who take part in a wide range of exchange visitor programs

sponsored by schools, businesses, and a variety of organizations and institutions. A majority of

postdocs at Columbia University are on J-1 visas. A postdoc is allowed to stay for up to three

consecutive years with a J-1. Postdocs and any dependents with this visa status are not allowed

to return to the United States in J-1 status for twelve months if the postdoc has been in the

United States for more than six months in any J-1 status category within the last year and is not

“extending” their status or “transferring” from one program to another based on the Exchange

Visitor Program’s definition of “extending” or “transferring.”

O-1: This visa classification applies to persons who have extraordinary ability in the sciences,

arts, education, business, or athletics, or extraordinary achievements in the motion picture and

television field. O status can initially be granted for three years and can be renewed indefinitely

in one-year increments by application to Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Those entering the United States to work should request the appropriate status (H-1, O-1) at the

border once an I-797 approval notice has been received from DHS. Otherwise, you will be in

Tourist (B-2) status and cannot be employed at Columbia. Canadians must have an I-94 card to

confirm current H-1 or O-1 status, which is given by an immigration official at the time of entry

into the United States. Applicants for an H-1 or O-1 visa will need their country’s passport and

the original Form I-797 approval notice or a cable sent to the consulate stating that the

requested status has been approved.

Completing Required Employment and Tax Forms

New postdocs will need to complete several employment and tax forms either prior to their start

date or soon thereafter. Postdocs should consult with their faculty mentor and departmental

administrator on which forms need to be completed. Depending on the postdoctoral

appointment type, a postdoc may need to complete an I-9 employment verification form, a W-4

tax form, as well as one or more other tax forms that can be found on the HR website. It should

be noted that the I-9 employment verification form requires multiple forms of ID (e.g. driver’s

license or passport). It is also typical for a postdoc to be required to sign hiring paperwork

and/or return a signed copy of their official offer letter.

Obtaining a University ID Card

You should plan to pick up your University ID card on your first day on campus. You must

upload a photo for your ID card prior to coming to campus to pick up the card. In addition to

being your official employment ID, it is also used to borrow library books, gain admittance to

campus buildings, ride University inter-campus shuttle buses, and utilize the gym. Anyone

obtaining a University ID card for the first time must show a valid passport or U.S. ID.

Morningside ID Office Hours

210 Kent Hall Monday: 9am-5pm

1140 Amsterdam Ave Tuesday: 9am-4pm

212.854.4400 Wednesday: 9am-5pm

MSD ID Office Website Thursday: 9am-5pm

[email protected] Friday: 9am-5pm

CUIMC ID Office Hours

Physicians and Surgeons Monday: 9am-5pm

630 West 168th Street, Room 1-405C Tuesday: 9am-5pm

212.305.0238 Wednesday: 9am-5pm

Thursday: 9am-5pm

Friday: 9am-5pm

Activating a Columbia UNI, Email, and Obtaining Domain Access

Every student, faculty member, and permanent staff member is assigned a University Network

ID (UNI), consisting of your initials plus an arbitrary number. Not only is your UNI your main

Columbia e-mail account (i.e., [email protected]) but it also allows you to access computer

services and electronic resources. You will also need your UNI to gain access to restricted

library information on the Web, Human Resources and other University systems.

As soon as you receive your UNI, please click here to activate your account and set your

password.

All CU faculty, staff and students may select an email alias. A number of choices are offered

based upon a person's name as it appears in the CU Human Resources People @ Columbia

(PAC) or the University Student system (SIS). To select, change, or remove an email alias, visit

the Manage My UNI page. Then click Select or Remove Email Alias.

In order to receive important postdoc information and notices about OPA events, all postdocs

are automatically added to OPA’s email list. If you don’t already receive weekly emails from

OPA, send a request to: [email protected] so you can be added to our email

list.

On the Medical Campus, domain accounts are used to log in to a work computer that has been

connected to a "domain" or network and connected resources, such as a shared drive. Access

to your departmental network or server (generally the logon you will use for your work computer

itself) requires that you have a Domain Account assigned to you. Please contact CUIT for

further information on this process.

Once your postdoc appointment ends, you may only have a limited grace period with your

Columbia email account before it is closed. You may submit a request to the CUIT helpdesk to

have an auto-response put into place for six months. In this case, no email is actually forwarded

to your new email address but the sender will receive an auto-message telling the sender your

new email address at which they can reach you.

Enrolling in Health Benefits

Enrolling in health as well as other benefits must occur within 31 days of an appointment start

date at Columbia University. Please see the ‘Compensation, Taxes, Benefits, and Health

Coverage’ sections of this handbook for further information.

Joining the Postdoc Email Listservs

OPA maintains a central email listserv that all postdocs in the University are automatically

added to within a few weeks of starting at Columbia University. OPA does not allow postdocs to

be removed from this listserv, as this is the only conduit with which important announcements

and policy updates can be communicated across the postdoc community. New postdocs

should reach out to OPA ([email protected]) if they are not receiving weekly

emails from OPA so that they can be added to the listserv.

In addition to the main postdoc listserv, postdocs may wish to join one of the four following

mailing lists, which will give them the ability to send and receive messages within the group:

[email protected]

Share, plan and discuss social events going on at Columbia or around the city. Connect with

other CU postdocs. Invite other postdocs to attend social activities and events around New York

City, or alert the community when something is happening at Columbia that is not hosted by

OPA.

[email protected]

Do you have a piece of equipment that you are not using in your lab? Do you need something,

but don’t know where to get it, or don’t want to spend a lot of money purchasing something?

Send an email to this list to see if anyone can help you out. Of course, all exchanges should be

legal and allowed by your lab or PI. OPA does not endorse selling/collecting money through

these lists.

[email protected]

Get in touch with other postdocs who have children and families. Learn about events and social

activities for parents, and kid-friendly events for families. Exchange opinions and

recommendations for babysitters, schools, after school activities, etc.

[email protected]

Are you moving? Looking for housing? Post here and see if other members of the postdoc

community have any information to share!

To Sign Up for the Mailing Lists:

Visit the following link(s) corresponding to the list(s) you would like to join.

https://lists.columbia.edu/mailman/listinfo/postdoc_social

https://lists.columbia.edu/mailman/listinfo/postdoc_equipment

https://lists.columbia.edu/mailman/listinfo/postdoc_families

https://lists.columbia.edu/mailman/listinfo/postdoc_housing

Fill out the form at the website, and submit it. Subscription to these lists requires approval, and

you will be notified once our office approves your subscription. If you are using a non-Columbia

email address, please also send an email to [email protected] to alert us.

Once you are member, you will receive emails from other members. To send an email to the

mailing lists, simply write an email to the appropriate email address (listed above).

To unsubscribe, visit the same website you used to subscribe to the mailing list. Scroll to the

bottom of the page, where you will see an unsubscribe option.

Completing Required Trainings

Nearly every postdoc at Columbia will be required to undergo in person or online trainings to be

in compliance with University, government, and funder regulations, particularly if they will be

conducting research involving radiation, lasers, chemicals, animals, humans or human samples.

Beyond required research related trainings, postdocs may need to complete University-

mandated trainings, including a compliance training on HIPAA Privacy (mandatory for CUIMC

staff), which can be found by clicking here.

Postdocs can identify which research related trainings they may be obligated to undergo by

filling out the form in Training Finder (you will need an active UNI to access this) and completing

the trainings in person or through RASCAL, as indicated.

Orientation

OPA hosts postdoc orientations in large groups as well as in one-on-one sessions. Large group

orientations are announced on the events calendar section of the OPA website as well as in the

OPA Weekly Digest email. New postdocs from any campus are welcome to attend any of the

larger OPA-hosted orientations or may schedule a one-on-one orientation with Zammy Diaz

Lebron by emailing her at: [email protected].

Living in New York City

As with any institution in the New York Metropolitan area, finding affordable housing is an

ongoing challenge. At Columbia University, housing is available for postdocs. However, as

University-owned housing is very limited, it is not guaranteed to postdocs. The University does

provide some assistance in locating off-campus housing.

Only individuals holding titles of Postdoctoral Research Scientists/Scholars and Postdoctoral

Research Fellows are eligible to apply for University housing.

Rent prices can vary widely in and around NYC. As a point of reference only, a typical monthly

rent cost for a Columbia University postdoc living on or off-campus without roommates in a

studio apartment might be between $1450 and $2000. Postdocs living with one or more

roommates in a shared apartment on or off campus might typically pay as their share of monthly

rent between $800 and $1300. It should be noted, though, that rent prices can easily exceed

$2000 per month for many apartments depending on the apartment location, apartment size,

and amenities. Postdocs typically live on the Upper West Side, Morningside Heights, Harlem,

Hudson Heights, Washington Heights, or Inwood. A number of postdocs live in other

neighborhoods of Manhattan, or commute to campus from Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx,

Westchester County, or from New Jersey.

Neighborhoods to Live In

Upper West Side (UWS)

Spanning from Central Park West to the Hudson River and 60th to 96th Streets, the UWS has a

distinct laid-back atmosphere attributed to the large student and artist population. Three major

subway lines (1/2/3/A/C/B/D) run through the UWS, making it easily accessible to the rest of the

City.

Morningside Heights

Bounded by Riverside Park to the west and Morningside Park to the east, Morningside Heights

runs from 110th Street to 122nd Street. Although it is inextricably linked to Columbia University,

it has retained its connections to neighboring Harlem. The 1 subway line provides quick access

between Columbia’s Morningside and Medical Center campuses.

Washington Heights/Inwood

Covering the entire northernmost part of Manhattan (anything north of 168th Street),

Washington Heights and Inwood are two of the most affordable neighborhoods in Manhattan.

They appeal to many who seek lower housing costs and beautiful parks. The A/C/1 subway

lines allow reasonable commutes to lower Manhattan.

Riverdale

Over the recent years, Riverdale has attracted many families from Manhattan. It is a part of the

Bronx, immediately north of Manhattan, and one can easily access the city via the 1 subway

line, Metro North Rail and express buses.

Northern New Jersey

Due to the wealth of public transportation, Northern New Jersey has become a less expensive

option for postdocs working at the Medical Center. Towns such as Fort Lee, Leonia, Englewood,

Teaneck and Hackensack are easily accessible to the northern section of Manhattan and are

quick bus ride across the George Washington Bridge. Columbia provides a shuttle bus from

CUIMC to Fort Lee on weekdays. Click here for shuttle bus information.

Whichever neighborhood you decide to live in, it is imperative that you visit (or have someone

visit for you) any room or apartment you are considering renting before you make any

agreements or sign a lease.

Columbia University Housing

All postdoc housing information can also be found on the Postdoctoral Housing Website.

For Postdocs based on the Morningside and Lamont campuses

Columbia Residential maintains housing for postdocs in some departments on the Morningside

and Lamont campuses. Not all departments qualify for Columbia Residential Housing. The

Columbia Residential website provides access to the Columbia housing application and up-to-

date rent rates.

Columbia Residential

401 West 119th Street (between Amsterdam & Morningside Drive)

212.854.9300

Email: [email protected]

residential.columbia.edu

In order to submit a Columbia Residential housing application, you will need to create a Housing

Portal account with an active UNI or personal email address. Columbia Residential receives all

postdoc housing applications and submits them to the appropriate sponsoring department for

review and approval. Housing assignments for postdocs on the Morningside campus are based

on the date of receipt of your housing application and the availability of housing. Housing on the

Morningside campus is limited and not available to postdocs in all departments. You must get

approval from your department in order to qualify. Length of postdoc housing assignments vary

based on department.

For Postdocs on the Medical Campus (CUIMC)

The Office of Housing Services facilitates housing for all postdocs working at the Medical

Center. A random ordering of applications occurs each month and a lottery is then conducted on

the 15

of each month to select assignees. The number of applicants selected is based on the

number of housing units available each month. Current postdocs and new postdocs with a start

date of no more than six weeks after the lottery can participate. To join the lottery, submit a

completed postdoctoral housing application with a letter from your departmental administrator or

sponsor that lists your title and appointment dates to the Office of Housing Services.

Successful applicants are eligible for assignment to University accommodations on either the

Morningside or Medical Center campus and may continue to remain in University housing

throughout the duration of their appointment or up to five years. However, in the event that the

individual’s employment status changes to part-time or to a non-postdoc eligible title he/she will

be required to leave University housing within three months from when their status changes.

Contact Housing Leasing Manager Noemi Bueno at [email protected] or call 212-304-7008

for more information.

The Office of Housing Services is also a resource for owned housing that is not owned by

Columbia and can put you in touch with Columbia-approved management companies and

brokers.

Office of Housing Services

212.304.7000

[email protected]

Housing FAQs

Click here for housing FAQs.

NYP Hospital Housing

CUIMC Postdocs may also be eligible for New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYP) Staff and

Affiliate Housing. These housing units are located around NYP hospital and are managed

independently from the CUIMC Office of Housing Services. NYP housing assignments require

the submission of a housing application form. Interested CUIMC postdocs should contact rcp-

[email protected] or 212-305-2014. The NYP Real Estate Office is located at 600 W. 165th Street,

1H., New York, NY 10032. More information about their housing units can be found by clicking

here.

Off-Campus Housing Assistance (OCHA)

OCHA helps postdocs in their search for rental housing in non- Columbia-owned buildings

located in the metropolitan area. OCHA maintains a website and an online database of available

housing. It also provides contact information for landlords and lower- or no-fee brokers,

temporary housing resources, lease review, and information and advice for the metropolitan

area. They do not operate as a real estate or rental agency and do not charge for their services.

However, some of the apartments listed in the OCHA database may charge a referral fee.

Off-Campus Housing Assistance (OCHA)

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 212-854-9300

Website: https://residential.columbia.edu/offcampushousing

New Postdocs may want to view the housing section of the postdoc affairs website for additional

resources on off-campus housing, including average rental prices around the campuses.

Please note: OCHA does not screen either owners or tenants; apartments are not inspected or

“approved” by Columbia or its employees. The listing of accommodations does not constitute

recommendation of such facilities, nor is the accuracy of the description verified.

Temporary Housing

It may take one or two weeks to find an apartment once you arrive in New York. Unless you

have family or friends who are willing to house you while you are looking, you may need to stay

in a local hotel. Rates range depending on the hotel and time of year. Additionally, new

postdocs may want to explore sublets or rooms for rent through sites such as Airbnb or

Craigslist. Please note: OPA does not endorse any non-University website or service, but is

merely providing these third party sites as examples.

Local Hotels

Columbia has secured preferred rates at a number of local hotels. When making a reservation,

please specify that you are calling from Columbia University and request the University rate.

The preferred rate might not be available on certain dates in the year. Please inquire for those

dates with the individual hotels.

Institutional Guest Rooms

Please note that the following may have a maximum stay of seven nights. Room prices change

seasonally, so please call them directly for the most up-to-date rate information.

International House

500 Riverside Drive (at West 122nd Street)

212.316.8400

https://www.ihouse-nyc.org/

Housing through International House is independent of Columbia Residential and may

be requested directly through the I-House application process. For more information,

please contact I-House directly.

Teachers College – New Residence Hall

517 W 121

212.678.3235

https://www.tc.columbia.edu/housing/student-housing/#tab-10268736

Cell Phones

OPA strongly suggests getting a local cell phone number before you begin your apartment

search. This will make you easy to reach and will maximize your chances of having your calls

returned while looking for an apartment.

Columbia students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive discounts from the following phone

carriers. The account must be in your name to qualify. For more information, click here.

There are two types of cell phone plans currently available in the United States:

Long-term: Purchase a phone; select a plan; and sign a (minimum) one-year contract. Credit

card and social security numbers are usually required. If you do not yet have a social security

number, some carriers will accept an additional deposit.

AT&T www.wireless.att.com 800.331.0500

T-Mobile www.t-mobile.com 800.866.2453

Verizon www.verizonwireless.com 800.225.5499

Short-term: Purchase a pre-paid phone with no contract. You can pay monthly or buy phone

cards with a certain number of minutes and reload the phone as needed.

Metro-PCS www.metropcs.com 888.863.8768

AT&T www.wireless.att.com 800.331.0500

T-Mobile www.t-mobile.com 800.866.2453

Verizon www.verizonwireless.com 800.225.5499

TracFone www.tracfone.com 800.867.7183

Utilities (Electricity, Phone, Cable TV, Internet) in Manhattan

Typically, utilities included in rent are heat and hot/cold water. Electricity, cooking gas, phone,

internet, and cable services are generally not included in rent. You will have to contact the utility

company yourself to activate them once you rent an apartment. Utilities usually cost between

$70 – $100 total per month for a studio apartment; $75 – $125 for a one-bedroom; and $100 –

$125 for a two/three bedroom. You will also need to arrange for cable services if desired. In

some instances, a digital TV antenna may suffice to receive a few local TV stations, though

reception is usually poor in NYC.

Electricity

Con Edison

Phone: 800.752.6633

Website: www.conedison.com

Cable/High-Speed Internet

Spectrum

Phone: 1-855-366-7132

Website: https://www.spectrum.com/

Astound Broadband Powered By RCN

Phone: 800.427.8686

Website: https://www.astound.com/new-york/

Banking

The banks listed below are close to campus. The best way to get information is to visit the

website or walk over in person. In order to open a bank account, please make sure you bring

your Columbia ID and an official form of identification. Some banks will do limited time special

discounts for the Columbia community. Please be sure to inquire when setting up an account.

Morningside Campus:

Chase Manhattan

350 West 125

Street

646.698.0579

Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 am – 5 pm, Saturday: 9 am – 2 pm

**Inquire about free checking for those who have direct deposit. Chase Manhattan also

has an ATM at 2898 Broadway (at 113th Street).

Citibank

2861 Broadway (at 111th Street)

646.434.0374

Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 am – 5 pm, Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm

**This location has 24-hour ATMs.

CUIMC Campus:

Bank of America

4061 Broadway (at West 171

Street), New York, NY 10032

(917) 521-0431

Monday-Friday 10 am – 4 pm

Chase Bank

3940 Broadway, New York, NY 10032

(212) 740-4086

Monday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm, Saturday 9 am – 2 pm.

**Inquire about free checking for those who have direct deposit.

Credit Cards

It is critical in the United States to establish and maintain a good credit history. Credit scores are

checked when leasing an apartment, leasing or purchasing a car, buying an apartment or

house, and even when being considered for a job. It is strongly advised that international

postdocs without a US credit history explore ways to establish a good US credit history while in

their postdoctoral training.

Citibank offers a Citi-Secured MasterCard (secured by an 18-month Certificate of Deposit)

developed to meet the needs of individuals with no established credit or with little credit history,

with or without either SSNs or ITINs. A postdoc can apply for the credit card the same day

he/she opens a new account. In order to apply for a credit card you must be able to provide the

following information:



SSN or ITIN (if applicable)



copy of a passport (that indicates country of issuance, passport #, issue and expiration

date)



current and valid Columbia ID or employee verification



proof of address (phone bill, utility bill, bank statement or letter from school which

provides your current address)



Minimum $1000 on deposit, which means that a postdoc has to have an account with

Citibank.

Citibank also offers a Citi Card for Non-Permanent Resident Aliens. The underlying product is a

Citi ThankYouSM Card and is it specifically designed to meet the needs of Non-Permanent

Resident Alien customers. This is the regular credit card that does not require the security of a

CD. In order to apply for a credit card you must be able to provide the following information:

At least one ID (SSN, ITIN, Passport, National ID Card, or U.S. Driver License)

Letter verifying employment stating applicant name, established home address, phone number,

title/position, date of employment, and salary

In order for the customer to be approved for the Citi Card, the customer must meet one of the

following Banking Reference criteria:



U.S. or non-U.S. Citibank or other U.S. personal bank account for at least 3 months with

a current deposit balance of $1,000 or average balance of $1,000 for the past 3 months.



Other non-U.S. personal bank account that has been open for at least 6 months with a

current deposit balance of $2000.

Safety and Security

The University’s Office of Public Safety is responsible for maintaining campus security. Public

Safety works very hard to continually improve upon the ways in which they serve our

community. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life for the entire Columbia community by

maintaining a secure and open environment in which the safety of all is balanced with the rights

of the individual. You are welcome to visit their website for more information. You can also

contact Public Safety using the phone numbers below.

Morningside: 212.854.2797

Manhattanville: 212.853.3301

Medical Center: 212.305.8100

Emergency Notification

To reach the Department of Public Safety for a security, fire or medical emergency dial:

Morningside: On campus – x4-5555 / Off campus - 212.854.5555

Manhattanville: On campus- x3-3333/ Off campus- 212.853.3333

Medical Center: On and off campus- 212.305.7979

To contact the New York City Police/Fire Department or Ambulance service dial 911.

Walking Alone

The Department of Public Safety provides escorts within the University vicinity. During the

academic year, the Department utilizes trained student escorts to assist with this service

between the hours of 6 pm and 6 am, depending on the campus. At all other times, Public

Safety will dispatch a staff member to escort University affiliates within the designated

surrounding area. A valid Columbia ID is required to obtain an escort. Please allow 10-15

minutes for your escort to arrive.

Morningside Campus: The Morningside Campus has a free, on-demand evening shuttle in

partnership with Via to provide transportation services as an alternative to walking alone at

night. The service ends at 3 am year-round, but start times vary depending on the month. You

can find more information here.

Get a promo code and download the Via app to use the shuttle

Manhattanville Campus: Call 212.853.3301 to request an escort. View this calendar for

operating hours and this map for coverage area.

Columbia University Campus Maps

Morningside Campus Map

Medical Center Map

Manhattanville Map

Transportation Options

Subway and Buses

New York City’s public transportation system runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By using the

extensive subway and bus system, you have access to almost every corner of New York City

and the surrounding boroughs. In 2022, the cost of a single ride on a NYC subway or bus is

$2.75 using a MetroCard, and you can save money by purchasing rides in bulk or by buying 7-

or 30-day unlimited ride MetroCards ($33.00 and $127.00, respectively). There is a $1.00 one-

time fee for purchasing a new MetroCard. Before you arrive on campus, it might be beneficial to

familiarize yourself with the public transportation system. When looking at apartments, take into

consideration how far they are from the subways (1/A/C) that will get you to the Columbia

campuses. A majority of postdocs live within a quick subway ride (or even walk) to campus.

However, depending on where you live in NYC, you may find your commute time can average

20-60 minutes.

Biking and Driving

Biking is another popular way of getting around, especially around the Morningside campus.

Bike riders should always wear a helmet while riding in City traffic and securely lock their bikes

in recommended bike racks with a U-lock.

Owning a car is not recommended if living in NYC, particularly Manhattan, as it is very

expensive to insure a car and parking is very difficult in New York City. Most New York City

residents find the mass transit options more convenient and cheaper than driving a car to meet

their daily commuting needs. Those living outside of NYC will likely find that owning or leasing a

car is desirable or even necessary for shopping and commuting. Depending on where a postdoc

may live outside of NYC, additional mass transit options may exist, including commuter rail

service from Long Island (LIRR), Northern suburbs of NYC (Metro-North), and NJ (NJTransit).

Additionally, postdocs residing close to the Hudson River (NJ), East River (Brooklyn/Queens),

or on Staten Island may find that ferry service is a convenient transportation option to travel to

Manhattan for additional connection to bus and subways to campus.

Metro-North Schedules

Long Island Rail Road Schedules

Staten Island Railway Schedule

NJ Transit Schedules

Ferry Schedules

Columbia Shuttles

Columbia offers seven shuttle services (six of which are free) for anyone with a valid Columbia

ID. If the bus is not filled to capacity, it will typically take anyone else traveling between

campuses. Shuttle locations should also be considered when searching for an apartment as

they provide transportation for a route that may not be directly along a subway or bus line. Maps

and shuttle routes can be found online here.

Download the Passio Go! App to track where Columbia’s shuttles are from your wireless or wifi-

enabled mobile device without navigating to the Transportation website.

On-Demand Evening Shuttle: Columbia Transportation has partnered with Public Safety and

Via to provide on-demand transportation service as an alternative to walking alone at night.

More information can be found here, and a map of the coverage area is available here.

George Washington Bridge/Fort Lee Shuttle: Transports passengers between the Medical

Center and the George Washington Bridge and further on to Fort Lee. The GWB/Ft. Lee shuttle

runs Monday through Friday, excluding University holidays. Click here for routes and schedules.

Intercampus Shuttle: Provides service between Morningside campus, the Medical Center,

Manhattanville locations and Harlem Hospital. From the Medical Center you can then transfer to

the GWB Shuttle. The shuttle operates Monday through Saturday, excluding University

holidays. Click here for more information about the intercampus shuttle.

Lamont Shuttle: Transports passengers between the Morningside campus and the Lamont-

Doherty Earth Observatory campus in Palisades, New York. This shuttle operates Monday

through Friday , and it does not run on University holidays. Click here for more information

about the Lamont Shuttle.

Community Shuttle: Provides free shuttle bus service for qualifying individuals via the ADA-

accessible Intercampus shuttle. The shuttle connects 96th Street, the Morningside campus, the

CU Irving Medical Center, and Harlem Hospital with stops at nearby subway and transit stops.

Click

here

for more information.

Manhattanville Loop: Transportation between frequently visited locations on the Morningside

and Manhattanville campuses. Click

here

for more information.

Child Care and Schooling

As per the union contract, the University shall provide an annual lump sum payment to eligible

Postdoctoral Research Fellows equivalent to that provided to Postdoctoral Research

Scientists/Scholars.

Types of Early Child Care (typically 6 weeks to preschool/school aged)

Center Based Early Child Care Programs

Center based nursery schools and pre-schools provide care in a facility designed for this

purpose. Each center differs in educational philosophies, structure, goals and activities, as well

as the number of children enrolled. Children are usually grouped by age and classes vary size.

Many centers have year-round and extended day programs at additional cost. Columbia

University has nine affiliated nursery schools where Columbia University families receive priority

for admissions. It is highly recommended to apply for admission as early as possible, as some

facilities use waiting lists for individuals who are newly expecting but know they will need child

care in the future.

Private Center based care for infants – age 2 can cost approximately $3,000 per month

Private Center based care for children 2-5 years old can cost approximately $2,300 per month

In-Home Child Care

Within home care, the child remains in their own home or that of a relative or friend. This

position is typically filled by a nanny, au pair or babysitter who may live in or out of your home.

In some cases, families enter a “nanny share” where the services are shared across children.

This type of care allows you to be the employer and to determine the hours and the

responsibilities. The best reference is from a colleague or personal friend who has used a

specific nanny agency successfully or can give a personal reference for a specific person.

In home caregiver costs are approximately $600 - $900 per week ($2,400 – $3,600 per month)

Family and Group Family Child Care

Often less expensive than in-home care or child care centers, these programs are organized in

small sized play groups (sometimes multi-age) with varying activities in a family environment. In

New York City, the New York State Office of Children and Family Service (OCFS) licenses

providers through the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Family child

care provides care for up to six children ages six weeks to 12 years of age (no more than two

children under two years of age) in a provider’s home. Group family child care provides care for

up to 12 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 12 years (no more than four children under

the age of two) assisted by one or more aides.

Family Daycare is between approximately $450 - $500 per week ($2,000 per month)

For more information, including tips, information and interview sheets, agency

recommendations, please click here or contact Carolyn Singer, via email at

[email protected] or phone at 212-851-9184.

Back-Up Care Advantage Program

Please see the Benefits, ‘Additional Benefits’, section of this handbook, for more information

about this benefit.

Child Care Resources

Each year, Columbia hosts a fair for representatives of University-affiliated child care centers

and other local facilities to share information and answer questions from parents living in the

University’s neighboring communities. The fair is generally held in early October in Lerner Hall.

For further information e-mail Carolyn Singer ([email protected]).

University-Affiliated Child Care Centers

For information about University-Affiliated Child Care Center, please visit the following website

here.

Postdocs are encouraged to vet these options carefully and reach out to the Office of Work Life

to assist in the process. Columbia University assumes no responsibility in connection with any

of these programs and recommends that information listed therein be independently verified.

Barnard Babysitting Agency

Barnard College students offer a babysitting service. Parents must register with the program

prior to posting a job. For more information, please click here.

School Search Service

The School and Child Care Search Service provides expertise and guidance as you explore

your early education and child care or K-12 schooling options. This service arranges for

individual consultations or individuals may independently use the Search Service’s web program

to search for schools in any of the City’s boroughs or Westchester or Bergen Counties. Please

visit their website for additional details about their services.

Compensation, Taxes, Benefits, Discounts, and Resources

Compensation

Please consult Article 5 of the Union contract for details regarding compensation.

It should be noted that Lamont postdocs have a different minimum compensation level that is

greater than the levels set forth by the Provost. Lamont postdocs should consult with their

departmental administrator for further information. Postdoctoral research fellows should note

that if their stipend from an external fellowship is below the stipend minimum established by the

Provost, they will need to receive a supplement from their host PI or department to bring their

compensation level to at least the minimum level in order to be appointed at the University.

Taxes

Please note: The staffs of ISSO and OPA are neither qualified nor permitted to answer

individual questions from any postdoc regarding their tax liabilities. They strongly suggest that

you seek outside, professional advice when filing your tax forms.

International Scholars

During the tax year, January 1 to December 31, most individuals who are employed in the

United States have taxes withheld from their earnings by their employer. By April 15th of the

following year, these individuals have to file an “income tax return” with the federal tax

authorities and also with the tax authorities in the state(s) in which he/she was employed. A tax

return reports your income and either requests a refund if more tax was withheld than is

required, or may require you to pay additional taxes that are owed. The Internal Revenue

Service is the US government agency responsible for the collection of federal income taxes.

Non-immigrant scholars in J-1 status (both the principal and all dependents) who are considered

“nonresidents for tax purposes” may be required to file an individual income tax form, even if

they had no U.S.-source income of any kind, so long as they were in the United States for any

part of the tax year. Generally, scholars in J-1 status are considered nonresidents for tax

purposes for a period of two “tax years” and become residents for tax purposes after any parts

of 2 years. If your visa status changes before July 3 in a given year, you are usually considered

a dual status taxpayer and must file a dual status return (Regarding dual status – if you were a

resident last year and leave the country this year, the period before you leave you continue to

be a resident for any time period in the US. You would then become a non-resident with no

taxable income after you leave).

A resident alien for tax purposes is someone who is a permanent resident in the United States,

i.e. has a “green card,” or someone who was “substantially present” in the United States.

Substantial presence is based on the number of days the person is in the United States over a

period of several years.

If you do not have U.S.-source income: A J-1 scholar who is a nonresident for tax purposes

with no U.S.-source income (and no dependents) must file federal Form 8843 (Statement for

Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition) only. Interest earned on bank

accounts is NOT considered income for this purpose. Scholars complete Part I (General

Information) and Part II (Teachers and Trainees) of the form.

If you have U.S.-source income: If you are a nonresident for tax purposes with U.S.-source

income, you usually must file federal Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ (U.S. Nonresident Alien

Income Tax Return) and Form 8843 (Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a

Medical Condition). Depending on the amount of income, you may also need to file a state

return. The corresponding New York State forms for nonresidents are the IT-203, the IT-203B

and the IT-2. New York may consider you a resident for tax purposes and require you to file

form IT-201 regardless of your federal tax status. NJ does not recognize tax treaties and

considers you a resident as long as you live there.

Dependents: Usually, spouses of F-1 and J-1 scholars in F-2 and J-2 status must file Form

8843 (Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition) in all cases

whether the scholar has U.S. income or not. J-2 dependents complete Part I only. Very few

countries allow you to claim dependents as a non-resident including your spouse.

Withholding: This is the term used to describe a portion of your paycheck amount that an

employer is required to pay directly to federal, state, and city taxation authorities in anticipation

of your annual income tax obligations. The check you receive, therefore, is for less than you

earned during the pay period. The amounts withheld are credited toward your tax bill so that

most taxpayers will have to pay relatively little additional money at annual tax filing time, and

many will qualify for a refund of money over-withheld.

Tax treaties: Currently the United States has tax treaties or agreements with roughly 55

countries and territories under which their citizens may be exempt from all or part of U.S.

income tax. To see if your country is among these and how a treaty may affect your tax status,

see IRS publication #901 U.S. Tax Treaties on the IRS website or pick up a copy at the ISSO.

However, note that when you use the web-based nonresident tax preparation system Sprintax

(described elsewhere), it will determine tax treaty eligibility and applicability according to your

nationality and source of income. Also, you may qualify for Tax Treaty benefits even if you are a

US resident for tax purposes and if you are exempt from US taxes by treaty, you may be

required to file a return with your home country. Lastly, some but not all states recognize Tax

Treaty benefits. Neither New Jersey nor Connecticut recognizes tax treaties.

Tax Submission Deadline, April 15: The last day to file an annual tax return with the IRS. Tax

returns should be postmarked by this date.

FICA: A separate tax issue is Social Security tax, also known as FICA. Recent changes in tax

regulations make most holders of J-1 Visa subject to FICA tax withholding if they are

“residents for tax purposes.” In general, J-1 holders become “residents for tax purposes”

after two years. H-1 and O-1 holders are almost always subject to FICA withholding.

If FICA has been withheld in error, the employer must provide a refund. The employer applies

for reimbursement by filing a claim on Form 941C with IRS. If you are unable to obtain a refund

in this way, you can file a claim on Form 843 and Form 8316. Send your claim to:

Internal Revenue Service Center

Austin, TX 73301-0215.

SPRINTAX

Sprintax is free for you to use for your federal tax forms when you login from the ISSO web

page using your Columbia UNI and password. You can find more tax related information on

their website.

Students and Scholars Who Are Residents for Tax Purposes

If you have been in the United States for more than five years as a student or two years as a

scholar, you no longer qualify as a nonresident and may be required to file taxes as a resident

alien. If so, Sprintax will let you know that you are considered a resident for tax purposes and

will not complete the nonresident forms. However, you may be able to use software designed

for residents for tax purposes. (In this case you may want to refer to a tax preparation site such

as TurboTax or www.taxact.com).

Postdoctoral Fellows

OPA strongly suggests that postdoctoral fellows review the National Postdoc Association (NPA)

website regarding tax issues for postdocs. Postdoctoral fellows will find many of their tax related

questions have been addressed by the information provided on the NPA site.

Estimated Tax Payments: Postdoc research fellows and clinical fellows paid through a stipend

do not have taxes taken out of their stipend payments. Fellowships without automatic tax

withholding are still subject to the IRS requirement that income tax be paid on a regular basis

throughout the tax year and not all at once at the end of the year. Thus, postdocs without

withholding may be required to make estimated tax payments each quarter in order to avoid a

penalty. Use IRS Form 1040ES for estimated federal tax calculations and payments, and find

the equivalent form for estimated state taxes (where applicable).

Postdoc Fellow Tax Filing and Imputed Income: Most Postdocs on fellowships also have to

also file a tax return between January 15th and April 15th for the previous tax year. Postdoc

research and clinical fellows (paid through a stipend) may receive a W-2 or 1099-MISC form

reporting their total fellowship income, or they may receive no summary form at all. In any case,

a tax return must be filed and the fellowship stipend amount should be reported with gross

income. Also, please be aware that if all or a portion of your health and/or dental benefits are

being paid for by your fellowship allowance, training grant related expense account, department,

or P.I., this amount is considered taxable income (imputed income) per IRS regulations and will

be included on your W-2 or 1099-MISC.

FICA: Stipends are not treated as wages or self-employment income and, therefore, are not

subject to FICA taxes, (i.e. social security and Medicare). Also, special rules regarding taxation

and withholding apply to postdoctoral fellows who are in the United States as nonresident

aliens.

Please note: We encourage you to consult with a personal accountant or tax advisor regarding

the potential tax consequences from their receipt of stipends since Columbia and the OPA

cannot provide individual tax advice.

Benefits

The University provides a number of benefits to postdocs, however, eligibility for each benefit

will depend on the type of appointment the postdoc holds. Per the Union contract, the University

reserves the right to modify benefits after notice to the Union, provided that such benefits are

substantially equivalent to those provided to other similarly situated employees.

Postdoctoral Fellows may find details regarding 2023 benefits here.

Postdocs are encouraged to attend a new employee orientation to gain more information about

available benefits. Benefits related questions can be addressed by contacting the Columbia

Benefits Service Center. Contact information for this office has been provided below for

reference. Additional information can also be found on the HR Benefits website.

Columbia Benefits Service Center

615 W. 131

Studebaker Building, 4

Floor

New York, NY 10027

Phone: 212.851.7000, option 8

Fax: 212.851.7025

[email protected]

Health Coverage

Postdoc health benefits can be determined, in large part, by their title.

A postdoctoral research scientist/scholar and postdoctoral clinical fellow (who is a full-time

Assistant in Clinical Department), as an employee, has fringe benefit costs charged to their

salary and is able to choose from among the various plans offered to all other officers at the

University.

Columbia offers UnitedHealthCare (UHC) Choice Plus 80, 90, and 100 plans, as well as a High

Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Specifics on each plan are available in the University’s “Health

and Welfare Benefits” website.

Postdoctoral research fellows and postdoctoral clinical fellows paid via a stipend do not have

fringe benefit costs charged to their stipend and thus are not eligible for several benefits that are

offered to employees of the University. The University does offer an affordable health plan

option for Fellows through a UHC Choice Plus 80 blended rate plan. Further information about

the Fellow health benefits plan can be found here. More information on this policy can be found

on the Provost webpage. Fellows are obligated to carry health insurance, either through the

University-administered UHC Choice Plus 80 plan or through an external plan of their choosing,

and must attest to maintaining health care coverage for the duration of their tenure at Columbia.

Please note: Postdocs in J-1 status and their dependents are required to have comprehensive

medical coverage in order to fulfill U.S. government regulations governing the J Exchange

Visitor status.

Mental Health and Grief Counseling

IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, CALL 911 OR GO DIRECTLY TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY

ROOM.

Mental Health Resources

There are several mental health clinics and practices near the CUIMC and MSD campuses that

can assist postdocs with mental health counseling needs. To view a list of these resources,

please click here. Other crisis resources are listed below.

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 988

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress as well as

prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. You can call or text 988 to

connect to a trained crisis counselor. You can also use the Lifeline online chat function

here.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Postdoc Research Scientists and Scholars and Postdoctoral Research Fellows are also eligible

to for assistance through the EAP. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides a

network of free specialized services: short-term counseling to help you and your household

members cope with everyday issues such as stress, work/life balance, relationships,

depression, drug and alcohol addiction, wellness and the management of adult/elder care

responsibilities, among others. More information can be found on the EAP website. The Office

of Work/Life works with the EAP to host free workshops each semester on a variety of topics

ranging from adult/elder caregiving and Medicare to stress management. For more information

about the Office of Work/Life and EAP programming, check out the Office of Work/Life wellness

website.

Grief Counseling

All postdocs are eligible to receive grief counseling from the Office of the University Chaplain.

Dental Coverage

All Postdocs are eligible for Columbia dental insurance.

Aetna Columbia Dental Plan

The Aetna Columbia Dental Plan is administered through Columbia Human Resources and all

full-time postdocs are eligible to sign up for this plan. The cost for the plan will vary depending

on your appointment as a salaried postdoc or a stipend postdoc. For more information, please

visit the HR Benefits website.

Columbia Student Dental Plan

A lower cost dental plan is available through the School of Dental and Oral Surgery and is

provided by dentists enrolled in a postgraduate fellowship program. It covers semi-annual oral

cleanings and examinations, x-rays, and prophylaxis. There is a 25% discount on non-covered

services. All postdocs are eligible to sign up for this plan. For more information, click here.

Time Off (Vacation, Sick Time, Personal Days, and University Holidays)

Postdoctoral research scientists/scholars and postdoctoral clinical fellows (who are full-time

Assistants in Clinical Department), earn two days of vacation for each month of their

appointment, up to a maximum of twenty-three days. These postdocs also earn either 2 or 3

personal days per year depending on the campus with which they are affiliated. Click here for

more information. They also are eligible for all University holidays. See the University holiday

schedule. Vacation time is not accrued during extended leaves approved by the University (e.g.,

child care leaves). Vacation time may not be accumulated beyond June 30 of the year following

the one in which it was earned. Unused vacation time cannot be translated into monetary pay

except upon termination of appointment. Postdocs should consult with their departmental

administrator on relevant policies around tracking time off as well as around sick time policies.

Postdoctoral research and clinical fellows are entitled to the same rights to vacation and time off

as postdoctoral research scientists/scholars unless the provisions of the granting agency specify

otherwise.

Leaves of Absence (Medical, Child Care (and other Dependent) Leave)

Per Article 15 in the Union contract, employees shall be entitled to leaves of absence as per the

University policies for Officers of Research outlined in the current Faculty Handbook, as

required by law, and according to the Union contract. The University has the right to modify

leave policies after notice to the Union, provided that such leave policies are substantially

equivalent to those provided to other similarly situated employees. See Article 15 in the Union

contract for additional information.

Birth Parent, Parental, and Child Care Leaves

Birth Parent Leave: A full-time officer of research who is pregnant is entitled to a medical leave

of absence, according to the policies described above and in the Faculty Handbook, for the

period surrounding the birth of their child during which their doctor certifies that they are unable

to work (typically 6-8 weeks postpartum).

Paid Parental Leave: Effective January 1, 2021, full-time Employees who have worked at

Columbia University for a minimum of one year and who become a parent of a newborn child or

adopt (or foster) a child under the age of six during the term of their appointment may be

granted up to six weeks of paid parental leave at full salary, unless such leave is explicitly

restricted by an external source of funding for the Employee’s compensation. The six weeks of

paid parental leave at full salary will run concurrently with, not in addition to, New York State

Paid Family Leave.

To qualify for a leave, the Employee must assume significant and sustained responsibility for

the care of the child and is expected to be the caregiver at least half-time during normal working

hours throughout the period of the leave. This leave may be taken within the first 12 months of

the birth, adoption, or foster placement of the child. The original source of the funding for the

Employee’s compensation will continue to be responsible for covering the compensation during

the time of the leave.

After the period of parental leave at full salary, the Employee may take further leave as granted

under Federal and New York State Laws, including the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and

the New York State Paid Family Leave Law, and/or University policies.

New York State Paid Family Leave: The University shall comply with the New York State Paid

Family Leave Law (NYSPFL). Under NYSPFL, full-time Employees who have worked at least

26 consecutive weeks are eligible for up to 12 weeks of job-protected partial paid leave (at 67%

of their average weekly wage) to bond with their child during the first 12 months after the child’s

birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Please refer to the New York Paid Family Leave page

for more information.

Child Care Leave: Full-time Employees may request an extended leave without pay or with

partial pay to care for a newborn or adopted child if they are the primary caregiver. If the

Employee does not perform any responsibilities during the leave, then the leave is without

salary. With the approval of the principal investigator, department chair or director, dean or vice

president, and the Provost, the officer may continue to perform a portion of her normal

responsibilities on a leave with partial salary.

The total period of birth parent leave (if applicable), parental leave, and child care leave may not

exceed 12 months.

Male officers of research holding full-time appointments may also take full or partial leaves for

up to 12 months to care for a newborn child if they are the primary caregiver. Similar privileges

are given to all full-time research officers who adopt a child of less than school age, if the child

is disabled or meets New York State’s legal definition of “hard-to-place,” or is less than 18 at the

time the leave begins.

Full-time postdoctoral and clinical fellows may take a child care leave without stipend or with

partial stipend according to the policies described above if permitted by the rules of the funding

agency.

All leaves covered under this section count as use of time for which an Employee is eligible

under FMLA and NYSPFL. FMLA and NYSPFL will run concurrently for any Employee who is

eligible for both.

FMLA Leave

Full- and part-time officers of research are entitled to leaves of absence under the Family and

Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 if they have been employed and paid by the University for at

least 12 months immediately preceding the leave and have worked for at least 1,250 hours

during that period. Any compensated employment, regardless of title and including periods on

the casual payroll, counts in determining if an officer meets these requirements. Postdoctoral

research and clinical fellows who receive stipends as well as postdoctoral residency fellows are

not eligible for this type of leave.

Officers of research who meet those requirements may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in

each year to care for a newborn, newly adopted, or new foster child; to care for a seriously ill

family member; or as a result of a medical disability. They may take up to 26 weeks if the leave

is needed to deal with a qualifying exigency, as defined by the federal Department of Labor,

arising out of the military service of a spouse, child, or parent. The University’s policies

governing the leaves of absence that full-time officers of research may take for these purposes

are, with the exception of certain benefits provisions, more generous than the requirements of

the FMLA. Consequently, the University considers the first 12 weeks of any such leave as

fulfilling the requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act, except for leaves arising from a

family member’s military service, in which case it counts the first 26 weeks.

Further information on the Family and Medical Leave Act can be found here.

*Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO)

LDEO offers full-time PDFs the same parental (disability) paid leave as full-time PDRSs.

Typically, this is 6-8 weeks, depending on the type of delivery and medical professional

certification. There is no paid paternity leave, but as Columbia University policy allows, Officers

of Research can take unpaid child care leave.

You can also reach out to the Office of Leave Management for more details regarding leave.

Office information below.

Office of Leave Management

615 W. 131

St, Mail Code 8703

Studebaker, 4

Floor

New York, NY 10027

Phone: 212.851.0698

Email: [email protected]

Breastfeeding Support and Lactation Rooms

Columbia University, together with the Office of Work Life, provides breastfeeding support to all

mothers. You can find more information about this supportive service on the Office of Work/Life

website. In addition to support programs, the Office of Work Life also maintains lactation rooms

across all campuses. For more information on accessing these rooms, please click here. It is

strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Work Life at 212.854.8019 at least 5 days in

advance of the time you need to access the rooms to determine availability; however, they will

do their best to accommodate same and next-day requests.

Additional Benefits

Back-Up Care Advantage Program

Provides care for anyone you have responsibility toward, when normal arrangements are

disrupted and/or when you need to provide short-term care. The program provides you up to

200 hours per year of back-up care. There is no cost to register for the Back-Up Care

Advantage program and Columbia University covers most of the costs for back-up care, except

for the following copays: $3/hour co-pay per child for Center-Based Childcare; $7/hour co-pay

for the first 50 hours of in-home care, $9/hour for hours 51-100 hours, and $12/hour for hours

101-150. There is a 4-hour minimum for the in-home care option. For more information, please

visit the Back-Up Care website.

Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program (T/PRP)

The T/PRP is a convenient way to pay commuting expenses using pre-tax dollars. You may

participate in either the Transit or Parking Reimbursement Program—or both. The T/PRP allows

you to set aside pre-tax dollars each paycheck to pay for commuting expenses. You choose a

monthly election, which is available to you as of the first of each month. Your contributions will

then be deducted in equal installments from your semi-monthly paychecks in the same month.

You may enroll in the T/PRP at any time during the year. If you would like to newly enroll in or

make a change to your T/PRP account, you must do so during Open Enrollment, or your

election will not be in place for January 1. This benefit, however, is easy to change during the

year.

For more information and examples of eligible expenses, visit the Transit/Parking

Reimbursement program website.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

FSAs allow you to set aside pre-tax money to reimburse yourself for eligible healthcare and

dependent day care expenses. You must enroll within 31 days of hire and you must also re-

enroll during Benefits Open Enrollment each year to take advantage of FSAs.

Columbia University offers two types of FSAs that are administered by UHC:

Healthcare FSA for eligible healthcare expenses, including medical, prescription drug or dental

copays and deductibles, as well as vision or hearing services.

Dependent Care FSA for eligible child or adult day care expenses for your dependents, such as

licensed day care centers and nursery schools, before-school or after-school programs and

home attendants. (Note: for dependents' health-related expenses, use the Healthcare FSA.)

Child Care Benefit: Eligible Officers can elect to receive up to a $4,000 contribution from

Columbia to a Dependent Care FSA. If you elect this benefit during the year because of a

Qualified Life Status Change, you will receive a prorated portion of the benefit. To be eligible for

this benefit, you must meet all of the eligibility criteria below:



Be a full-time, benefits-eligible Officer with an Annual Benefits Salary of less than or

equal to $135,000 ($130,000 prior to January 1, 2022).



Have a dependent child under the age of 6 (age 5 prior to January 1, 2022) and not yet

attending kindergarten who has been verified as an eligible dependent; and meets the

IRS definition of a tax dependent.



Elect to participate in the Child Care Benefit as a new hire, during the annual Open

Enrollment period or if you experience a Qualified Life Status Change.

There is a limit of a single benefit per family regardless of the number of eligible children, and

regardless of whether both parents are eligible Non-Union Support Staff. If you receive the Child

Care Benefit, you can also contribute personal pre-tax payroll contributions to their Dependent

Care FSA. The total contributions between the Dependent Care FSA and the Child Care Benefit

cannot exceed $5,000 annual maximum.

For more information, please visit the FSA website.

Retirement Accounts

Postdoctoral Research Scientists and Scholars are eligible to participate in Columbia’s

Voluntary Retirement Savings Program (VSRP), a defined contribution 403(b) plan that allows

employees to contribute between 1% to 80% of their eligible salary through pre-tax

contributions, or in the case of Roth IRAs, on a post-tax basis, in whole percentages through

convenient payroll contributions.

All hires on or after July 1, 2013 will be automatically enrolled to contribute 3% of their salary on

a pre-tax basis to the VSRP if they do not make a contribution election. Employees can opt out

or change this automatic election at any time.

Columbia University will match pre-tax and Roth savings combined to a maximum of 3% of

eligible pay, once an employee has met the eligibility requirements, including a 2-year vesting

period (matching contributions are allocated to the Postdoc’s Retirement Plan).

For more information and financial planning resources, visit the HR retirement savings and

financial planning website.

Life Insurance

Life insurance can provide valuable financial protection and Columbia University offers you the

choice of different levels of coverage to help meet your needs. Columbia offers two Term Life

Insurance Plans: the Basic Term Life Insurance Plan and the Optional Term Life Insurance

Plan.

Basic Term Life Insurance Plan

The Basic Term Life Insurance Plan is provided automatically to Postdoctoral Research

Scientists and Scholars and Postdoctoral Research Fellows by Columbia University at no cost

to you. You will automatically receive Basic Term Life Insurance of one times your Annual

Benefits Salary, up to $50,000. The Life Insurance Plan pays a lump sum benefit to your

beneficiary in the event of your death while actively employed by Columbia University. The Plan

also can pay a living benefit. If you become terminally ill, you may elect to have the Plan pay out

a benefit while you are still living. Any amount you receive will reduce the benefit paid to your

beneficiary.

Postdoctoral Fellows, please note: Although this benefit is provided at no cost to you, IRS

Regulations require the University to treat this benefit as imputed income. This cost will be

approximately $3.30/month or $39.60/year. For more information, please click here.

Optional Term Life Insurance Plan

Postdoctoral Research Scientists and Scholars may elect additional amounts of coverage of

one, two, three, four, five or six times your Annual Benefits Salary up to a maximum of

$1,750,000, including your Basic Term Life Insurance coverage amount. The additional

amounts of coverage are paid with post-tax dollars.

The benefit will be determined using your Annual Benefits Salary rounded to the next highest

$1,000. You will see your personal monthly premiums on the CU Benefits Enrollment System

based on your age as of January 1. There, you can also add or update beneficiaries.

For more information, please click here.

Student Loan Deferral

Currently only Postdoctoral Fellows at the Medical Center can bring their loan deferment forms

to the Office of Faculty Affairs (Black Building, Room 126) for approval. However, please note

that lending agencies may differ in their requirements and will make the final determination of

eligibility.

American Language Program

All Post-docs 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. Visit the ALP program

website for more information about this program. 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]. Postdocs should also be sure to decline the student

health insurance! This is VERY important. If you do not decline the health insurance, you will be

charged for it.

Please refer to this document for more information on the medical insurance

waiver.

Gym Facilities

All postdocs are eligible to use the exercise facilities on either campus for a nominal fee.

Dodge Fitness Center – Morningside Campus

The Marcellus Hartley Dodge Physical Fitness Center is the most comprehensive wellness

facility on the Upper West Side. It offers everything from yoga and kickboxing to kayaking and

squash instruction. Dodge also has trained personal trainers on staff for individual sessions.

Facilities include an indoor running track, 25-yard pool, Scandinavian sauna, multi-sport

gymnasia, and a tri-level fitness center with the latest cardiovascular and strength training

equipment. Children of all ages and interests can now enjoy a variety of sports camps and Cubs

Camp programs offered throughout the entire year.

Bard Athletic Center – Medical Center Campus

Bard Athletic Center is a comprehensive physical fitness facility that is accessible for students

with disabilities. It includes a 15-yard pool, gymnasium, cardiovascular and strength/weight

training equipment. Bard also has an aerobic studio, 3 squash courts and saunas. Clinical

Fellows and Residency Fellows don’t qualify for the Fellow Package.

The basic membership for employees, associates, scholars, alumni and neighbors includes the

usage of a temporary locker and towel service. All members may also rent a locker for the

duration of membership, bring guests, or have a spouse/domestic partner or child (ages 6-18)

join as a member (additional fee required). For a spouse/domestic partner membership, proof of

common residence or a marriage certificate is required. Guests and family members are

provided with a temporary locker and towel service.

Libraries

At your disposal is a fully integrated research library. Columbia’s Libraries, with 9.5 million

volumes, 117,264 current serials, and an extensive collection of electronic resources,

manuscripts, rare books, microforms and other non-print formats, ranks it as one of the top ten

academic library systems in the nation. Spouses and domestic partners of postdocs may use

Columbia’s libraries.

CU Arts Initiative

Outside the University, your ID card is your passport to New York City and can help you take

advantage of all the excitement the City has to offer through certain programs and discounts.

Please visit the Arts Initiative at Columbia University website for the most up-to-date list of free

museums and other cultural events.

Work/Life at Columbia University

The Office of Work/Life at Columbia offers a variety of programs to help you keep both your

family life and your career running smoothly. The office also offers adult care and child care

resources, parenting resources, a housing referral service, health and wellness resources, and

information about discounts and perks available to postdocs. See below for information about

this office.

The Office of Work/Life

Low Library, North Balcony

535 W. 116

St, Mail Code 4337

New York, NY 10027

Phone: 212.854.8019

Website: www.worklife.columbia.edu

Business Cards

With departmental approval, all Postdocs may order business cards through Columbia Print.

Orders can be placed at:

Morningside Campus CUIMC

106 Pulitzer Hall or Hammer Science Building

2950 Broadway 701 West 168th Street, 2nd Fl #610

Please find the approval and order form here.

Career and Professional Development

Overview of Postdoctoral Career and Professional Development Program

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) has built a highly structured postdoctoral career and

professional development curriculum consisting of a variety of short courses, seminar series,

intensive workshops, and individualized support. The programming is run annually so that

postdocs can build these programs into their training plans while at Columbia University. In

addition to the more structured curriculum, OPA also organizes stand-alone workshops and

events throughout each year.

The structured postdoctoral training program focuses on broad areas that align with four of the

six core competencies identified by the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) as being critical

for successful postdoctoral training. The Columbia postdoctoral training program focuses on

professionalism, leadership and management, communication, career management, and

responsible conduct of research. Two of the six (NPA) core competencies, discipline-specific

conceptual knowledge and research skill development, are largely areas that postdocs should

receive training on through their PI, mentor, or on their own, and are not widely encompassed in

the OPA postdoctoral training program. The OPA structured postdoctoral training program will

enable postdocs to achieve the following postdoctoral training program goals:



Recognize the significance of independent career management



Actively participate in the postdoctoral training program for the duration of training



Gain insights into a variety of career options available and engage in training and education

activities necessary to gain employment in a preferred career track



Receive professional and career development necessary for employment in a wide-range of

sectors



Adhere to professional and ethical codes of conduct during training at Columbia



Hone leadership, management, and communication skills necessary for PhD level positions

across a variety of career sectors



Transition from training to independence

Courses, Workshops, and Series

OPA offers a number of programs, short courses, series, and workshops. These include an

Individual Development Plan (IDP) program, an academic application boot camp, a career panel

series, a career advancement series, and funding strategies workshops, among others. While

most programs are offered annually, programming varies from year to year. Additional

workshops are offered throughout the year as well.

There are also several courses at Columbia organized by other offices and programs that

postdocs are welcome to participate in, including: a funding and grant-writing course and a

responsible conduct of research (RCR) course .

Information on all of OPAs programs, as well as additional programs of interest to postdocs,

may be found on OPA’s career development website. Upcoming events can be found on the

OPA Calendar.

Many of OPA’s popular workshops have been recorded and are accessible here.

Networking and Employer Events

Beyond the courses, workshops, and series, OPA also organizes a number of networking and

employer events throughout the year. These include career panels with a focus on non-

academic and academic careers, employer on-campus recruitment/information sessions, as

well as employer site visits. OPA also advertises internship and employment opportunities

throughout the year.

Career Counseling Services

OPA provides individualized career counseling services throughout the year. Individual

appointments can be scheduled for review of job documents (resumes, CVs, cover letters),

mock interviews, or can focus on career exploration and career management. Appointments

must be scheduled by emailing [email protected] with your appointment request.

Postdoc Career Network (PCN)

The Columbia University Postdoc Career Network (PCN) is a tool that aims to give postdocs of

all disciplines the information they need to decide on their future career paths and to better

negotiate their job offers. Postdocs can use PCN to learn more about which industries and

companies former CU postdocs have gone on to, the starting salaries associated with these

offers, and which companies sponsor visas.

In setting up your PCN account, you will be joining a nationwide push for data transparency by

helping other postdocs understand what to expect when they are on the job market and

negotiating. Your personal information is kept strictly confidential, and the platform’s security

has been vetted by CUIT.

Visit the PCN website to find out more and activate your account!

Postdoctoral Wellness

The

Wellness branch of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

is dedicated to providing mental health

and wellness education and outreach that focuses on multiple areas of wellness, such as social,

physical, emotional, and occupational wellness, among others. Through these wellness

initiatives, postdocs can develop tools and knowledge to care for their mental health and well-

being during their postdoctoral training and beyond. With enhanced knowledge and resources,

postdocs are empowered to create meaningful adjustments to support their well-being.



Individual Wellness Appointments

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 Wellness Director, Anna Womack, at

[email protected]

schedule an individual wellness appointment.



Wellness Workshops and Mini-Challenges

Each month, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs organizes a wellness workshop or

seminar focusing on an area of wellness such as, physical, social, emotional, or

intellectual wellness. OPA Wellness also organizes Mini-Challenges each month

to encourage postdocs to enhance their wellness via low-time-commitment

activities.



Weekly Wellness

OPA coordinates two weekly events for postdoctoral physical wellness: Zumba

and yoga. Please contact

[email protected]

for further details,

including the reoccurring Zoom links.



Monday Mindful Moment

The “Monday Mindful Moment” is a brief 30-minute session, held on the third

Monday of each month, that allows busy postdocs to learn about and practice

helpful mindfulness skills.

Communications on OPA Programming and Services

Announcements about all OPA organized programming are sent to postdocs through the

postdoc mailing list every Tuesday in the 'weekly digest' email. Programs are advertised several

weeks in advance to provide ample time to register. These events and programs are also

posted on the OPA events calendar and on OPA’s LinkedIn page.

There are also a large number of events and programs that occur throughout the year that are

not organized by OPA, but are of interest to postdocs. We advertise these events in the 'weekly

listings’ email that is sent to postdocs every Thursday. We also highlight a specific piece of

information relevant to postdoctoral training experience in our weekly ‘did you know’ email each

Friday. Postdocs should receive these weekly emails. If you are no receiving these emails,

please contact OPA ([email protected]) as this likely means you are not on the

postdoc email listserv.

Teaching and Internships

With the proper approvals, postdocs are allowed to engage in limited teaching and other career

development activities (e.g. limited internship opportunities) that merit additional compensation.

A new policy supporting engagement in these activities along with an approval process was

established in 2016 and can be viewed here.

Postdocs should address any questions related to these policies to the Office of Postdoctoral

Affairs prior to engaging in any career development activity that merits additional

compensation.

Additional Resources

OPA has a wealth of additional career related information on its website including listings of

various groups at Columbia and beyond that postdocs might consider joining, opportunities for

building experience to be competitive for a specific career path of interest, and job boards for

both general and targeted job searches. Information about these additional resources can be

found on the OPA website.

Postdoc Community and Affinity Groups

Columbia University Postdoctoral Society (CUPS)

The mission of the Columbia University Postdoc Society (CUPS) is to facilitate a constructive

and positive experience for postdocs that will benefit postdoctoral professionals and Columbia

University. CUPS is a society run by postdocs for postdocs. CUPS represents all postdocs in

the Columbia community and welcomes any postdoc to join their activities. CUPS activities

include social events, such as happy hours, networking events, career and professional

development events, and advocacy efforts. Visit the CUPS website or more information.

CUPS holds meetings the third Tuesday of every month on either the Morningside and CUIMC

campuses or via Zoom.

To join CUPS, please send an email request to [email protected].

URPostdocs

Established in 2016, Columbia URPostdocs seeks to unite underrepresented (UR) postdocs

and individuals who support the cause and inclusion. The mission of the group is to form a

cohesive network that works together to highlight URPostdocs’ distinct contributions, promotes

awareness of issues that are important to all URPostdocs, and encourages participation and

recruitment of new members. The group is committed to advocate for and find means to

improve recruitment, retention, and mentoring of URPostdocs to aid in the development of

successful careers both in academic and non-academic settings. In addition to its commitment

to educating within the Columbia community, URPostdocs seeks to educate the public through

outreach activities. An important goal of the URPostdocs group is to provide a platform for

participating members to develop a variety of skills crucial in any career such as leadership,

networking, and communication, among others.

URPostdocs hosts regular meetings (~once every two months) and organizes and co-sponsors

events. Postdocs interested in joining URPostdocs should email [email protected].

PostdoQs

Established in 2016, Columbia PostdoQs is an affinity group for LGBQTIA postdocs and allies.

LGBQTIA graduate students are welcome to participate in the group as well. The group’s core

values are support, inclusion, education, equality, networking, and creating safe spaces. The

group is committed to these core values and to promoting these values at Columbia University.

The group hosts regular meetings (about once every two months) and organizes and co-

sponsors events. Postdocs interested in joining PostdoQs should email

[email protected].

Postdoc Parents and Expectant Parents Group

This group supports all Postdoc Parents and Expectant Parents in the Columbia University

Postdoc community. In addition to an active Facebook group to share resources and advertise

events, the group hosts regular lunches, community outings, and on campus family activities.

Postdocs are encouraged to join the group and participate in the various activities. Please

contact [email protected] for more information.

Parent Connection

Parent Connection is a Columbia University resource available through the Office of Work/Life

that allows parents to discover other Columbia families who have children the same ages, might

go to the same school, or live in the same neighborhood.

You can opt in and search for others who may want to share caregiving or school pick-ups, hire

a caregiver together, or just make a new family friend. If you want to learn more about a

particular school, Parent Connection can also help you find families who are already enrolled

who may be willing to share their experience.

Columbia University Family Support Network (CUFSN)

The Columbia University Family Support Network (CUFSN) is a student-led, university-wide

organization focused on advocating for improved resources and policies to support members of

the Columbia community (students, research officers, alumni, faculty and staff) with families. By

voicing the issues faced by the Columbia community, advocating for university-wide support and

policies to improve resources, and connecting Columbia families with one another, CUFSN

works to promote a diverse and inclusive environment of benefit to all members of the

University.

Postdocs interested in CUFSN should view their website here.

Women in Science at Columbia (WISC)

Women in Science at Columbia (WISC) provides outreach, support, advancement, community,

and more, for women, underrepresented minorities, and their supporters in the science,

technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) graduate fields at Columbia. WISC is one

organization made up of two chapters- one at the Morningside (116th) campus and one at the

CUIMC (168th) campus. The purpose of having two chapters that share a mission and have

many similar events is to make it convenient for members to attend events on the campus

closer to school or home. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend events on either

or both campuses.

Postdocs interested in WISC should view their website here.

Social Science and Humanities Postdocs

OPA recognizes that it can be especially challenging for postdocs in the social sciences and

humanities to connect with other postdocs in their fields at Columbia. With this in mind, in 2016

OPA created a Social Science and Humanities Postdocs group that has its own dedicated email

listserv, feature events especially geared for these postdocs, and serve as a means for these

postdocs to connect and form a community.

Social Science and Humanities postdocs interested in joining this group should email

[email protected] to join the email listserv.

Research Offices and Resources at Columbia University

There are a number of administrative offices and divisions at Columbia that offer support for

research.

Executive Vice President for Research

The Office of the Executive President for Research has overall responsibility for the University’s

research enterprise. It is responsible for establishing and maintaining University-wide policies

related to research. The Office also assists investigators seeking research funding, encourages

interdisciplinary research, provides seed money for early-state investigations, and generally

helps provide the intellectual and physical environment to maintain high quality research and

maximize productivity.

Website: www.evpr.columbia.edu

Clinical Trials Office (CTO)

The mission of the Clinical Trials Office is to facilitate and enhance the timely execution of

quality clinical research at the Medical Center by providing support services to investigators in

connection with federal and foundation grants, industry-supported clinical trials and internally

developed investigator-initiated trials. The CTO supports the effective, efficient, and reliable

evaluation of new pharmaceuticals and medical devices in collaboration with sponsored

organizations.

Services include: expediting study placement through trial feasibility analysis; facilitating IRB

and other regulator services; comprehensive study budget preparation and contract negotiation;

assistance with recruitment efforts; and providing training initiatives to ensure expert study

coordination.

The CTO offers training and education designed to keep investigators and their research staffs

abreast of current trends in the conduct of clinical trials with the goal of providing the relevant

knowledge and skills that individuals need to conduct compliant and efficient clinical trials.

The CTO website contains an on-line submission tool, a portal for viewing the progress of pre-

award negotiations and post award receipts, and other useful links.

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://research.columbia.edu/clinical-trials-office

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)

Environmental Health & Safety provides a broad range of services to promote the health and

safety of all University personnel. Through cooperative relationships, EH&S actively engages

the University community to ensure a safe work environment and compliance with University

policies and applicable regulations. Personnel conducting laboratory research using potentially

infections materials, hazardous chemicals, recombinant DNA, and/or radioactive materials must

attend the relevant EH&S sponsored safety training(s). Columbia’s Institutional Biosafety

Committee must approve the use of recombinant DNA, and Columbia’s Radiation Safety

Committee must approve the use of radioactive materials. The EH&S website contains

laboratory safety information as well as safety training schedules. Refresher safety training is

also available through RASCAL.

Morningside, Manhattanville, and Medical Center Campuses: 212.854.8749,

212.305.6780 & 212.305.0303 (radiation safety)

Website: www.ehs.columbia.edu

Institute of Comparative Medicine (ICM)

If you plan to conduct research with animals, your animals must be ordered through, and

managed and cared for by the Institute of Comparative Medicine. The mission of the ICM is to

ensure that humane care of animals is used in approved research and to support medical

research teams working to develop treatments for life- threatening conditions. The ICM has

certified veterinary specialists who direct the care and manage the health and welfare of

research animals at Columbia. The ICM conducts a training program for veterinary specialists,

as well as training courses in animal care and handling for research personnel.

Phone: 212.305.3837

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://research.columbia.edu/content/institute-comparative-medicine

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

If you plan to conduct animal-based research, your protocol must be approved by the

University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for your campus. Composed of

scientists, non-scientists,

veterinarians and community representatives, IACUC reviews all animal research proposals to

ensure humane care and use of animals in all activities related to research, and to ensure

compliance with all federal and state regulations. IACUC also determines what training

researchers must undergo before research involving animals can begin.

There are separate committees for the Morningside and Medical Center campuses, with one

central administrative office. Animal protocols are prepared and administered online. All

personnel listed on a protocol must complete an occupational health status review, species-

specific training and certification course on compliance with regulations and the basic principles

underlying the humane care and use of laboratory animals.

Phone: 212.305.2404

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://research.columbia.edu/institutional-animal-care-and-use-committee

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

If you plan to conduct research that involves human subjects, including behavioral research

(e.g. surveys) and/or biomedical investigations, one of Columbia’s four Institutional Review

Boards (IRBs) will help ensure that your study complies with all applicable ethical and regulatory

requirements. The University’s IRBs are responsible for protecting human subjects in research

and are made up of faculty and community members. The IRBs are administered centrally, with

offices on the Morningside and Medical Center campuses. All human subjects’ research

conducted by Columbia faculty, staff and students must be approved by a Columbia IRB.

The IRBs offer a number of education and training opportunities, including: IRB 101, a

comprehensive introductory course that provides background on the regulations that govern

human subjects research and offers tips on drafting consent forms and other IRB requirements;

Monthly Investigator Meetings, at which research issues are discussed; annual educational

conferences; and web-based training.

Morningside Phone: 212.851.7040

Medical Center Phone: 212.305.5883

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://research.columbia.edu/human-research-protection-office-and-irbs

Office of Research Compliance and Training (ORCT)

The Office of Research Compliance and Training helps ensure that Columbia faculty and staff

are in compliance with the complex web of regulatory requirements that govern research. ORCT

collaborates with other offices to foster an integrated research compliance program. ORCT

administers the University’s Research Conflict of Interest review process, serves as a resource

for international research compliance issues, and administers Columbia’s Standing Committee

on the Conduct of Research, which addresses issues of research misconduct. ORCT works to

integrate compliance education across the University and to develop new educational

programming that promotes understanding of compliance issues throughout the research

enterprise. The ORCT website contains useful information about compliance topics, provides

links to resources and lists available trainings for researchers, postdocs and others involved in

research.

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://research.columbia.edu/office-research-compliance-and-training

Office of Research Initiatives and Development (ORID)

The Office of Research Initiatives works across disciplines, schools and campuses to foster

interdisciplinary research collaboration and supports efforts to secure funding for such

collaborations. It identifies opportunities and strategies for enhancing Columbia’s research

presence and its status as a prominent research institution. It also administers Columbia’s

internal review and nomination processes for those funding opportunities that limit the number

of proposals that any one institution is permitted to submit and works to improve Columbia’s

success rate in securing such awards.

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://research.columbia.edu/initiatives

Columbia Technology Ventures (CTV)

Columbia University’s technology transfer organization, Columbia Technology Ventures, serves

as a bridge between Columbia’s researchers and the business community. CTV’s core objective

is to facilitate the transfer of inventions from academic research to outside organizations for the

benefit of society on a local, national and global basis. As such, CTV’s primary mission is to

identify, evaluate, protect, and license or spin out Columbia’s intellectual property. CTV also

strives to increase private sector funding for ongoing research and development in Columbia’s

labs.

If you believe that you have an invention or discovery that may be patentable or of interest to

industry or venture capital, please contact CTV for guidance before any public disclosure. CTV

also can assist researchers on material transfer agreements that may be required to send or

receive certain reagents.

Email: [email protected]

Morningside Phone: 212.854.8444

Medical Center Phone: 212.305.5198

Website: www.techventures.columbia.edu