Life as a Postdoc
Source: https://biology.mit.edu/postdoctoral/life-as-a-postdoc/ Parent: https://biology.mit.edu/
“The people at MIT are contagiously passionate about science and very helpful, that’s what kept me here.”\ Xin Tang, postdoctoral candidate
Although a large department, MIT Biology is a close-knit group, and postdocs are integral to the culture. They participate in social events and Institute traditions along with students and faculty and enjoy all that Cambridge/Boston has to offer. Those with partners access the many resources designed for students with families, including group activities and support systems.
Resources at MIT
The Office of the Vice President for Research offers a wide variety of resources for the Postdoctoral community at MIT, including a guide for new postdocs.
Additional MIT resources
- BioREFS – Provide MIT’s biology community with an independent resource to support, encourage, diffuse, and mediate during times of stress.
- International Scholars Office – Information about working and living in the US, including the visa application process
- Spouses & Partners Connect – Programs and services for significant others
- The Work Life Center – Resources to support a variety of personal and professional needs
“MIT Biology encourages me to ask challenging questions and provides state of the art technology to answer them.”\ Marianna Trakala, postdoctoral candidate
Life in Cambridge
Housing
Most postdocs live in housing off-campus in Cambridge and the surrounding communities. On-campus housing is intended for undergraduate and graduate students; however, postdocs are sometimes able to find space in graduate housing.
Transportation
The MBTA bus and subway systems make commuting easy. All Postdoctoral Fellows and Postdoctoral Associates on MIT’s Cambridge campus are eligible for free, unrestricted subway and local bus access. There is a limited amount of parking available on campus and students may choose to apply for a permit (fees apply). MIT also hosts a car-sharing program on campus.