Postdoctoral Associates and Fellows

The Department of Physics has a large and diverse group of postdoctoral associates and fellows working within our various divisions and laboratories. Although the number fluctuates, we typically have between 85 and 95 postdocs working directly with Physics faculty.

This site contains links that should be useful for our postdocs ranging from general MIT information, to detail about seminars and colloquia at MIT elsewhere, to information about benefits.

If you are interested in a postdoctoral position at MIT, please contact faculty in the division or laboratory where your research interest lies, or search our Employment Opportunities. Information about the Department’s four research divisions is given here. Contact information for the largest labs affiliated with Physics is given here.

Postdocs are an important part of our Physics community and we welcome your participation in departmental activities.

Physics Postdoctoral Information Guide

On your first day at MIT, you will have to fill out employment forms with Vicky Metternich (4-311, vickym@mit.edu, 3-4804) in Physics HQ’s.  Please call or email to schedule an appointment to complete the following forms:

  • Inventions and Proprietary Information Agreement form
  • Personnel/Appointment Information Form
  • Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) – You will need to provide documents that establish identity and work eligibility.

http://web.mit.edu/scholars/index.html
E18-209 | (617) 253-2851 | ischo@mit.edu
Walk-in Hours:  Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must check in with the ISchO within your first three days at MIT. Be sure to bring your passport and visa documents with you. If you have any questions at any time during your stay regarding your visa, please contact Vicky Metternich or the International Scholars Office.

https://idcard.mit.edu/get-id-card
Atlas Service Center – E17 – 1st floor – 40 Ames Street
(617) 253-3000
Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm

Soon after your arrival, you should go to the MIT Card Office on the first floor of the Atlas Service Center at 40 Ames Street, E17, and have your picture taken for your MIT ID (bring your a valid passport, U.S. driver’s license or U.S. government-issued picture ID). Vicky Metternich will send you an email letting you know that you are in the system and are able to get your card.

http://ist.mit.edu/start-fac-staff
As a member of the MIT community, you have access to a wide range of computer-based facilities and tools that will help you to get your work done. To take advantage of many of these electronic resources, you first need to establish an official identity that will allow you to pass through MIT’s online security systems. Through this site you can sign up for a Kerberos/Athena account and get a personalized certificate on the computer you are using to ensure secure accessibility to otherwise protected sites like the Employee Self Service (ESS).

https://atlas.mit.edu/
A single online gateway for administrative systems at MIT. You can access the services you need – both self-service and administrative system functions – all in one place. Some key features include:

  • Home Page – Find helpful resources and learn about current activities.
  • Build your own Menu – Personalize your home page menu for the work tasks that you need most.
  • About Me – Update your personal info, payroll direct deposit, view paystubs, and more.
  • Campus Life – Learn about what is going on and connect with others at MIT.
  • People Search – Look up MIT colleagues from within Atlas and save favorite contact in address book.
  • Feedback Button – Let us know what you think.

Over time, Atlas will provide access to additional systems, refresh older administrative applications, and improve users’ ability to organize work activities according to specific roles and individual needs.

https://atlas.mit.edu/atlas/Main.action?tab=aboutMe&sub=w4
If you are paid by MIT, complete your Tax Withholdings under the Money Matters tab in the Employee Self Service site. International visitors are encouraged to find out if they are eligible for coverage by a tax treaty. You may either visit the Payroll office in NE49-3131 to obtain forms, or email payroll@mit.edu with your name, MIT ID number and country of residence to ask if you are eligible. You will need to file a U.S. tax return by April 15 for the preceding calendar year.  For more information about tax publications and resources for international scholars, visit: http://web.mit.edu/scholars/intlscholars/taxes/index.html

Taxes are processed through two separate offices depending on the type of payments involved, HR/Payroll and Accounts Payable.

Tax Form

Issued for:

Issued by:

W-2

Salary and wage payments to employees and students excluding wages that are exempt under a tax treaty

HR/Payroll
payroll@mit.edu or 617-253-3337

1042s

1) Salary and wage payments to employees and students who are non‐resident aliens
covered by a tax treaty
2) Fellowship payments covered by a tax
treaty which had federal income tax
withheld

HR/Payroll (payroll@mit.edu or 617-253-3337):  Salary can wage payments, fellowships

Accounts Payable (accounts-payable@mit.edu or 617-253-2750): Honoraria, prizes and awards, fellowships, non-graduate student salaries, etc.

1099-MISC

Independent contractors, royalties and
other income

Accounts Payable (accounts-payable@mit.edu or 617‐253‐2750)

1099‐R

Pension payments to retirees and Long Term Disability payments

HR/Payroll
payroll@mit.edu or 617-253-3337

http://emergency.mit.net/emergency/  
Please be aware that MIT is a relatively open space, especially during the workday. There have been thefts of computers, cell phones, and wallets from offices and open areas on campus, so please make sure to secure your area and do not leave valuables unattended.

Dial 100 or 617-253-1212 from a campus phone for all police, medical/ambulance, fire/explosion, and other emergencies. Non-emergency injuries should be reported to your supervisor and MIT Health Department, E23, 253-1311 (open 24 hours per day/ 7 days per week).  After contacting the proper authorities, please also let Physics HQ staff know about thefts and any injuries within 24 hours of the accident.

For information about emergency MIT closings, check http://emergency.mit.net/emergency/ or sign up for MIT Alert.

http://housing.mit.edu/

http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/
W20-022, mitparking@mit.edu, 617-258-6510, Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

  • Alternative Transit Subsidy        
  • Bicycling          
  • Carpool/Vanpool          
  • Emergency Ride Home
  • Shuttles           
  • T-Passes         
  • Zipcar
  • Parking is available on campus and you must sign up via the department parking coordinator, Vicky Metternich (4-311, vickym@mit.edu, 3-4804).