New Postdoc Resources
- Meet the Business Manager: The Department you are joining will provide you with all the paperwork necessary to get into the University system especially for payroll, benefits etc.
- Office of Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs (BPP): Contact the BPP as soon as you arrive at the University. BPP function is to help all postdoctoral appointees of the Perelman School of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, School of Nursing, The Department of Biology at the School of Arts & Sciences, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Monell Chemical Senses Center, Swarthmore College and The Wistar Institute Center. The office is located at M102 John Morgan Bldg. Tel: (215) 573-4332 or Email: postdoc@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- New Postdoc Orientation: This a resource for all new postdocs organized by the BPP. It is typically held three times a year and provides in-depth information about all the resources available to biomedical postdocs at the University of Pennsylvania
- Other useful information to get started
- Health Insurance: Set up your Health Insurance Benefits (Tel: 1-800-319-9557). You are eligible for a FREE health insurance coverage for yourself through University of Pennsylvania Postdoctoral Insurance Plan in cooperation with Gallagher Benefit Services. This benefit should be paid in addition to your stipend and should not be deducted from your stipend. If you also select family coverage, you must tell the Penn Benefits Center who will pay for family coverage-you, your department, or a grant (if applicable). If you are paying for family coverage, the difference between the single and family premium will be deducted from your stipend but this is not a pre-tax deduction. See premium rates.
- Family and Dependent Health Coverage: See options for family insurance available through University of Pennsylvania Postdoctoral Insurance Plan.
- Dental Insurance: University of Pennsylvania Postdoctoral Insurance Plan includes dental insurance. Details of the plan are available on-line.
- PennCard: The PennCard is the official University of Pennsylvania identification card for students, faculty, staff, and other members of the University community. You can use your PennCard to access a myriad of services at Penn. The PennCard Center is located at the Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut Street. Tel: 215-417-CARD. E-mail: penncard@pobox.upenn.edu
- PennKey: Obtain a PennKey ID and password to open emails accounts and access other University information
- Building Access: Entry into most Research Buildings in the School of Medicine requires activation of your Penn ID Card. Contact the appropriate people in your department and/or visit the Security Office at 109 Stellar-Chance Laboratories, if you have any questions.
- Training modules: Most departments in the School of Medicine require mandatory completion of Radiation Safety, Bioethics, Animal Handling, Health and Lab Safety Training programs offered by the University
- Housing Options
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The Office of Off-Campus Living has an excellent database of rental places. It is also a very useful source of practical information about the practical things you need to know before signing the lease. You can also go to their office at 4046 Walnut, Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm.
- Make sure you pay attention to lease renewal terms. Some companies expect you to renew lease up to 6 months ahead of your end of lease. BPC postdocs can get special lease renewal terms at New Horizons Housing (4101 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19104)
- My apartment map has ain interactive map, so that students can easily find housing near campus . It even shows nearby grocery stores, public transportation, and other amenities
- Other useful websites to check out apartment listings in the Philadelphia area are: zumper.com apartment.com, rent.com, homestore.com, renttoown.com
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- Day care/ Childcare options: Penn Children’s Center is open to all University Faculty, staff and students.
- Public Transportation:
- On Campus: Various services are provided for the transportation of employees to/from campus.
- It includes Pennbus, Penn Shuttle, PAT (handivan) and walking escort. Information can be found on the Transportations services website.
- LUCY With a valid ID you can use this SEPTA service to loop through the campus, 30th street station and other stops in the University city area
- Off Campus: SEPTA is the network of public transportation of Philadelphia and most of the useful information can be found on their website. SEPTA includes:
- Rail Service: R2, R3 and R1 lines directly stop at the University City Station. You can connect to these trains at 30thStreet Station. Monthly passes range from $100- $150.
- Trolley service connects to the University on Spruce Street.
- Numerous bus routes operate through the University City Area
- Passes and trolley tokens are sold at the University Transportation office at Suite 447A, 3401 Walnut St. Tel (215) 898-8667 or on the second floor of the Penn Bookstore
- On Campus: Various services are provided for the transportation of employees to/from campus.
- Parking
- Access to parking on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania is provided through the Department of Transportation and Parking, which manages and operates a number of visitor and permit parking facilities. Be warned that the waiting list for postdocs for most faculty-permit garages can be as long as 3 years!
- Public Safety:
- The University of Pennsylvania Division of Public Safety includes Penn police. The emergency number from campus is 511 and 215-573-3333 from off campus
- RAD: The Rape Aggression Defense System is a free service offered by Penn Police dedicated to teaching women defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assault, by utilizing easy, effective and proven self-defense/martial arts tactics
- Social Interaction and Recreation:
- Intramural Sports for Postdocs
- Penn Groups & Organizations
- Gym facilities: Penn Rec
- Entertainment: Cinemark University City Penn 6, The Annenberg Center, and University City Events
- Restaurants: In University City
- University of Pennsylvania resources:
- The campus map is very useful to find your way around the University of Pennsylvania campus
- Check the Resource related links for Postdocs in this website
- Contact information: Here is a link to some important telephone numbers
- Philadelphia resources:
- University City
- The following sources give local information about Philadelphia
- Shopping Malls: Places to Shop in Center City and Surrounding Areas (most are accessible by public transportation): The Shops at Liberty Place, The Market and Shops at Comcast Center, Fashion District Philadelphia, King of Prussia Mall, Philadelphia Premium Outlets, Philadelphia Mills, Plymouth Meeting Mall, and Cherry Hill Mall (NJ). Additional information can be found: Center City District and Shopping in Philadelphia.
Contact Us!
If you have any questions, suggestions or recommendations on any issues affecting Postdocs at the University of Pennsylvania please contact the council at pcouncil@pennmedicine.upenn.edu