# Getting Started
Getting Started Guide for New Quad Postdocs
### Check-list for New Postdocs expand\_more
**IMPORTANT: Federal policy requires you to sign up for benefits within 30 days of your start date.** **If you do not receive a Benefits Package at your home mailing address within two weeks of your start date, call the Benefits Office at 617/496-4001.** You are strongly encouraged to review the slideshow presentation for a detailed overview of your benefits as the orientation presentation will be a brief overview of the benefits: [The Benefits of Working at Harvard](/files/postdoc.hms/files/2019_neo_general_post_docs.pdf)
\_\_\_\_ Meet with your department administrator to make sure all the proper forms have been completed and submitted so that you can start your postdoctoral position at HMS/HSDM right away.
\_\_\_\_ Review the HMPA's [Resource for New Starters](https://hmpa.hms.harvard.edu/resources)
\_\_\_\_ If you are an international postdoc, register with the [Harvard International Office](http://www.hio.harvard.edu/): (p) 617/495-2789 and review their checklist closely. Among other things, there are instructions about important topics such as obtaining a social security number.
\_\_\_\_ Check with the [Tax Office](https://finance.harvard.edu/tax-services) to find out about your tax liabilities if you are a non-US citizen/permanent resident. Telephone 617/496-5224.
\_\_\_\_ All new postdocs are invited to attend the New Postdoc Orientation upon their arrival at HMS and will receive an email notification to alert them. If you cannot attend orientation or would like to reschedule for a later date, email: [postdoc\_office@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:postdoc_office@hms.harvard.edu). [More info about orientation can be found HERE](/orientation)
\_\_\_\_ Go to the [Harvard Longwood ID Office,](https://www.campusservicecenter.harvard.edu/id-cards/obtain) New Research Building (NRB), 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur; Room 133, Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and to pick up an ID Application. Your PI will help you complete the Risk Assessment Form to help determine what training you will need and sign up for classes through Environmental Health and Safety or the Office of Research Subject Protection.
\_\_\_\_ Confirm your email account has been activated. As part of the appointment process, an email account will be automatically generated for you with the typical naming convention of "[Firstname\_Lastname@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:Firstname_Lastname@hms.harvard.edu)". Please check with your department administrator or contact the [IT Department](https://it.hms.harvard.edu/service/hms-email-account) to confirm your account has been created.
\_\_\_\_ Claim your HarvardKey at [http://key.harvard.edu](http://key.harvard.edu/). HarvardKey is the University’s unified login credential that gets you access to many of the Harvard web applications and services you use every day, such as the HOLLIS library catalog, PeopleSoft for HR and payroll information, and more.
\_\_\_\_ Activate your HMS ID [here](https://it.hms.harvard.edu/our-services/accounts-and-user-access/hms-account-activation). The HMS ID and MyHMS is the Harvard Medical School Intranet and can be used to access information and resources specific to HMS.
\_\_\_\_ Familiarize yourself with Peoplesoft to view your paycheck past and present, enter or change your direct deposit, home address, or W4 information. Log in to PeopleSoft using your HarvardKey from the "HARVie" employee intranet site followed by clicking on "Peoplesoft" in the upper righthand corner of the screen.
\_\_\_\_ Set up direct deposit online in [Peoplesoft via Harvard HR](http://hr.harvard.edu/). HMS Human resources payroll may be reached at 617/432-2035 with any questions you may have.
\_\_\_\_ Add [ORCID](https://orcid.org/) iD to your Harvard identity by vising [Harvard ORCID Connect](https://orcid.iam.harvard.edu/) site ()
\_\_\_\_ Make sure that all of your contact information in the Harvard Web Directory is correct. ()
\_\_\_\_ Make sure you sign up for MessageMe, Harvard’s Emergency Notification System: and program the [HUPD](https://www.hupd.harvard.edu/) number (617/432-1212) into your contacts
\_\_\_\_ Postdocs are eligible to receive a 20% discount on purchases at the HMS cafeterias. Discount is only available to postdocs whose primary appointment is in one of the Quad labs (Quad-based). To get the postdoc discount you need a sticker on your HUID, your department or onboarding administrator should have those stickers.
\_\_\_\_ Visit the RCR Training website to find out when the required ethics courses are going to be offered and register: [http://bioethics.hms.harvard.edu/rcr-responsible-conduct-research.](http://bioethics.hms.harvard.edu/rcr-responsible-conduct-research) Postdocs working at HMS are required to complete RCR training, regardless of funding source.
\_\_\_\_ As you begin your research, here are some useful links to help you [navigate data security and privacy at the university.](https://postdoc.hms.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum4051/files/2025-07/Security%20and%20Privacy%20Information.pdf)
\_\_\_\_Research Data Management [Onboarding Checklist ](https://datamanagement.hms.harvard.edu/about/where-start/data-management-onboarding) serves as a general, research data management-focused guide to best practices for trainees as they join a new lab or begin new projects.
### Relocation Tasks expand\_more
\_\_\_ Visit the [Harvard Real Estate Services](https://www.huhousing.harvard.edu/) website to investigate housing that might be available to you as an affiliate of Harvard University.
\_\_\_ Visit the Harvard Postdoc Benefits Resources page:
\_\_\_ Check the Harvard listings for off-campus housing:
\_\_\_ Boston Postdoctoral Association ([BPDA](http://bostonpostdocs.org/housing/)) has compiled an "insider's guide" for locating housing in the Boston area. [Attached](/file_url/208)
\_\_\_ Temporary Homes for Academics & Scholars: (*Sharing this link is not an endorsement of the site*)
\_\_\_ [Harvard University Housing (HUH) for Postdocs and Visiting Researchers with Families](/file_url/347) (Harvard University Housing Blog Post by Disha Malani)
[\_\_\_\_](https://hmpa.hms.harvard.edu/resources) Know your rights as a tenant in Massachusetts: ["Renting in Massachusetts"](https://www.mass.gov/renting-in-massachusetts) This website from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts reviews the renter and landlord's rights and responsibilities.
\_\_\_ Sign up online for discounted Massachusetts MBTA Passes if you will be taking public transportation and are benefits eligible for this discount. See: [http://www.commuterchoice.harvard.edu](http://www.commuterchoice.harvard.edu/)
\_\_\_ Set up a bank account. If you are an international postdoc, a good place to start an account is through the [Harvard Employee's Credit Union](http://www.huecu.org/). There you may easily obtain a credit card. Telephone 617/495-4460
\_\_\_ Familiarize yourself with the shuttle schedules by visiting [http://www.MASCO.org](http://www.masco.org/).
### Benefits and Support for Postdocs expand\_more