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Issues Faced by International Postdocs

By Sindhura Ramasahayam posted 05-08-2014 14:50

  

This year the Postdoctoral Assembly (PDA) convened a team of postdocs to discuss the many issues presented to international postdocs, and charged them with compiling a useful list of resources to aid postdocs in transitioning to life in a new country. The PDA International Postdoctoral Taskforce included: Sindhura Ramasahayam, Smitha Infante, Andaleb Kholmukhamedov, and Alicia Bolt. Please see the results of their findings below.

The majority of postdoctoral scholars (60 percent) are foreign nationals.The largest numbers of scholars come from Europe, Australia, China, India, South/Latin America, and African and Middle Eastern countries. International postdocs and mentors often are faced with distinct challenges such as immigration, cultural, and communication barriers. It is extremely important to address these challenges. The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) has recognized a few of these issues and provided necessary solutions to these challenges as summarized below.

Immigration Issues

One of the most sensitive issues for international postdocs is visa status, which can be a tedious, expensive, and confusing endeavor. There are different types of visas (F-1, J-1 H-1B, etc) available that determine the duration of stay and whether or not a spouse can obtain employment authorization. It is crucial for the postdoc and the mentor to understand the important deadlines and requirements in advance so that the status of the trainee is never jeopardized during the length of the training period. Also, it is important to stay abreast of any changes in immigration and visa policies.

Transitioning to Life in the US

Acclimating to a new country and understanding the culture might be overwhelming for international postdocs. Institutions should provide assistance to the new trainees in terms of housing suggestions, information on setting up bank accounts and utilities, obtaining a Social Security number, understanding tax issues and legal matters, mentoring advice, safety, and transportation. 

Dealing with Communication Barriers

Communicating with peers or mentors as well as trying to understand social and workplace etiquette also might be challenging initially. Although a few of the international postdocs may be fluent in English, there will be others who will need to further this skill by taking English as a Second Language (ESL) as offered by many institutions. The inability of the postdoc to communicate with the mentor might potentially hinder the postdoc's capability to prosper. Learning to communicate well will help postdocs become better professionals.

SOT PDA Resources for International Postdocs

1.The NPA has a great resource list on their site, including information on visa status, legal seminars, income taxation, and mentoring advice.

2.NPA also has a very useful document entitled “International Postdoc Survival Guide.”

3.North Carolina State University (NCSU) has a great webpage with resources, including translator services, detailed guides of what to do upon arrival to the US, obtaining housing and utilities services, getting a driver's license as well as a Social Security Number. The webpage is On- and Off-Campus Resources for International Postdocs.

4.Stanford University's international Postdoc webpage is very useful. This webpage provides links to workshops and seminars that are held on campus for their postdocs as well as PDF files of the workshop presentations that include numerous useful links that would be of interest to international postdocs. Topics include items such as tax information, spouse/partner information, and scholarship information.

5.Below are additional links to postdoctoral fellowships for noncitizens:

a.The Rockefeller University has compiled a list of Postdoctoral Fellowship Funding Sources.

b.A lab website from Brandeis includes funding for non-US-citizens, European citizens, and research exchange programs:

c.The Smithsonian has two or three postdoc fellowships that are open to everyone.

d.The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide fellowships open to non-US citizens:

i. Postdoctoral Training in the NIH Intramural Research Program: Postdoctoral Research Training Awards (IRTAS) and Visiting Fellowships

ii.Postdoctoral Training in the NIH Intramural Research Program: Postdoctoral Research Training Awards (IRTAS) and Visiting Fellowships

Links to these and other non-SOT resources for postdocs can be found on the SOT website.

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