Before You Arrive
Things to do after you have a postdoc lined up, but before you start work.
- Read your offer letter. It contains important information, including your title code, appointment dates, starting salary, and more. You will be asked to sign and return the offer letter to accept your appointment.
- Research and prepare for the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Although postdocs are not considered students, the UCSF Student Financial Aid website may be a good resource for you in terms of creating a budget. See their rough estimate of the cost of basic needs at right.
- Make housing arrangements.
- Plan to arrive in the Bay Area with at least one month of living expenses to support yourself until you receive your first paycheck.
- International postdocs: Review the new scholars pre-arrival instructions from the International Students and Scholars Office, including how to obtain your visa.
- Contact your PI and your department to let them know your arrival date.
- Ask your PI if they are willing to reimburse part or all of your moving expenses. Not all PI’s will be able to do this, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
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