New Postdoc Orientation

Welcome to the University of Maryland! Below, you’ll find some resources to help you settle into your new role. Learn about some of the services, policies, and practices that apply to postdocs, and prepare for your first day as a UMD postdoc!

New Employee Onboarding

If you are appointed as a Postdoctoral Associate or as a Postdoctoral Scholar, you are classified as a University of Maryland employee (specifically, a faculty member). This designation means that you will be onboarded by University Human Resources. UHR has a comprehensive checklist on their site to help onboard new employees. It includes information about what you should do before your first day, in your first week, and in your first few months as a postdoc. It also contains information about employee benefits. You can find that checklist here.

If you are appointed as a Postdoctoral Fellow, you are not classified as a UMD employee. Check out this page for additional information about postdoctoral titles and benefits.

Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Orientation

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs hosts a New Postdoc Orientation every other month, alternating between in-person and virtual sessions. Postdocs are strongly encouraged to attend at least one of these orientations in their first year. You are invited to learn more about the resources and offices available as a postdoc here at UMD, and to meet some of the individuals who support postdocs on campus.

Upcoming orientations will be advertised on the Graduate School Events Calendar and in the biweekly OPA Newsletter (which incoming postdocs are automatically subscribed to).

Postdoc Manual

The Postdoc Manual provides additional information on everything from UMD policies; postdoc benefits; first-day checklists for postdocs; and guides to on- and off-campus housing, dining, and recreation. We recommend that you read through it as you’re starting your postdoc, and refer back to it when new questions arise.

Additional Questions?

Find more information here about the Faculty/Staff process for onboarding new postdocs.

Return to the “For New Postdocs” page to explore resources for international postdocs, set research and career goals for your postdoctoral term, and learn more about campus resources for postdocs.

And if you have any further questions, please reach out to Dr. Blessing Enekwe at blessing@umd.edu.