Advocacy and Mistreatment Reporting
Mount Sinai Institutional Policies
Social Resources
Mental Health Resources
Housing Resources
Financial Resources
Child Care Resources
Resources for International Postdocs
Career Development
Navigating Career Choices
Planning Your Research Program
Grants and Fellowships Opportunities
Conflict Management
Work-life Balance
How to be a Good Mentee
How to be an Effective Mentor
Advocacy and Mistreatment Reporting
Ombuds Office Link
The Ombuds office is a safe, informal, impartial, and strictly confidential place where students and postdoctoral fellows in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, medical students at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, residents and fellows in the Graduate Medical Education programs, and faculty can freely discuss any issue of concern. The office functions independently of any organizational structure. Tel: 212-659-8848
Mistreatment Reporting Form Link
Mount Sinai has a zero tolerance policy for mistreatment, harassment, or discrimination of students and trainees. Any instances of these behaviors can be reported using this feedback Form. This form can be completed anonymously.
Trainee Mistreatment Resource Panel Link
The Trainee Mistreatment Resource Panel is a student-run organization founded in 2016 that is dedicated to extending the resources available for all research trainees (graduate students and postdocs) to report mistreatment and thus assist students and postdocs in reaching out for Institutional support. Engaging with this resource permits the trainee to remain anonymous, unless he or she chooses to reveal their identity.
Mt. Sinai Institutional Policies
Postdoc Handbook Link
Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Link
Student Policies Link
Comprehensive List of ISMMS Resources Link
Social Resources
ISMMS Postdoc Events Link
Postdoc Social Fridays Link
Trainee Health and Wellness (THAW) Link
Postdoc Peer Mentoring Link
Mental Health Resources
Student Trainee Mental Health Link
STMH is currently offering confidential telehealth services which are available to all students and postdocs regardless of insurance plan.
Call or email to set up an appointment.
STMH@mssm.edu
9 am-5 pm: 212-659-8805
For after-hours support, please call this 24/7 hotline dedicated specifically for Mount Sinai Students and Postdocs. 212-241-2400 (or 1-866-339-7725).
Trainee Health and Wellness Link
Sinai Calm Events (Weekly Yoga, Meditation, Art) Link
Outside Sinai Mental Health Resources: Headway Link
Housing Resources
Postdoc Housing Link
NYC Apartment Resources Link
Housing Locator Map Link
Housing Office General Contact Info: 1249 Park Avenue, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10029.
Email: housing@mountsinai.org
Phone: 212-659-9630
Financial Resources
Emergency Postdoctoral Trainee Support Fund
The graduate school recently established an Emergency Postdoctoral Trainee support fund, to support postdocs who may be incurring unanticipated personal expenses this summer due to Covid-19 (ex. childcare). To request support, fill out the GSBS Emergency Request Form Link or contact Bradley Gano, Associate Dean for Graduate School Administration, at bradley.gano@mssm.edu with questions.
Banks and Financial Services Near ISMMS Link
Best Banks in New York City 2017 Link
Find a Checking Account Near You on FindABetterBank Link
Opening a Bank Account in the U.S. Tips for International Students Link
Child Care Resources
ISMMS Parent and Family Services Link
ISMMS Child Care Center Link
Mt. Sinai Child Care Resource Directory Link
Resources for International Postdocs
Mt. Sinai Resources for International Personnel Link
International Postdoc Survival Guide – Signposts to Living in the United States Link
This site provides a guide to a range of topics relevant to international postdocs, including income taxes, obtaining a credit card and visas.
Guide to J-1 and H1-B visas for postdocs Link
This FAQ page provides detailed information about these two types of visas for postdocs
Coming to America: Doing a Postdoc in the U.S. Link
This blog post addresses a number of challenges encountered by international postdocs and considers how to manage these issues.
Challenges Facing International Graduate Students, Postdocs, & Professionals Living and Working in the US Link
This extensive article provides insights into a variety of issues, including immigration, homesickness, culture shock, and obtaining a Social Security number.
Career Development
BioCareers Link
BioCareers enhances ISMMS’ professional development resources and provides job postings in the life sciences as well as a variety of career options available nationwide to PhDs and MDs. This can be a good source of job listings for positions in pharmaceutical research, museum-based research, and academia. Registration is required.
New York Academy of Sciences Link
All first-year postdocs receive a complimentary membership to the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS), which has extensive web-based and on-site professional development resources.
Individual Development Plan Link
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs strongly encourages postdoctoral fellows to take an early and active role in generating a concrete plan for their future, and Individual Development Plans (IDPs) can be of great assistance in this process. An excellent IDP has been generated by FASEB and AAAS. Ideally fellows will discuss their plans and steps they are taking toward achieving their goals with their PIs and other mentors.
Office of Career Services & Strategy Link
The Office of Career Services & Strategy strives to provide effective personalized strategy for career path determination, focus and pursuit through individual appointments, walk-in office hours, workshops on the most relevant career topics, as well as resume feedback and interview preparation.
Navigating Career Choices
Career options for PhDs (National Postdoc Association) Link
This site provides useful resources for 10 categories of careers available to postdocs
15 Career paths for PhDs and postdocs Link
This article describes 15 potential careers, including market research, entrepreneurship, and communication careers.
What comes after the postdoc? Link
This blog post considers the pros and cons of various careers available to postdocs
Planning Your Research Program
Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty (Howard Hughes Medical Institute) Link
This book is a collection of practical advice and experiences from seasoned biomedical investigators and includes chapters on laboratory leadership, getting funded, project management, and teaching and course design.
How to write a research plan Link
This substantial article provides guidance on how to tell a good story and demonstrate independence when applying for tenure-track positions.
Writing the Research Plan for Your Academic Job Application Link
This guide advises having three projects: one that is a safe bet, one that is high in risk and reward, and a third project that is intermediate in its characteristics.
Opportunities for Grants and Fellowships
ISMMS Postdoc Funding Opportunities Link
Extensive list of sites that offer funding opportunities Link
Funding Opportunities for Postdoctoral Scholars Link
Postdoctoral Non-NIH Funding Opportunities Link
Postdoctoral Grant Programs Link
Funding Opportunities for Postdocs Link
Managing Conflict
Mind Matters: Managing Conflict in the Lab Link
This summary article provides strategies to minimize conflict, including fostering improved communication, anticipating potential conflicts and resolving them before they arise, and addressing conflicts promptly to ensure that morale and productivity are maintained.
Butting Heads: Conflict Resolution for Postdocs, Part I Link
This post addresses potential conflicts that postdocs may encounter, including authorship disputes and institutional resources that are often available for conflict resolution
Butting Heads: Conflict Resolution for Postdocs, Part II Link
This installment focuses on using ombudspersons to assist in resolving conflicts effectively.
Overcoming Conflicts in the Lab—and Beyond Link
The author recounts how always having to be “right” damaged his career, and he provides a set of recommendations for solving conflicts in academic settings.
Balancing Work and Personal Life
Can scientists really have work/life balance? Link
This blog post considers some questions postdocs should ask themselves when establishing work-life balance.
Surviving as a postdoc Link
The author of this article provides recommendations to achieve happiness as a postdoc, including surrounding yourself with like-minded people and being flexible with your expectations.
List of family-friendly policies of the NIH Link
The NIH offers flexibility in extending eligibility for early-stage investigators and supporting workforce re-entry through funding supplements.
How to Be a Good Mentee
How to Be a Successful Mentee (including useful Types of Mentoring Relationships graphic) Link
This provides a list of the qualities of successful mentees, including a commitment to the mentoring relationship; flexibility and openness to suggestions; and the ability to integrate mentoring input as one aspect of a more complete professional development plan.
Tips for Mentees Link
This site describes the traits that promote the success of mentees, including taking ownership of your own learning; preparing for mentoring meetings and completing all agreed actions; and the willingness to identify career goals and to work to achieve them.
10 Tips for Being a Good Mentee Link
This resource provides guidance about succeeding as a mentee, including attending each meeting with a prepared agenda; setting realistic expectations; and being willing to take appropriate risks to further your career, such as learning new skills or participating in an activity that is new to you.
How to Be a Great Mentee Link
This site lists 10 tips for fostering a good mentorship, including understanding what you are seeking from the mentoring relationship, and pursuing the appropriate mentor; being proactive in maintaining the mentoring relationship; and being honest during mentoring conversations about any struggles you might be experiencing, to fully benefit from your mentor’s guidance.
It Takes Two: A Guide to Being a Good Mentee Link
This guide advises how you can ensure that your mentor mutually benefits from your mentoring relationship. Tips include being proactive and committed, to demonstrate that the mentoring relationship is important to you; returning reciprocal benefit to your mentor; and being appreciative of your mentor’s time.
How to Be an Effective Mentor
Nature’s Guide for Mentoring Link
This detailed guide provides extensive advice on effective mentoring, including being enthusiastic about the mentoring relationship; being sensitive to your mentee’s individuality; and being a source of inspiration and optimism for your mentee.
Career Toolkit: Mentoring Link
This set of resources includes beneficial qualities for mentors to possess, including availability for regular meetings; asking thoughtful and insightful questions; and being widely read and providing insightful suggestions.
Mentoring in the Middle: Advice for Postdocs Link
This guide provides advice for postdocs who seek to be mentors, including encouraging your mentee to set goals; being an active listener who inquires about your mentee’s progress and provides useful suggestions; and encouraging your mentee to be a part of the larger community to extend their support system beyond the immediate mentoring relationship.
Mentoring International Postdocs Link
This extensive guide provides detailed resources on topics including navigating life in the US, language barriers, and visa issues.