Support Resources for Postdocs

Questions or concerns may be directed to your school’s Dean’s Office.

UGEPA is always here to help you. You may reach out to Sharon McCullough with questions/concerns. To schedule a meeting with Sharon, you may also reach out to Colleen Bailey.

The goal of University Ombuds is to promote a respectful and inclusive community. This is done by resolving conflicts, challenging perceptions, and advocating for fairness for everyone at the University.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides professional and confidential guidance provided at no cost for postdocs and their immediate family members. Life-Work Connections/EAP will help assess issues and provide short-term counseling and referrals as needed with life events.

Postdocs are encouraged to register with the Office of Disability Resources to request accommodations.

Several resources are available through the University’s Well-U program including mental health support and one-on-one condition management coaching via telehealth and virtual fitness classes.

Mental health resources:

• UR Medicine Crisis Call Line – (585) 275-8686
• Monroe Mobile Crises Team – (585) 529-3721

These resources are available to postdocs and their families coping with issues related to a mental illness, for example, a panic or anxiety attack, but who do not feel the need to visit the Psychiatric Emergency Department.

Help for eligible employees with dependent care expenses by granting awards of up to $3,600/year per household.
Only eligible for Postdoctoral Associates (job code 0093).

The family care program offers a variety of benefits including discounts on childcare. Eligibility varies by job code.

Full-time Postdoctoral Associates (job code 0093) are eligible upon appointment for a 95% tuition waiver for up to 2 credit-bearing courses per semester/mini-semester only at the University of Rochester.

The UR Food Pantry is need-blind and does not require income or financial aid information to be served. The Food Pantry should be used by any postdoc who is food insecure for any reason. Please note that you can place as many orders for grocery bags as you need, up to three grocery bags per week – it’s not a one-time service.

See the UGEPA website for a list of career and professional development resources for postdocs.

URochester is proud to be an organizational member of the NPA. As part of this partnership, all URochester postdocs can enjoy a free affiliate membership with the NPA, granting access to invaluable resources, professional development opportunities, and a vibrant network of peers nationwide.

See list at bottom of page.

Connect with the URochester Postdoctoral Association.

The River Campus Interfaith Chapel is available to offer support to postdocs. Postdocs are welcome to email Reverend Dr. C. Denise Yarbrough if they are struggling. The Medical Center also has Chaplains who are available to support the SMD community. Postdocs may call the office at 275-2187 for more immediate assistance.

Below are conduct- and expectations-related policies for URochester postdocs throughout the University.

• URochester Code of Conduct
• Research Integrity
• Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Discriminatory Employment/Service Practices
• Sexual Misconduct and Title IX

Expectations may vary by school, department, division, center, and/or research group. Consult your department administrator.

The University of Rochester strives to be a community which sets the highest standards for how we treat each other. That’s why we want to offer a reminder about how to report any type of concern including misconduct, mistreatment, bullying, incivility, unprofessional behavior, unethical behavior, covid concerns, discrimination, harassment, etc. by members of the University community including students, postdocs, staff, and faculty.

You can contact and discuss concerns with the individuals and/or areas listed below, and they will engage others as appropriate and/or required. Please don’t worry about reporting to the “right” area; you will be connected to the appropriate parties as needed. That said, if you are dissatisfied with the handling of your concern, you may raise your concern to another area at any time. Please note that every effort will be made to keep your concern private, however, some concerns may fall under mandatory reporting requirements related to harassment and discrimination and/or research-related misconduct.

• Report concerns of discrimination or harassment based on a protected class via the Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Discriminatory Employment/Service Practices (PADH)
• Report to the department chair your program/appointment resides in and/or the department chair associated with the incident you are reporting
• Report to the University Office for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs by emailing Sharon McCullough and/or Rick Libby directly
• Report to the Office of University Engagement and Enrichment
• Report Sexual Misconduct or other Title IX-related concern
• Report a Bias-Related Incident
• Report to the Office of Research Integrity
• Report to the University Committee on Animal Resources (UCAR)

Contact Public Safety  by phone at 585-273-3333 for immediate incident response or to report criminal or suspicious activity (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).