Information
New Postdoctoral Researcher Information

Welcome to UCSB! The following page will guide you through the items that you will need to complete as an incoming Postdoctoral Researcher. It will also direct you to information on important matters such as benefits, visas, and housing.

PRIOR TO ARRIVAL TO UCSB

Please review and complete the following:

  1. Biography Form and CV:


    2. Please download the Biography Form at the following link: Biography Form
    Please complete and return the form to us with your CV and publication list. We will finalize the Biography Form with your signature upon your arrival to UCSB.

  2. Evidence of Ph.D.

    3. Prior to your arrival at UCSB, please provide evidence that you have your Ph.D., or that you have completed all of the requirements for the Ph.D.

  3. Safety Training Documentation

    4. All participants in MRL programs are required to complete safety training prior to beginning work at UCSB. We suggest that you complete the required online training prior to your arrival at UCSB. Please download the New MRL Participant Safety Form for detailed instructions.

  4. Applicant Survey

    5. In order to comply with various Federal laws governing affirmative action, UCSB as a federal contractor must collect data on the gender and ethnicity of all its employees and prospective applicants. This data is used for affirmative action statistical reports to the Federal government and for the administration of campus equal employment opportunity/affirmative action and human resources program. You may complete the Applicant Survey form online at the following link .

Visa Information
It is important to begin visa planning well in advance of your anticipated arrival to UCSB. The UCSB Office of International Students and Scholars website provides an informative overview of visa options, of which a quick summary is given below.

  • J1 Visa:
    Most international Postdoctoral Scholars apply for J1 status in the Research Scholar category. The J1 visa can be extended for up to a five year period of stay, has a relatively quick processing time, and is fairly inexpensive; there is currently a $100 fee, plus any consulate application fees. The visa does carry a two-year home residency requirement for certain countries. For detailed information on the J1 visa, please click here and follow the links on the left-hand side of the page .


  • H1B Visa:
    The H1B application procedure is lengthy, expensive, and requires a considerable amount of documentation. Generally, this visa is not processed for incoming postdoctoral scholars.



  • F1 OPT Visa:
    If you are currently on an F1 student visa, you should apply for F1 Optional Practical Training through your current university. This will give you authorization to work for up to 12 months on F1 OPT status in a position in the area of your degree. Upon arrival to UCSB, and with approval from your advisor, you may have the option to apply for H1B status. For more information on F1 Optional Practical Training, please click here .

To coordinate visa matters please contact Sylvia Vogel (MRL applicants) or Sara Bard (MC-CAM applicants). In order for us to effectively assist you, please first complete the OISS Questionnaire .

Information on Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits
As a Postdoctoral Scholar, you are eligible for enrollment in University health insurance programs which include medical, dental and vision insurance. Complete information on the Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits for which you will be eligible can be found at:

http://www.garnett-powers.com/postdoc

You will enroll in health insurance once you have arrived to UCSB and have been formally entered into our payroll system. Enrollment must be completed within 31 days of your employment start date. Any medical costs incurred in the period between your employment date and your enrollment date, (within the 31 day period of initial eligibility or "PIE"), will be covered.

Housing Information
You can find information on housing options, neighborhood profiles and estimates of cost at the UCSB Community Housing website:

http://www.housing.ucsb.edu/hchoices/cho-general-info.htm.

University housing is not available for postdoctoral employees, but there are plenty of housing opportunities in the local community. You can find rental listings in the following locations:

  • The Santa Barbara Newspress, our local newspaper

  • Craigslist, a site where people can list their local rentals for free

  • The Faculty and Staff Off Campus Rental Listing Service is maintained by the UCSB Community Housing Office. If you would like to sign up for access to this list, please register as an individual user using the online registration form. Please list "department recharge" as the payment method, and list the name of your MRL or MC-CAM staff contact. CHO will contact us for verification that you are an authorized user.

  • The UCSB International Students Association has a listserv for international students to advertise housing and items for sale. To subscribe to this email list, send an email to:
    ISABIZ-L-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU

  • The Graduate Students Association (GSA) has a listserv for offers and requests for housing. You can join the housing listserv by clicking here.

Temporary Accommodations
Please click here for a listing of local hotels.

UPON ARRIVAL TO UCSB
Please click here to download a UCSB campus map. The location of the Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) and other buildings noted below are circled in red.

  1. See Janet in MRL 2065 to complete your new employee paperwork. Please bring 2 forms of ID and your signed safety training form (see above). If you are a non-resident alien, please also bring your passport and visa authorization.


  2. Non-resident aliens are required to report in person to the front desk of the Office of International Students and Scholars, located in the Student Resources Building, room 3130. Please note that OISS must see you in person with your passport, I-94 and DS-2019 form in order to validate your status in SEVIS.


  3. Non-resident aliens will also need to go to the UCSB Accounting office, located in the Student Affairs and Administrative Services Building, room 3201, to sign a Statement of Citizenship.


  4. Subscribe to the MRL Researcher mailing list by clicking here and entering your e-mail address. Important MRL updates, and notifications of upcoming seminars and events of interest, are sent to this list.