Information & Resources

Information Central

Housing: Typical housing prices in the Princeton area are higher than in many parts of the country and average $900/month for a studio and $1500/month for a two-bedroom. Cheaper apartments with accessible public transportation may be found outside Princeton in neighboring Plainsboro, Princeton Junction, and parts of Lawrenceville and Kingston. Please note that under NJ law, tenants signing a lease are liable for the entire lease period, and should compare prices carefully before signing an agreement. University housing is not generally available for postdoctoral scholars. Postdocs may apply, but are very unlikely to receive housing through the University unless they have a dual appointment as a lecturer. Off campus housing information can be obtained through the University Off Campus Housing website (use netID or contact Sarah Major <smajor> for access), or through TigerTrade (accessible on campus or, with netID, by VPN).

Benefits: When you arrive on campus, one of the first things you'll need to do is visit Human Resources in New South. They will give you a packet of information regarding health care and retirement plans to choose from.

International Scholars: Postdoctoral scholars coming to Princeton from abroad have several resources available to ease the transition. Visa support is available to incoming Princeton employees through the Office of Visa Services, while more a more general welcome to the US and to Princeton is provided by the Davis International Center. The staff at Davis can help answer questions regarding visas and transitioning to life in Princeton. Davis also hosts Cheers Around the World, an opportunity to mix and mingle with international scholars. American postdocs are welcome at these events if they are accompanied by an international postdoc.

The McGraw Center for Teaching & Learning: The McGraw Center surveys research on human learning to promote best practices in the classroom, and provides pedagogical training to postdoctoral scholars both informally and as part of a Teaching Transcript Program certification.

Princeton Career Services: Princeton Career Services provide programming for graduate students which is generally relevant to (and open to) postdocs. Programming is listed on their website, and in particular includes two annual events of interest: the academic job market overview (August) and talking about teaching (December). Moreover, postdocs can sign up for a 1/2 hour individual career counseling session, with sporadic follow-ups if necessary (email Amy Pszczolkowski <apszczol> or call 609-258-3325 to schedule an appointment). Additionally, Career Services recommends we tap the alumni networks of our undergraduate and graduate institutions. Finally, in addition to your field-dependent (academic and private-sector) research listings, consider tapping the Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Education, HigherEdJobs and Academic 360 job boards for more teaching-oriented academic posts (for which this handbook comes highly recommended).

The Princeton Writing Program provides resources to help students and postdocs write more effectively. PWP offers workshops on technical writing, as well as fellowships for postdocs to teach writing seminars for graduate students.

Course Auditing: Postdocs may audit courses as staff, registering on the first day of availability for $125 (this fee may sometimes be waived). Interested parties should contact the Office of Community and Regional Affairs <pucra>.

Alternative Careers: Very few resources exist for alternative careers, but those of us in the NYC area can benefit from Versatile PhD and the Dropout Club mailing list.

Fellowship Opportunities: Can be found here and also using the PIVOT database (you will need your netID to log in to PIVOT). Ask your department administrator what signatures you'll need before submitting. You may need to visit the Office of Reserach and Project Administration (ORPA) in advance of your application deadline.

Campus Recreation: Princeton postdocs and fellows have subsidized access to Princeton amenities: for example, gym membership is available for $212/year. Please see Campus Recreation for details.

U.S.1 Event Search Page: Provides the most up to date and broad range of events listing in the greater Princeton community.

Princeton Panda: the undergraduate wiki helps track Princeton resources and events.

Childcare: Princeton offers several child care resources for postdocs, including the Employee Childcare Assistance Program, Backup Care Advantage and University discounts to some local daycares.

Transportation: Princeton operates TigerTransit, a shuttle that runs around campus and to the surrounding community. In addition, there is a train station on campus, affectionately known as the "Dinky", that connects to NJ Transit, where you can catch trains up to NYC or down to Trenton.

Parking: Parking on campus is free for postdocs. You'll need to visit Transportation & Parking Services to register your vehicle and obtain a permit.