New Postdoc Orientations
New postdoc orientations are held every month, virtually. You will receive an email from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs during the first month of your appointment to schedule a time for orientation.
Take a USC tour
Get to know USC, take a free guided tour or pick up a self-tour guide!
Meet with your Department Administrator and Faculty Mentor
Once you have been on-boarded as a USC Postdoctoral Scholar by your department, you will receive an email requesting for you to do the following:
- On your start date, email the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (postdocs@usc.edu) for PDF-999 registration (required postdoc training course)
- Registration in PDF-999 is required each semester. You can check your registration status at myUSC.
- Enroll in the USC Postdoctoral Scholar Benefit Program
- All new incoming postdoctoral scholars will receive a benefits package regardless of whether they are employed on a principal investigator’s grant, paid from a department account, or are recipients of an externally funded fellowship. The postdoctoral scholar benefits package is designed to closely match the benefits offered to faculty and staff and includes health, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance plans. Additional information about the USC Postdoctoral Scholar Benefit Plan can be accessed on the Benefits & Privileges page.
A Note on Your Benefits Enrollment
A welcome email will be sent to you from Gallagher Benefit Services confirming your enrollment. It will detail your plans and coverage, include your Aetna ID number and a link to Aetna Navigator. Once you have registered for Aetna Navigator, you will immediately have access to your benefits online. You have 30 days from your date of hire to complete your enrollment in benefits. You will be defaulted into a medical plan that cannot be changed until the next open enrollment period if you fail to enroll (or waive out) within the above timeframe. Questions and concerns about your plan can be directed to Dane Pisano at 1-800-319-9557, UniversityServices.GBS.uscpbp@ajg.com.
- All new incoming postdoctoral scholars will receive a benefits package regardless of whether they are employed on a principal investigator’s grant, paid from a department account, or are recipients of an externally funded fellowship. The postdoctoral scholar benefits package is designed to closely match the benefits offered to faculty and staff and includes health, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance plans. Additional information about the USC Postdoctoral Scholar Benefit Plan can be accessed on the Benefits & Privileges page.
- Start your Individual Development Plan (IDP)
Your USC ID (USCard) and Activating your Email Account
To activate your USC email account, simply visit USC ITS First Login site.
Your USCard serves as your university ID and more. You can get yours by visiting USCard Services at one of their locations. Your USCard number will be provided by your department HR/Payroll Analyst and/or HR Partner during the hiring/on-boarding process.
Your Training and Learning Environment
Discover why USC is a safe and productive work and training environment, familiarize yourself with the following: USC policy and Code of Ethics.
Your Safety
For emergencies on campus, please call USC Department of Public Safety (DPS) 213-740-4321. DPS is the university police and security force and operate alongside local law enforcement. Emergency phones on campus are marked by blue lights and directly connect to DPS.
Responsible Conduct of Research
All researchers at USC are encouraged to complete online responsible conduct of research training. Classroom RCR instruction is required for certain (but not all) NIH programs and online instruction is a requirement for all NSF-funded postdoctoral scholars. Please see the Office of Research’s Responsible Conduct of Research page.
Other Unique Perks
During your postdoctoral scholar appointment at USC, you are able to access the following facilities and resources free of charge:
- USC Career Center and ConnectSC
- Lyon Center (UPC) and the HSC Fitness Center for your fitness needs
- To activate your access, please register online prior to visiting the gym.
- Current enrollment in PDF-999 is required
- The Center for Work and Family Life: get help balancing your personal and professional lives
- Lynda.com: an amazing online training program with nearly 1,000 video-based tech courses that cover everything from web design to social networking