Stanford University
Postdoctoral Scholars

Getting Started: Two to four weeks

Enroll in health benefits within 31 days

Postdoctoral Scholars are required to have medical insurance while at Stanford.  Please review http://benefits.stanford.edu/postdocs for plans offered and enrollment information. 

Schedule the required initial Individual Development Plan (IDP) meeting with your appointing faculty member within three months of your start date.

Sign-up for direct deposit (pay) and update your personal information (including mailing address and emergency contact person) in AXESS

Receive your first paycheck. Salary or Stipend or Outside Support

Salary – paid 2 x monthly, 7th and 22nd. View online pay statements in Axess. Stipend – paid 1 x month, on last day.  Pay statement is sent to Campus Work address in Axess – no online statement. Outside Support- paid at discretion of outside institution.  

INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS: Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Postdoctoral scholars are required to have a SSN or tax identification number (TIN).  If you do not have a number, apply for one at your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office as soon as possible.  Hours are Monday-Friday, 9-4.  Call 1-800-772-1213, 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment.  The three closest offices are:

  • Mountain View: Suite 350, 700 E. El Camino Real Mountain View, CA 94040
  • Redwood City:  601 Allerton St., 2nd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
  • San Mateo: Suite 101, 800 South Claremont Street, San Mateo, CA 94402

Go to the Social Security Administration web site for more details: www.ssa.gov

When you receive your number, please give it to your department as well as the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (by completing this form).

Special Reminder about Protecting Your Social Security Number (SSN)
(From: http://www.ssa.gov/phila/ProtectingSSNs.htm)

PRACTICES TO AVOID:

  • Never list an SSN when posting a paper record on a public bulletin board
  • Never send SSNs via an electronic format
  • Never have a computer log-in system where a person has to use their SSN
  • Never use SSNs on ID cards
  • Never send SSNs on postcards
  • Never store SSNs on unprotected computer systems
  • Never carry a Social Security Number (SSN) card on your person


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