Resources

We believe that making a better MIT for every member of the community—students, staff, and faculty—is a prerequisite to making a better world. Success in our endeavors requires a safe and supportive environment that helps us face difficulties with persistence and resilience. We are committed to providing resources for the physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being of our community members, and believe that we have a shared responsibility to treat one another with respect and integrity. Community Resources What is MIT’s policy on harassment? Whom do I contact in my department if I experience or observe harassment or abuse? What are my other options for addressing harassment or violations of MIT policy if I am a student or if I am a faculty or staff member employed at MIT? Where can I find student resources for conflict resolution? Where can I find support for mental and physical health? For students For staff, postdocs and faculty MIT Benefits Community Wellness MyLife Services Where can I find MIT resources for diversity, equity, and inclusion? What does the School of Science do to support diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Nominations for the Infinite Mile and Infinite Expansion Award are solicited twice annually. Infinite Expansion Awards are due in November and Infinite Mile Award nominations are due February 3. Previous award winners will not be eligible to receive another award for one year from the date of the first award received.

MIT School of Science and the Institute offer a range of direct services and resources to promote the health and well-being of MIT postdocs and their families. MIT Work-Life Center The MIT Work-Life Center offers a range of direct services and resources to promote the health and well-being of MIT community members and their families, including guidance on adult and senior care, child care services and schools.  The Work-Life Center provides access to MyLife Services, free round-the-clock access to a network of experts who are available to help with life concerns. Family Leaves Maternity Leave MIT grants eight weeks of sick leave to birth mothers at 100% regular pay, and are entitled to an additional four weeks of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Some birth mothers take all or part of the four-week period as vacation and may also qualify for additional five days of paid parental leave. Parental Leave MIT will provide up to five days of paid parental leave to eligible mothers and fathers within four months after the birth of a child, adoption of a child, or placement of a foster child. This applies to postdoctoral associates working at least 50% time and who have been employed by MIT for a least one year. Family Care Technology Childcare Centers MIT hosts five Technology Childcare Centers, four on the main campus and one at the Lincoln Laboratory, managed by Bright Horizons Family Solutions.  Full-time and part-time infant, toddler, and preschool care are available, with a limited number of slots for graduate student families. Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Eligible MIT employees can set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax salary in a flex account to spend on day care, preschool, day camps, and after school care. Backup Child Care and Adult Care Referral Program Eligible MIT employees can sign up for Care.com BackupCare to arrange for day or night in-home care for children or another family member who needs assistance. Employees are responsible for the hourly cost of screened and trained caretakers. On-Campus Lactation Rooms MIT has several dedicated lactation rooms around campus intended for the use of the MIT community, and the School of Science and its departments sponsor several more for their own communities. All rooms have at minimum locking doors, good lighting and ventilation, electrical outlets, a comfortable chair, waste baskets and cleaners, and a nearby refrigerator and sink.

Postdoctoral scholars are integral parts of MIT’s dynamic academic and research community. Our more than 500 postdocs pursue programs of research and training under the direction of an MIT faculty member. We support our postdocs through programs that we hope will highlight the next steps to take on their career paths. Because MIT is a sustaining member of the National Postdoctoral Association, your MIT affiliation allows you to join the NPA for free. School of Science’s postdoctoral programs Biology Brain and Cognitive Sciences Chemistry Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Mathematics Physics Whitehead Institute

At the MIT School of Science, we celebrate the achievements of faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Awards and Honors Our talented community has been honored with many awards. MIT School of Science Awards Undergraduate and Graduate Teaching Prizes The School of Science annually awards teaching prizes for faculty excellence in teaching. Nominations for awards are submitted in the late spring. Dean’s Fellowship The Dean of the School of Science offers a fellowship to students nominated by their departments to support their graduate studies. Staff Excellence Awards The Staff Excellence Awards program recognizes the significant contributions School of Science staff members make to the MIT community, particularly for accomplishments that go beyond their typical roles and duties. Spot Awards Infinite Mile Award Infinite Expansion Award

Any member of the MIT School of Science community may nominate another member or members of our community for a Spot Award to acknowledge and demonstrate appreciation and recognition for the exceptional contributions of individuals and teams, large or small, to the School of Science community. Nominations can be made at any time and award winners will receive a token of your appreciation soon after. Please contact the specific DLCI HQ about how to nominate someone in their unit.