Benefits

Postdoctoral Fellows

General Information
The Benefits Summary for Postdocs provides an overview of University benefits for eligible postdocs.

A benefits presentation from the Central Benefits Office for new postdocs can be found here.

Further information regarding FY2024 health benefits can be found here.

Postdoctoral fellows who are not paid by Harvard and thus are not eligible for University benefits may purchase student health insurance for postdoctoral fellow affiliates from Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) at the affiliate rate. This affiliate insurance can be purchased for a maximum of three-years.

Cafeteria Discount for Postdocs
The Harvard Chan School provides a 20% discount to benefits-eligible postdoctoral fellows when paying at check-out at Sebastian’s Cafe, Countway Cafe, and HMS’s Courtyard Cafe. The cashiers will need to view stickers before ringing up purchases. Eligibility is limited to Harvard Chan School postdocs participating in a traditional postdoctoral fellowship, ordinarily defined as individuals in training status who are working on a project under the direction of a Harvard principal investigator (Peoplesoft job codes 069591 and 069599 only).

Stickers are provided by department administration and should be placed on your Harvard ID.

Harvard Chan School  Fitness and Wellness Benefit
Harvard Chan School postdocs who have been eligible for university benefits for one year or longer are eligible for reimbursement of health club memberships as described in the Harvard Chan School Fitness and Wellness Benefit program.

Harvard Longwood Medical Area Ombuds
The Ombudsperson is a designated neutral and, as such, does not advocate for any individual or point of view. As an impartial complaint-handler, the Ombudsperson strives to see that people are treated fairly and equitably at Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Harvard Chan School. The Office is independent of any existing administrative or academic structures and is responsible only to the dean of each school. The office supplements the existing resources available to members of our communities.  For more information please visit:  HMS/HSDM/HSPH Ombuds Office

English as a Second Language Program (ESL)
The Harvard Bridge Program offers noncredit professional development classes specifically designed to help post docs improve their pronunciation, communication and presentation skills. These classes are customized to meet students individual needs. Courses are offered in 12 week semesters in the fall and spring. Post docs who receive a pay check from Harvard pay an $80 materials fee. In addition to formal courses, one to one tutorials can also be arranged. Harvard affiliated post docs who are not paid by Harvard can also register for our classes, but will be required to pay the full tuition rate of $800/course.  For more information, please visit:  The Harvard Bridge Program

In addition to the Bridge Program, the Office of Faculty Affairs also offers ESL workshops that are free of charge in the Fall and Spring semesters.  The size of these workshops are limited to 12 participants, and post docs and other annual appointees are eligible to participate.  An email will be sent when registration for these workshops have begun.

Harvard’s Employee Assistance Program
Harvard’s Employee Assistance Program
Harvard has contracted with the nationally recognized Wellness Corporation (known within the University as Harvard’s EAP) to connect faculty and staff with a rich network of resources that can help employees manage the competing demands of work and life. Meanwhile, Harvard still provides extensive services internally. Visit HARVie to learn about Harvard’s Office of Work/Life Resources, and how to access additional services at Harvard (HarvardKey login credentials are required).

Harvard Global Support Services
The University’s global support services provides travel tools and resources to ensure safety and security, including risk ratings, safety guidelines, pre-departure support, emergency support, and travel advice. Postdocs traveling on University/School business or activities related to their professional work at SPH are covered. Please note, personal travel, including vacations or travel home to visit family is NOT covered. Visit Harvard Global Support Services for more information and to register.

Postdocs with questions regarding their benefits-eligibility should consult with their department administrator or the Office of Faculty Affairs (617-432-1047).