Links and Resources

University of Utah Information

• Utah Postdoc Association (UPDA)
  • University-wide postdoc association
  • Events calendar
  • FAQs
  • Email upda@utah.edu
• University of Utah Postdoctoral Affairs
  • Resources, information, and professional development programs for postdocs. They also have a travel award you can apply for, and have helped implement University-wide policies such as a paid parental leave policy
  • Website and contact: https://postdocs.utah.edu/, postdocs@gradschool.utah.edu 
• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
  • SACNAS is a national organization devoted to promoting  science to individuals from different backgrounds, and is open to anyone. The University of Utah chapter has a lot of involvement from graduate students and postdocs on the health science campus.
  • Website and contact: https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/sacnas/, sacnas@utah.edu 
• Office of Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX: https://oeo.utah.edu
• For information on workplace accommodations—including disability, pregnancy, and religious accommodations—visit the Human Resources page: https://www.hr.utah.edu/accommodations/index.php
• The University of Utah campus map online has information on resources and accessibility, such as gender-neutral restrooms, emergency phones, and lactation rooms. To access this feature:
  • Go to the campus map website: https://map.utah.edu/
  • Click the three horizontal lines in the upper left:
  • Scroll down to “Accessibility and safety” and click the downward pointing arrow
  • Click the buttons for the resources you are interested in to toggle them on or off on the map
  • In addition to accessibility and safety, there are options for covid test sites, parking, public transportation, dining, etc available on the map

Living in Salt Lake City and Utah

• Note that the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV, for car registration) and the Driver License Division (DLD) are separate, independent agencies in Utah.
  • Obtain a driver’s license or identification card through the Department of (for international postdocs, see section below): https://dld.utah.gov
  • For car registration: https://dmv.utah.gov/register
• Voter registration and information updates: https://vote.utah.gov/additionalInfo.html
• The Utah Pride Center has a year-round calendar of community events, including socials, support groups, seminars, etc.: https://utahpridecenter.org/calendar 
• The Utah ywca Color Collective holds monthly meet-ups from the fall through spring to provide a “community space and multi-genre program for Womxn, Femmes & Non-Binary Persons of Color (Black, Indigenous, POC) who are living in Utah”. For more information, visit: https://www.ywcautah.org/what-we-do/opportunity/color-collective/

Healthcare

• University of Utah healthcare providers are generally booked a few months out, so make appointments and try to find providers ASAP
  • For making healthcare appointments, visit https://healthcare.utah.edu
• If you participate in WellU, the University’s health and wellness program, you can get a pretty good discount on your health insurance: https://www.hr.utah.edu/benefits/wellu.php
• University of Utah’s Women’s Resource Center (available to students, staff, and faculty): https://womenscenter.utah.edu
• University of Utah Transgender Health Program: https://healthcare.utah.edu/transgender-health/
• University of Utah LGBTQ+ Health: https://healthcare.utah.edu/lgbtqia/
• Information on obtaining a University gym membership: https://campusrec.utah.edu/membership-services/
• University of Utah, Maternal Mental Health Services: https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/treatments/maternal-mental-health/
• Utah Department of Health, Maternal Mental Health: https://mihp.utah.gov/maternal-mental-health
• Department of Human Resources, Employee Assistance Program: https://www.hr.utah.edu/benefits/eap.php
  • “The EAP is a confidential counseling service that provides assistance with a variety of personal concerns, including stress, anxiety or depression, personal and emotional issues, marital, relationship and family counseling, grief or loss, substance abuse or other addictions.”
• University of Utah Resiliency Center, which includes screenings for burnout, anxiety, depression, or other disorders: https://healthcare.utah.edu/wellness/resiliency-center/
• University of Utah Counseling Services Crisis Center:https://counselingcenter.utah.edu/services/crisis.php
  • CrisisLine: 801-581-6826
    • Monday through Thursday, 8 AM – 6 PM, and Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM
  • After-hours UNI CrisisLine: 801-587-3000
  • National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides support to both individuals with mental illness and their family members. The Utah branch is located in West Valley City, and they also offer virtual services and programs in both English and Spanish: https://www.namiut.org

Reproductive Health

• Planned Parenthood Association of Utah: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-utah/utah-patients?_ga=2.49345061.2073598278.1656470841-1317015893.1656470841
• Utah Abortion Fund: https://utabortionfund.org
• National Abortion Fund: https://prochoice.org/?emci=9604c6e8-8af9-ec11-b47a-281878b83d8a&emdi=1fd2600c-8bf9-ec11-b47a-281878b83d8a&ceid=17641065
• Free birth control through HER Salt Lake (partnership between University of Utah and Planned Parenthood): https://www.hersaltlake.org/abouthersaltlake
• University of Utah, Maternal Mental Health Services: https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/treatments/maternal-mental-health/
• Utah Department of Health, Maternal Mental Health: https://mihp.utah.gov/maternal-mental-health
• Valley Women’s Health, includes women’s mental health: https://valleywomenshealth.com
• Finding verified abortion providers: https://www.abortionfinder.org
• Bedsider (non-profit devoted to providing birth control; also has lots of information on abortion providers, healthcare providers, and sexual health): https://www.bedsider.org/

Ways to get involved in reproductive access

• Bans Off Our Bodies events: https://bansoffourbodies-map.vercel.app
• Bans Off Our Bodies Protest Tips: https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/rightfully-ours/bans-off-our-bodies/protest-tips-how-stay-safe-abortion-rights-rallies
• League of Women Voters of Utah: https://www.lwvutah.org

Parents

• Postdoc Parental Leave Policy:  https://regulations.utah.edu/academics/rules/r6-309a.php
  • The new policy took effect 1 July 2022. Anyone considering taking parental leave should contact Amy Barrios: amy.barrios@pharm.utah.edu 
• Childcare
  • Visit the University of Utah Center for Child Care and Family Resources for on-campus childcare options: https://childcare.utah.edu/learn/ukids-enrollment.php
  • *NOTE* the waitlists are currently in excess of one year. In practice, most postdocs will use community childcare options: https://jobs.utah.gov/occ/parent/find/careaboutchildcare.html
  • The Child Care Coordinating Office at the U help you find a quality program for your child.
• For more parental resource options (childcare on and off campus, lactation rooms, diaper changing areas), visit the University of Utah’s Women in Health, Medicine, & Science website: https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/workforce-excellence/wihms/wihms-rscs

International Postdocs

• See the “International Postdocs” section of the UPDA’s FAQ page:
  • Lists information on travel, taxes, renting an apartment, driving, bank accounts, and applying for a Social Security Number
• Contact at University office of legal counsel for general questions regarding visas:
  • Katie Carreau: katie.carreau@legal.utah.edu
• International Postdoc Survival Guide by the National Postdoc Association

Veterans

• University of Utah Veterans Support Center: https://veteranscenter.utah.edu
  • From the VSC: “ Staff and faculty are welcome in our Center and can use most resources in here. That includes free printing, computer use, quiet study space, a lounge, free coffee/tea/hot cocoa bar, swag and a zero-gravity massage chair! We are here for all military connected people on campus: active duty, reservists, national guard members, veterans, and dependents/spouses.”
• Utah Veterans Alliance: https://4rutvets.org/veteran-resources/
• Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs: https://veterans.utah.gov

Additional Resources

Recent updates to Postdoc benefits and resources at the 2022 Postdoc town hall. Slides: Postdoc Town Hall 7-20-22

We have compiled the notes for the retirement plan options from our virtual event.

UPDA Retirement Event Notes

We have compiled a document of tips from our Virtual Conference Discussion for the best practices for attending or presenting at virtual conferences

UPDA Virtual Conference Tips

Are you interested in getting some of your research published? Why not consider submitting to the Postdoc Journal.

Information for submitting your manuscripts

Do you need help to write your statements for application? Get help with your application material from the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.

Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence

All work and no play makes a researcher one-dimensional. Why not join our Facebook group and find other like-minded people to socialize, make friends, and discover other avenues to enhance your stay in Utah!

Facebook page for Utah Post-Doctoral Association (UPDA)

If you are looking for a job at the University of Utah, please visit Human Resources website and Marriott Library website.

Click here to learn more about the University of Utah Bioscience community, including opportunities for outreach.