Getting Started as a New Postdoc
Congratulations! You will be joining Baylor College of Medicine, where nearly 600 postdoctoral associates and fellows are conducting innovative research in the largest medical center in the world.
The City of Houston is the 4th largest city in the United States. Houston is home to over 2.3 million people; it is a large city with a small town feel. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2023), the median household income is $62,894 and one of the lowest costs of living in the nation. There are a variety of industries such as health care, energy, transportation, financial, space, and higher education. Moreover, Houston is a city with much to offer in terms of restaurants and bars, sports teams, entertainment venues, parks, and museums. Visit our Life in Houston website to discover all the city has to offer.
Prior to Arrival
Housing: Learn Houston and determine where you will be living. Houston has many different communities to meet your family, commuting and personal needs. Baylor College of Medicine is located in the Texas Medical Center and there are many housing options available within walking distance. See listing of Houston neighborhoods and resources to help you find the best location for you.
Your Department: Work with your department administrators (Baylor login required) to complete all the required employment documents for Baylor and the International Services Office (Baylor login required). Paperwork should be completed in a timely manner to prevent delays in your postdoctoral appointment.
Upon Arrival
Baylor Orientation: Orientation is held every Monday. Learn about benefits and services available to you as a postdoctoral trainee. Visit the Human Resource’s new employee website (Baylor login required) for important information to help you get started.
Postdoc Orientation: Contact the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to schedule your orientation. New to Baylor Postdoctoral Orientation is held every third Tuesday of the month.” Learn about services available through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Parking and Transportation: Parking and transportation in the Texas Medical Center can be challenging, however Baylor College of Medicine offers subsidies for those using offsite parking and the Houston METRO system. Learn more (Baylor login required).
Individual Development Plan: Complete the MyIDP Self-Assessment Tool. The IDP is a communication tool between the faculty mentor and postdoc. The IDP will support the postdoc, through a self-reflective process, in developing long-term goals, identifying career specific skills, and implementing a course of action to achieve the desired goals of the lab. Learn more about the IDP process (link to Individual development plan page of this site) at Baylor.
International Services Office: Meet with ISO (Baylor login required) to address any questions and concerns you may have while working in the United States. Contact the International Services Office for assistance at (713) 798-4604 or internationalservicesteam@bcm.edu.
The Postdoctoral Association works to build a sense of community among our postdoctoral community. Visit the PDA website.
From your first day as a postdoc at Baylor, we encourage you to think about and plan for your future. Visit the Career Development Center’s website to learn about resources and events designed to support your career planning.
Advanced Technology Cores
Core facilities provide state-of-the-art instrumentation and technologies to support research of all faculty and trainees. Visit the ATC website.