New postdoc

About the project

Starting a new position, sometimes in a new city or country can be very unsettling. On this page, you will find some resources and support to help you settle in to your new role as Research Staff at Queen's University Belfast, including a New Postdoc Welcome Booklet and information about our New Postdoc Induction sessions.

Please note, that in addition to the central support and resources offered via the PDC, many Schools and Research Centres will also have their own induction processes covering local practices. Some may also offer informal postdoc welcoming or "buddy" schemes in which new postdocs get to meet current postdocs for a chat (contact your local representatives to find out what is available to you).

Do not hesitate to contact the PDC with any questions you may have; if we don't know the answer, we'll find out or direct you to someone who can help you!

Other helpful contacts:

Practical information to move and settle into your new research position

This booklet has been developed to provide practical information to postdocs and research staff on how to settle in at Queen's, including human resources procedures, ways to get your staff card, email, access to facilities or get your working station up and running. Most importantly, this booklet also highlights the range of personal and career development resources and support available to postdocs via the PDC and other university departments, to make their time at Queen's a success!

Find out about expectations and opportunities to start off your research journey on the right foot!

The PDC provides regular induction sessions for postdocs and research staff, designed to help you understand your environment, your role, showcasing the most relevant programmes and resources available to you as well, as how to approach your career development.

The PDC is present at the virtual and on-campus all staff welcome events organised by People & Culture, so come visit our stall and ask us your questions; we'd be delighted to meet you!

The events feature many areas providing support and information in the University, including HR, the international staff network (iRise), Queen's Sports, IT, staff wellbeing, pensions, the LGBT+ staff network (PRISM) etc.

All Staff Welcome Events

• Your HR Business Partner (the person who sent your appointment letter) for everything related to your employment conditions, contract, visas etc. ( see list of HR Business Partners on the People and Culture Intranet )
• You line manager (academic who will supervise you, often called "PI" for Principal Investigator) for questions related to your research, role and settling in information (their name will be listed on your job offer letter). They may at times direct you to your School Manager and clerical staff, who often organise access to facilities etc.
• Your local Postdoc Representatives (see list of PDC representatives) for questions about life in your new research environment and the support available locally to research staff in your School or Centre.

Links of interest to move and settle in

• QUB staff links All staff welcome event Queen's OnLine (QOL) QUB email Staff gateaway People and Culture (Human Resources) Learning and Development Occupational Health QUB Leadership and structure QUB Faculties and Schools International staff Information services IT service desk Staff wellbeing PRISM: LGBT+ staff network
• External links UK guide to working, living and moving to the UK Visas Accomodation: Propertypal , Propertynews , QUB staff accomodation National Insurance Number GP finder tool Translink (trains and buses) USS pension

Research areas