How do I submit applications to the UCSF Contracts and Grants Department?
UCSF Contracts & Grants reviews all grant applications submitted by postdocs. You must submit all required copies of your application and the Contracts & Grants Approval Form (with another complete copy of your application) to Contracts & Grants four working days in advance of the deadline. For more information on applying for postdoctoral grants, please contact the Contracts & Grants office at (415) 476-2977 or visit their Web site: http://www.research.ucsf.edu/cg/index.asp
Please review your funding application well in advance of the deadline. If the application requires that the University submit it on your behalf, please ask if your PI can submit it.
How and When do I obtain a US Social Security Number?
Most foreign postdocs are on "Category J-1 Exchange Visitors" visas.
All US citizens are assigned a social security number (SSN). It is required to apply for credit cards, driver's license and bank accounts. All postdocs must obtain a SSN if they are paying income taxes. It takes two weeks to process an application at the social security office once they have received all of the necessary paperwork. To obtain a SSN, you must go to a Social Security Administration Office and present evidence of age, identity, lawful alien status, and work authorization. Acceptable evidence of age, identity and lawful alien status is:
Evidence of employment authorization is determined by DS-2019. A valid DS-2019 form authorizes the holder to work if one of the following categories is listed: trainee, teacher, professor, research scholar or specialist or medical trainee. Exchange visitors with "student" or "international visitor" are presumed not to have work authorization and must also present a sponsor's letter authorizing employment.
Go first to the DMV and take the written exam for driver's license (tell them you will have an SSN for the road test). Then go with your passport and the DMV paperwork to the Social Security Office to obtain an SSN without work authorization.
For more information about U.S. Social Security Numbers, call (800) 772-1213 or go to: http://www.ssa.gov
1. 1098 Valencia St (at 22nd St.)
(415) 556-4043
Hours: 9:00am- 4:30pm Mon-Fri
2. 1569 Sloat Boulevard (at Clearfield)
Suite 300, 2nd Floor of Lakeshore Plaza Shopping Center
1 (800) 772-1213
Hours: 9:00am- 4:30pm Mon-Fri
3. 939 Market Street (between Mason and Taylor)
(415) 744-5760
Hours: 9:00am- 4:30pm Mon-Fri
BE SURE TO GIVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO YOUR DEPARTMENT POSTDOC ADMINISTRATOR AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE IT.
For additional information, contact:
UCSF Services to International Students & Scholars (SISS)
Provides advising and advocacy services to international postdoc scholars regarding visas and other employment issues
SISS
Box 0477, Room S-04
University of California- San Francisco
Phone (415) 476-1773
Fax (415) 476-8119
http://student.ucsf.edu/siss/
How do I claim taxes for stipend income?
All income from postdoctoral appointments is subject to state and federal tax. For "Postdoctoral Scholar-Employees," taxes are withheld from salaries paid through the payroll system. For California residents, US citizens, or Permanent Residents, no taxes are withheld from traineeships or fellowships.
For International Postdocs, federal taxes are withheld unless there is a tax treaty between the US and the Postdoc's country. For Postdocs who are not California residents, but who are US citizens or Permanent Residents, federal taxes are not withheld; however state tax is withheld if the recipient receives more than $9,000 in funds in a calendar year.
For tax withholding, Postdocs are considered California residents if they will reside in California 12 months or more. The University does not report scholarship and fellowship grant payments to the IRS. If Postdocs are unsure of the amount of stipend received in a given year, they may call the Stipend Desk in Accounting, 476-2881 or send a written request to Freddie Robinson. Postdoctoral Fellows and Postdoctoral Paid Directs should consult the IRS or a tax adviser concerning payment of estimated quarterly taxes.
For information about reporting taxes for stipend income for US citizens and permanent residents, go to:
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/index.html
For Nonresident Aliens the website below may be of help to you:
http://www.ucop.edu/ucophome/cao/paycoord/taxation.html
For additional info about forms to set-up stipend payments for training grants and fellowships, please review this document: Forms Required to Set-up Stipend Payments (.doc)
For additional info, contact:
Freddie Mae Robinson
UCSF Office of Student Financial Services
Student Accounts
Box 0812
415-476-2881
415-502-8201 Fax
frobinson@accounting.ucsf.edu
For how long can one be appointed as a postdoc at UCSF?
According to APM 390, Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are temporary with fixed end dates, but are renewable up to a maximum of five years, including time in postdoctoral status at other institutions (typically, the appointment is made for one year at a time, but may be made for up to three years at a time). Exceptions may be granted by the Dean of Graduate Studies (the Chancellor's designee) for a sixth year as a Postdoctoral Scholar. After the five or six-year period, and if the postdoc needs to complete work at UCSF, s/he must be hired into appropriate academic or staff research titles in accordance with campus policies. It is also important to note that, in accordance with APM 390, reappointment at the end of the appointment period is at the sole discretion of the PI.
Procedure for extending the postdoc
If a PI wishes to extend a postdoc through a sixth year, he or she should write a letter to Dr. Pat Calarco, Graduate Dean, requesting the extension and explaining briefly the reason for the extension. The Dean will approve (or disapprove) the extension and will inform the PI and postdoc of her decision, also through a formal letter. A record of sixth-year approvals is kept in the Graduate Division. (Around 20 postdoc extensions are granted each year.)
What health, dental, vision and other benefits are offered to UCSF postdocs?
The UC Postdoctoral Scholars Benefits Plan is comprised of the following plans, some of which offer you the choice between an HMO or PPO model:
For more information go to:
http://www.ucsfhr.ucsf.edu/index.php/postdoc/
http://www.garnett-powers.com/postdoc/ucsf/index.htm
Or contact:
Tony Wagner
Insurance Coordinator
UCSF Human Resources Office
415-476-8093
anthony.wagner@ucsf.edu