Orientation Handbook and Resource Guide

Our Mission

The mission of the EPA is to advance the AECOM research enterprise by maximizing the effectiveness of the research community and enhancing the quality of the postdoctoral experience.

What the association can do for you:

The association has a number of goals that we hope will enrich and enhance the scientific careers and social life of all postdocs. These include:

• Encouraging scientific interaction within the AECOM postdoctoral community. Promoting career development by offering information about career choices both in research and non-research areas (including seminars on grant writing, lab management, alternative careers; contacts/career fair for jobs in industry).
• Representing the interests of postdocs, in both formal and informal settings, to the faculty and administration of AECOM (issues of interest include salary, housing, visa/immigration issues, day care and other facilities).
• Organizing regular social events for postdocs and their families.

What can you do for yourself and the association? There are many services a postdoctoral association can provide, but ultimately it is up to the postdocs at AECOM to make things happen! Please contact the EPA with any opinion or concern regarding postdoc life on campus.

How is the EPA organized?

Each AECOM department is eligible to announce or elect one to two EPA representatives as necessary.

The current EPA representatives are: Anatomy & Structural Biology: Jeff Chao, jchao@aecom.yu.edu , Golding 601

Biochemistry: Patrick Frantom, paflsu@yahoo.com , Forchheimer 315, Joerg Schlatterer, jschlatt@aecom.yu.edu , Forchheimer 311

Cell Biology: Laura Norwood Toro, lnorwood@aecom.yu.edu , Chanin 402, Kerri McIntosh, kmcintos@aecom.yu.edu , Chanin 412

Developmental & Molecular Biology: Christian Riebeling, criebeli@aecom.yu.edu , Chanin 504

Microbiology & Immunology: Erin McClelland, mcclella@aecom.yu.edu , Forchheimer 411, Scott Garforth, garforth@aecom.yu.edu , Golding 401

Medicine/Nephrology: Ana Maria Garcia, agarcia@aecom.yu.edu

Molecular Genetics: Anna Bergsmedh, abergsmedh@aecom.yu.edu , U.1217

Neurology: James Heida, jheida@aecom.yu.edu

Neuroscience: Ellen Yang, eyang@aecom.yu.edu , Kennedy 426

Pathology: Radhashree Maitra, rmaitra@aecom.yu.edu Forchheimer 538

Physiology & Biophysics: Moez Bali, mbali@aecom.yu.edu , U 213A, Michaela Jansen, mjansen@aecom.yu.edu , U213A

EPA Web Page

http://einsteinpostdocs.info Here you find EVERYTHING you have to know as a postdoc at AECOM (events, links discussion forum …).

EPA Mailing List

Mary Anne Clifford, Administrator

Room 915, Belfer Building Albert Einstein College of Medicine 1300 Morris Park Avenue Bronx, New York, USA, 10461 Phone: (718) 430-3191 FAX: (718) 430-3198 E-mail: belfer@aecom.yu.edu

The office serves as a resource for current and prospective postdocs, faculty investigators, and administrators for any and all issues related to postdocs. Specific responsibilities include:

• organizing all the activities sponsored by the Belfer Institute

• implementation of the postdoc housing plan, including coordination of housing eligibility, the housing waiting list, and notification of the availability of community housing
• arranging e-mail accounts for newly-arrived postdocs
• monitoring postdoctoral salaries and anniversary increments
• notification of job opportunities

The current director of the Belfer Institute is Allan W. Wolkoff, M.D. (Professor of Medicine, and Anatomy & Structural Biology), e-mail: wolkoff@aecom.yu.edu

http://newyork.craigslist.org/

AECOM Housing

Mary Anne, the Administrator of the Belfer institute, can give you information about the current availability of postdoc apartments prior to your arrival. There are three possibilities: 1) 1579 Rhinelander (map: 15), 2) 2100 Eastchester Rd (map: 26), and 3) Williamsbridge Rd (map 27). The apartments are NOT furnished. For pictures visit: http://einsteinpostdocs.info/Site%202/housing.html

Mary Anne Clifford, Administrator Room 915, Belfer Building (map: 7) Albert Einstein College of Medicine 1300 Morris Park Avenue Bronx, New York, USA, 10461 Phone: (718) 430-3191, FAX: (718) 430-3198,

belfer@aecom.yu.edu

For detailed information about eligibility, length of occupancy etc., refer to:

http://www.aecom.yu.edu/home/belfer_institute/housing.htm

Housing Office:

The Housing Office is located in the lobby floor of 1935 Eastchester Road (“triple towers”/student housing/map: 13). Joseph Zagreda is the Housing Manager and is located at 1935 Eastchester Road #1A, Bronx, New York 10461, 718-430-3552, jzagreda@aecom.yu.edu

Repairs:

If you live in 1579 Rhinelander Avenue and something has to be repaired you should go to the security booth located at the lobby and fill out a Repair Request. For problems at Eastchester Road apartments or Williamsbridge Road apartments, please go directly to the Housing Office to fill out a Repair Request. The Housing Office is open from 8:00AM to 5:00 PM. For problems after this time, please go directly to the Superintendent of the building.

Exterminating:

All postdoctoral residents must provide access to the exterminating company for monthly treatment. Please check with the Housing Office for the extermination schedule for your building.

Amenities:

All postdoctoral buildings are equipped with a laundry room located in the basement. They include washers and dryers. Please note: washing machines of any kind are strictly prohibited inside postdoc apartments.

Parking:

Indoor parking is available for those who live at 1579 Rhinelander Avenue.

If you have any questions about your apartment or building it is most effective to speak to the Housing Office.

If you have suggestions how to improve the housing quality send an e-mail to any representative of the Einstein Postdoctoral Association.

Information for Foreign Scholars

All questions regarding your visa and the social security number should be addressed to Alexia Pakiela, the Manager of the “International Students and Scholars Office”.

International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) Alexia Pakiela, Manager Belfer Building, Room 1201, Bronx, New York, 10461 Tel: (718) 430-2850, Fax: (718) 430-8770, pakiela@aecom.yu.edu

http://www.aecom.yu.edu/home/isso/

The office hours are from 9 am to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. It is recommended that an appointment be scheduled to discuss any concerns or questions.

Visa: The ISSO will work with you in applying for a new visa or changing visa status.

Social Security Number: In the United States , a Social Security number (SSN) is a 9-digit number issued to citizens, permanent residents , and temporary (working) residents. The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration , an agency of the federal

govern ment . Its primary purpose is to track individuals for taxation purposes. In recent years the SSN has become a de facto national identification number . The ISSO will provide a handout indicating where and when you can apply for the SSN. For detailed information, please, visit:

www.socialsecurity.gov

Where can I apply for the SSN near AECOM? Social Security

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2 Floor 1380 Parker Street Bronx, NY 10462 Toll-Free 1-800-772-1213 Office hours: Mo-Fri: 9.00 AM – 4.00 PM (see map on p.37)

What do I have to submit in order to apply for the SSN? 1) Documents proving: Immigration status and DHS work authorization, Age, and Identity. 2) Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5).

Taxes: As a foreign scholar your home country might have a special tax treaty with the USA. That means you can save money! Information about a potential tax treaty between the USA and your home country can be obtained from

-ISSO (Belfer 1201)

-Payroll office (Belfer, 1106). All visa holders must stop by the Payroll office to fill out their tax information form. (As a national postdoc this visit is not necessary.)

Every February/March the ISSO organizes a tax seminar! There you can get advice on filing your tax forms. You can get additional information from the International Revenue Service website:

http://www.irs.gov

Human Resources

Some spouses might be interested in working at AECOM as well. All available jobs at AECOM are announced at the Human Resources website:

http://www.yu.edu/hr/aecomhr/intro.asp

ID Card

Upon arrival at AECOM you will need to get your ID card. Your departmental administrator will give you a letter providing the necessary information for card set up. The ID card will be issued at the security office which is located at the ground floor of the Forchheimer Building (Forchheimer G-30, Office (718) 430-2180 ). Monday- Thursday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 8:00 AM - 12:00PM

Medical Exam

During your first days at Einstein it is necessary to get a medical exam done (Mazer Building, Room 219; Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm; (718) 430-3141) (map: 8). Your departmental administrator will give you detailed information upon arrival. Usually you have to revisit the nurse at least once.

Laboratory Safety

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) provides excellent safety trainings which you will have to attend according to your work in the laboratory.

- Laser Safety Training

- Hazard Communication Training

- Blood-borne Pathogen Training

- Radiation Training During the first weeks/months at AECOM you will be contacted by the EHS office providing the information about the next possible training/quiz.

If you have any questions regarding the safety in your laboratory don’t hesitate to contact the safety officers: Chief Safety Officer Anthony Chibaro, chibbaro@aecom.yu.edu , (718) 430-4150 Laboratory Safety Officer Delia Vieira-Cruz , vieira@aecom.yu.edu, (718) 430-3560

Radiation Safety Officer

Evan Rousseau, eroussea@aecom.yu.edu (718) 430-4152

Visit the EHS website for detailed information http://www.aecom.yu.edu/ehs/ or stop by the

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EHS office (Forchheimer, 8 floor).

If your work requires animal handling you will be required to attend the AECOM animal training (such as “Safe and Humane Rodent Handling”). For further information we would like to refer to Jeannette Camacho (Secretary, Animal Institute Committee, Ullmann 1103 (map: 6), Telephone:

(718) 430-3572).

E-MAIL

Your e-mail account set up will be initiated by Mary Anne Clifford (see section 2).

Paycheck

All national postdocs will find their first paycheck in the departmental office without filing any additional forms. All foreign scholars (VISA) will have to stop by at the Payroll office (Belfer 1106) to submit tax information. After your signature you will find your first paycheck in the departmental office. If you are interested in a transfer of your biweekly salary from AECOM to your bank account talk to the manager at the Payroll office.

Phone, Internet, Cable, Cell phone

Maintaining contact with friends and family will likely be one of your primary concerns when moving to a new city, and in many cases, a new country. Arranging telecommunications can be a difficult and expensive task if you are from outside the US – hopefully this guide can help reduce the frustration involved.

Documentation: This will depend on the service and the carrier. If you are a foreign postdoc with no social security number and no American credit history, plan on having to put down a hefty cash deposit ($150-300) for a cell phone if you sign up for a (typically 2-year) contract. This will probably be refunded via credit on your account after you have been paying your bills regularly for at least 11 months. You may also be asked for a cash deposit if you want to sign up for long distance plans on a land line. A better way to operate may be to buy your own cell phone (instead of getting one free with contract purchase) and pay a carrier to activate it.

Furniture and Housewares

NYC offers a massive array of shopping options, so once you get settled you will have no problem exploring many different stores for housewares. If you need basic furniture items in a timely manner, one of the first things you can do is check notices for items for sale on the bulletin

boards around AECOM and in your department. The information boards in/at AECOM elevators often have postings for postdoc and student moving sales. Announcements of moving sales are also frequently circulated on the EPA e-mail list.

Near campus, Cort Furniture on Eastchester Ave. offers used furniture, and will deliver for a fee. For small items like cheap cleaning supplies, inexpensive cookware and tableware, try Pathmark, or any of the dollar stores near White Plains Road and Lydig Ave, or down Morris Park Ave.

Bay Plaza Shopping Center, accessible by bus (catch BX12 at Eastchester & Pelham Parkway for direct service), has Kmart, JC Penney, and Linens ‘N’ Things (bedding, kitchen and bath supplies, etc.).

Popular Manhattan housewares retailers include Crate and Barrel and Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and there is an IKEA nearby in New Jersey.

Crate and Barrel (www.crateandbarrel.com )

650 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 (212) 308-0011 611 Broadway New York, NY 10012 (212) 780-0004 Store Hours: Mon-Fri: 10 am - 9 pm; Sat: 10 am - 9 pm; Sun: 12 pm - 7 pm IKEA (www.ikea.com) Free Shuttle Buses to IKEA Elizabeth, NJ On Saturdays and Sundays the Free IKEA round trip shuttle bus operates out the Port Authority Terminal (Eighth Ave & 42nd St). Buses depart from Gate #5 on the Lower Concourse. Departures on the half hour between 10:00am - 2:30pm. Return trips are also on a half hour with service available from noon to 6:00pm. Catch the 2 train at East 180th Street all the way to Times Square, and follow the signs to the Port Authority Bus terminal. If you are planning on getting larger items delivered to your home, anticipate delivery charges of $100+ or check the web specials. Elizabeth Center, 1000 IKEA Drive Elizabeth, NJ 07201 phone: 908-289-4488; 1-800-434-IKEA Store Hours Mon-Fri 10am - 9pm; Saturday 9am - 9pm; Sunday 10am - 8pm

The Container Store (www.containerstore.com) 725 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10022 Phone: 212/366-4200 Hours: Mon - Sat: 9am – 9pm; Sun: 10am – 8pm.

Home Depot (www.homedepot.com) 1806 E Gunhill Rd Bronx, NY 10469 (718)862-9800 OR

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Manhattan 59th Street 980 Third Avenue at 59 Street New York, NY 10022 (212)888-1512

Kmart (www.kmart.com ) Bay Plaza Centre 300 Baychester Avenue Bronx, NY 10475 Store: (718) 671-5377

OR Astor Place (770 Broadway) New York, NY 10003 Store: (212) 673-1540 OR 250 West 34th Street New York, NY 10119 Store: (212) 760-1188

Store Hours: Mon-Fri: 8 am - 10 pm; Sat: 8 am - 10 pm; Sun: 8 am - 9 pm

On-line shopping also offers an array of options, often with free or cheap shipping, even of large/furniture items: e.g. amazon.com, overstock.com, ebay.com, lnt.com, newyork.craigslist.org.

Security Escort Service

Security escorts are available after dark for postdoctoral fellows living in AECOM housing at 1579 Rhinelander Avenue, 2100 Eastchester Road, and 1651 Williamsbridge Road, or within the neighborhood boundaries listed below:

What time are Escorts available? Escort service is available from sunset until 11:15 p.m.; postdocs will be escorted on foot or driven to their destination. After 11:15 p.m., a security officer will call Plaza Taxi Service.

Public Transportation

Luckily, NYC has one of the best public transport systems in the world, and it is definitely possible to live here without a car, even in the Bronx. Transit runs 24 hours a day, although you can expect changes in service on evenings and weekends. The best thing to do is to look up the schedules and route maps on the MTA site; these can be downloaded as PDFs.

Banking

Banking can be a tricky issue for foreign postdocs, but at least there are a few banks very close to AECOM. The two closest major banks are Citibank (www.citi.com ) at the corner of Morris Park Avenue and Williamsbridge Road, and Chase bank (www.chase.com ) at the corner of Morris Park Avenue and Eastchester Road.

Local Post Offices

Fairly straightforward services for sending domestic and international mail. Filling out the proper customs forms before stepping up to the window will ensure much better attitude and service from the agents.

1807 Williamsbridge RD Bronx, NY 715 Morris Park AVE 2488 Williamsbridge RD 2100 White Plains RD 2619 Ponton AVE (near Weastchester Sq., incl. PASSPORT FACILITY)

Public Library

A great resource for books and resource material, DVDs, CDs and periodicals. All books can be checked out for three weeks and renewed online. DVDs are available for one week period. Proof of address (e.g. utility statement) and picture ID are required for library card (no fee).

Website: www.nypl.org Local Branches

Morris Park Branch

985 Morris Park Avenue 10462

(718) 931-0636

Van Nest Branch 2147 Barnes Avenue 10462 (718) 829-5864

Westchester Square Branch 2521 Glebe Avenue 10461 (Glebe and St. Peter’s Avenue) (718) 863-0436

Area dining information

The Morris Park area is home to many authentic Italian restaurants, pizza counters and traditional delis. An array of dining options is available around Eastchester Ave, Williamsbridge Road, and Morris Park Ave.

Coals is a very popular destination for AECOM postdocs, especially Friday after work. Enjoy great grilled pizza and gourmet panini sandwiches with cheap microbrews, in a warm atmosphere with friendly staff and great music.

Pine/Pine Too – Landmark Morris Park restaurants. Family friendly atmosphere, authentic Italian-American cuisine in large portions at reasonable prices. No reservations required. Pine: 1913 Bronxdale Ave, Pine Too: 1634 Eastchester Rd

Other popular restaurants in the neighborhood: Enzo’s (Wmsbridge & Neill Ave) – Classic Italian dining Captains (Morris Park Avenue) – popular neighborhood Italian eatery Patricia’s (Morris Park Avenue) – popular pizza kitchen Emilio’s (Morris Park Avenue) – another popular choice for pizza M&R deli (Morris Park Avenue, close to AECOM) – a popular place to buy lunch

For more information, visit: www.ilovethebronx.com/where_to_eat.asp

Obtaining a driver or non-driver ID Department or Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Like the Social Security office, the DMV is a pretty unpleasant place to spend an afternoon, but a necessary one if you wish to obtain state identification. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours there, but to make it easier, avoid going to the DMV on Monday or Friday, or at noon.

Postdoctoral benefits

The following is meant only as a brief summary of postdoc benefits; for complete details consult the office of the Belfer Institute (see p.6) or see the Belfer Institute website ( http://www.aecom.yu.edu/home/belfer_institute ), consult your department office, or see the appropriate agency (e.g. Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield).

Health Insurance

Full-time postdocs (Research Associates) paid by AECOM are covered by Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield for Single coverage (including dental plan and life insurance), at a minimal additional cost (~ $20/month), but be aware that you must sign up for this coverage within 30 days of starting your employment – you will receive a packet in the mail. Take completed forms to:

Vacation Policy (Paid Leave)

According to Belfer, postdocs are eligible for 20 paid vacation days per year (1 2/3 days per month), with no accumulation of vacation days from year to year unless approved by your PI and department Chair. You are also allowed eight federal holiday vacation days (or a day in lieu of those days off) – New Year’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. Vacation time is quite flexible, depending primarily on approval by your PI.

Postdocs get 12 days per year (1 day/month) of sick leave, and you can accumulate up to 36 days.

LEGAL HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR 2008 ENTIRE SCHOOL IS CLOSED New Year's Day - January 1 Martin Luther King Day - January 21 Presidents' Day - February 18 Memorial Day - May 26 Independence Day - July 4 Labor Day - September 1 Thanksgiving Day - November 27 Christmas Day - Tuesday, December 25

Medical or Family Leave (Unpaid Leave)

Medical leave includes leave for illness, injury, or ‘the disability period of pregnancy’. Unpaid medical leave can be taken for up to six months, and can be offset with accumulated sick leave days. The information from Belfer advises to give notice at least 30 days prior to taking leave, when possible.

Postdocs employed for at least a year at AECOM can get up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family reasons – birth or adoption of a child, or for a sick spouse, parent, or child. Again, giving at least 30 days’ notice prior to the period of leave is advised, where possible.

Medical and Family leave may require medical documentation, and health coverage will continue during unpaid leave. It is advisable to discuss taking leave with your PI. Consult official Belfer policies. For additional information, please visit: http://www.aecom.yu.edu/home/belfer_institute/vacation.htm

Daycare

A daycare system at AECOM is currently being discussed. For now we would like to refer to the following day cares in the area:

Tutor time

4022 E tremont Ave. Bronx, NY 10465. (718) 239-5274

Stipend Policy

AECOM has a minimum stipend level for Research Associates based on the NIH/NRSA base minimum stipend. For minimum stipend amount, consult the official Belfer website. PIs can raise this minimum stipend commensurate with experience or other factors, but no postdoc can be hired below the minimum level. If the minimum level is raised during the year, all stipends will be raised at least to the new minimum at the time of postdoc term renewals (see below).

Research Fellows, funded by federal or non-federal fellowships, are governed by different rules from RAs, but still cannot be paid less than the minimum stipend. See the Belfer website for complete details.

According to Belfer, all Research Associates/Research Fellows “must be reviewed with regard to performance at least annually”. In practice, this means that you will get a letter from the Dean each year saying that your term has been extended another year. There is currently no required ‘performance evaluation’ process where you actually sit down and discuss your performance with your PI. However, we encourage all postdocs to initiate performance discussions on a regular basis.

The Quality of Life Committee

In April, 2007 a motion was passed in the Albert Einstein Senate for the formation of a Quality of Life (QOL) committee, appointed by The Committee on Committees. The QOL committee is charged with reviewing issues that are relevant to the quality of life at AECOM, with representatives from the students (MD, PhD and MSTP), postdocs, faculty and administration, working together for improvements. Examples of things that the committee is dealing are: Housing issues, Falk recreation center, Parking, Recycling, Daycare, Healthcare etc.. If you have any concerns affecting your quality of life at AECOM, please do not hesitate to contact one of the postdoc reps to the committee, i.e.

Ananda ( ananda@aecom.yu.edu , Dept. of Physiology & Biophysics) or Aviva ( ajoseph@aecom.yu.edu , Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology)

The AECOM Library The D. Samuel Gottesman Library, http://library.aecom.yu.edu , provides electronic & print information resources and services useful in the preparation of grant proposals, manuscripts, theses, etc . Newspapers, magazines, and journals are also available. If the Library does not have what you are looking for, it can be obtained free of charge, from another academic library via Interlibrary Loan. Requests may be submitted using the electronic form on the Library's website, directly from certain database searches or written paper form.

Services offered include reference assistance in person, by phone, email, or live chat/instant messaging, interlibrary loan, public computers, online printers and photocopiers for use by library patrons. Wireless access is available for use with laptops. Access to electronic library resource