Campus Services, Resources and Tips

Athletics/Exercise

  • MIT Recreation membership provides access to the Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center, the Wang Fitness Center and Alumni Pool, playing fields, sailing and more. Note: MIT Postdoctoral Fellows who have an "Affiliate" ID card require a certification letter with their MIT ID to qualify. 
  • Exercise and Fitness programs, including classes in yoga and Pilates, are available from MIT Health.
  • Intramural sports are available for postdocs with MIT Recreation memberships.
  • The Postdoctoral Association has a Sports Committee and runs or advertises activities such as running, soccer, volleyball, and yoga.

Programs for Postdocs and Families

MIT has numerous resources for MIT community members, including spouses, partners, and families:

  • MIT Work-Life provides consultations, support and information for members of the MIT community and their families in areas that include life quality, work-life balance issues, parenting, school, and child-care.
  • MIT MyLife Services provides confidential counseling, work-life consultations, and referrals to the MIT community and family members. 
  • MIT Spouses & Partners Connect: Postdocs’ significant others can join this network to meet people, share experiences, discover work and career opportunities, improve English, and get information about living and parenting in Boston. 
  • Language Conversation Exchange: Speak a language you're learning or wish to improve (including English) with a native speaker, and share your culture and interests while learning about someone else's.
  • Community Wellness at MIT provides classes, programs, and resources related to health, well-being, and family life.

Disability and Accessibility Resources

Culture and Identity Resources

  • Recognized Postdoc Groups, supported by the Postdoctoral Association, provide more targeted support for postdocs.
  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are open to all postdocs. They are employee-led groups formed around common interests, issues, and/or a common bond or background. Current ERGs:
    • African, Black, American, Caribbean (ABAC)
    • Asian Pacific American (APA)
    • Disabilities
    • Latino
    • Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Queer LBGTQ+
    • Millennials
    • Women in Technology WIT
  • The International Scholars Office: Guidance for international scholars on daily life in the United States.
  • LBGTQ+ Services: Support, programming, and educational endeavors to enhance the experiences of MIT's LBGTQ+ community. Also, the postdoc specific qtPhDs @ MIT group runs regular events; contact qtphds-admin@mit.edu to join their mailing list. 
  • Institute Community & Equity Office (ICEO): The ICEO supports diversity, equity, and inclusion at MIT through programs and initiatives. 
  • MIT Chaplains representing many of the world's religions, are available for counseling, private talks, and program development. Also, many of the religious groups represented by the chaplains meet weekly and many student religious groups are active on campus.

Campus Activities

  • MITAC (MIT Activities Committee) plans special MIT events and offers discounted tickets for cultural, recreational, and sporting events, and for movies and museums.
  • Independent Activities Period (IAP) is a special four-week term at MIT throughout January. Activities include lecture series, forums, tours, “how to” sessions, and recitals. Non-credit activities are open to all members of the MIT community. 

Maker Spaces and Services

Professional Development and Education

Other Campus Services

Updated June 28, 2024