FAQs for New Parent Postdocs

Postdoctoral fellows' fellowships may specify time off and other leave provisions, but many others do not. Postdoctoral fellows who anticipate taking Maternity Leave and/or Parental Leave should consult their DLCI's key administrative contact for postdocs as soon as possible so that they can help you confirm your fellowship’s leave provisions.

Your key administrative contact will then work with the Office of the Vice President for Research (who will coordinate with the Research Administration Services) to review the terms of your fellowship and determine what, if any, sponsor notification is necessary. Your key contact will also provide details on reporting postdoctoral fellow leave at MIT. 

• Postdoctoral fellows with partial postdoctoral associate appointments should follow the same process to determine their eligibility. The partial postdoctoral associate appointment does not affect your leave but does impact how you report your time away.
• Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award fellows are eligible for parental leave and a child care benefit, according to NIH guidelines for NRSA fellows.

Postdoctoral associates are salaried by MIT, and therefore are considered benefits-eligible employees with a postdoctoral associate appointment of 50% or more.

Postdoctoral fellows must submit any documentation required by their fellowship to the sponsor. They must also follow the steps outlined in the Postdoctoral Fellow Checklist for Maternity (Childbirth) Leave and/or Parental Leave [Touchstone required]. As specified, you will need to submit particular documents to your key administrative contact for postdocs:

• Postdoctoral Fellow Pregnancy and Childbirth Form [PDF] [Touchstone required]
• Postdoctoral Fellow Parental Leave Request Form [PDF] [Touchstone required]
• Documents showing the birth or placement of the child
• Postdoctoral Fellow Parental Leave Tracking Form [XLSX] [Touchstone required]

Inquire about MIT’s paid parental leave or any other leave policies with the key administrative contact for postdocs in your area. The key contact can review your plan with you and help facilitate the process. Review HR's Overview of Employee Leaves, Employee Leave FAQs and Action Steps for New Parents to learn more about specific benefits. 

Any leave, whether MIT’s paid parental leave, maternity leave, or vacation time, must be discussed with your supervisor and approved prior to taking leave. 

If you are on the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan, follow their instructions to make changes to your health plan.

If you are on one of MIT’s employee plans, see their information on changing your coverage.