Incoming Postdocs

US Citizens or LPRs:

1. The offer is extended via the Workday tool.
2. If the offer is accepted, the Workday tool will ask the incoming postdoc to complete additional tasks.
3. JPL's Postdoc Office is notified that the offer has been accepted, and the JPL onboarding process is initiated.
   1. Soon after this, the Postdoc Office will send you a link to submit the Postdoc Intake Form (PDIF).
4. The Workday tool will assign the incoming postdoc additional tasks. Additionally, JPL's HR Onboarding Team will contact the incoming postdoc to initiate the background check and drug screening process.
5. The incoming postdoc should receive an email with the Day 1 instructions the week before the start of the postdoc appointment.

1. The offer is extended via the Workday tool.
2. If the offer is accepted, the Workday tool will ask the incoming postdoc to complete additional tasks.
3. JPL's Postdoc Office is notified that the offer has been accepted, and the JPL onboarding process is initiated.
   1. Soon after this, the Postdoc Office will send you a link to submit the Postdoc Intake Form (PDIF).
4. The advisor's business team will contact the incoming postdoc with a request to initiate the JPLID onboarding request.
5. The Workday tool will assign the incoming postdoc additional tasks, which include the Foreign National Intake Form. This form is reviewed by the International Office to assist in the visa recommendation process.
6. JPL's HR Onboarding Team will contact the incoming postdoc to initiate the background check and drug screening process.
7. Once the JPLID onboarding request is fully approved, which can take up to 30 business days. The International Office will then contact the incoming postdoc to initiate the visa process.
8. Once the type of visa has been determined, the International Office will mail the immigration documents.
9. Upon receipt of the immigration documents, the incoming postdoc is responsible for obtaining a visa appointment at their local US embassy or consulate, if the postdoc is outside of the US.
10. The incoming postdoc should receive an email with the Day 1 instructions the week before the start of the postdoc appointment.

Postdoc candidates that reside outside of a 50-mile radius of JPL are eligible for relocation benefits. Relocation is handled by Odyssey Relocation. As part of your postdoc offer, if relocation was offered, one of the two available packages was offered, domestic or international package.
A consultant from Odyssey Relocation should be contacting the incoming postdoc shortly after the offer has been accepted. When determining if you would like to take advantage of the relocation services, please keep in mind the following tips provided by JPL postdocs who have previously used Odyssey Relocation's services:

• Some of the relocation benefits offered within the packages do not provide tax assistance, refer to the Tax Treatment column in the benefits summary document. This means that for those benefits, the postdoc would be responsible for repaying the tax liability associated with the expense. When determining what the tax liability would be, please assume 30-40% of the expense.
• It's possible that the total due for tax liability could be more expensive than if you found your own relocation options and paid these out-of-pocket.
• The tax liability due by the postdoc will be deducted from your monthly gross income once the postdoc appointment begins.
• Temporary Housing: When discussing options with the Odyssey consultant, ask for options. You should be offered the option of choosing between a furnished apartment, a hotel, or an Airbnb. If you select the furnished apartment or hotel, ask for the address and the nightly rate. Before committing, check to see if public transportation is available in the area and how long the commute will take to JPL. If the nightly rate is high, ask for cheaper options.
• Destination Services & Home Finding: Postdocs have reported that this benefit is expensive, and the services provided are not useful. Most of the rental search assistance can be obtained directly by searching for available housing online.

• Once the JPLID request and the Foreign National Intake Form have been completed, the International Office will review your immigration profile and contact you to begin the visa process.
• If you don't already have a Social Security Number (SSN), you will need to apply for one. However, the International Office must record your arrival in the United States in SEVIS before you can apply for an SSN. This will be done during your first week at JPL. You should then wait 5 business days after completing your check-in with your international advisor to ensure that your record of arrival has reached the Social Security Administration database. It normally takes three to six weeks to process an SSN application. Additional information about SSN can be found here.
• Tax Treaties: If you are eligible, a tax treaty between your tax residence country and the United States may provide an exemption from paying U.S. federal taxes and payroll taxes for a limited amount of time. Review the Tax Treaties page on the IRS website to get a sense of whether you will be eligible for a treaty. Note that tax treaty eligibility will vary based on your nonimmigrant classification. Tax treaties do not exempt individuals from state tax obligations.
• Your tax treaty physical presence "clock" starts ticking the day you arrive in the United States. Postdocs with "Renewable Term Appointments" may receive immigration documents for longer than their intended stay in the United States. These longer documents may limit your ability to claim tax treaty benefits. Please let your International Office advisor know if you wish to receive shorter immigration documents in order to be eligible for tax treaty benefits. Additional information about tax treaties can be found here.

1. For NPP postdocs, the offer is extended via the Zintellect tool. For Visiting postdocs, the Postdoc Office will email the offer letter to the postdoc.
2. For NPP postdocs, if the offer is accepted, the Zintellect tool will ask the incoming postdoc to complete additional tasks. For Visiting postdocs, the signed offer letter should be emailed to the Postdoc Office.
3. Soon after this, the Postdoc Office will send you a link to submit the Postdoc Intake Form (PDIF).
4. JPL's Postdoc Office is notified that the offer has been accepted, and the JPL onboarding process is initiated.
5. The advisor's business team will contact the incoming postdoc with a request to initiate the JPLID onboarding request.

• For NPP postdocs, ORAU's immigration team will contact you to initiate the J-1 visa process.
• For JPL Visiting Postdocs, if JPL is providing visa sponsorship, once the JPLID request has been approved, JPL's International Office will contact you to begin the visa process.

Please see some resources below. These resources are not vetted by JPL. We can also help you post on our JPL-internal Slack network under the #rentals channel. If you're interested in this, you can type up an ad with a brief description of what type of accommodation you're looking for (are you seeking an apartment or just a bedroom, do you prefer a private bathroom, are you okay with pets, do you have pets, parking situation), your price range, and contact information. Once you've completed your ad, you may send the materials to the Postdoc Office to post on your behalf.

Rental Resources

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/134410476880
• https://www.places4students.com/Places/School?SchoolID=42JGUtTc5Rc%3D

• https://rentbandb.com
• https://www.fertigandgordon.com/vacancies
• https://www.brookmoreapts.com/contactus
• https://winstarproperties.appfolio.com/listings/listings

• Hotpads: https://hotpads.com
• Dwellsy: https://dwellsy.com
• Apartments: https://www.apartments.com
• Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent
• Westside https://www.westsiderentals.comrentals
• Trulia: www.trulia.com

These external sites are VERY prone to scams. Be wary as you navigate them. There are many more than these, but some common red flags include:

• If an ad asks for your direct contact information instead of in-app communication (email, phone) on the first interaction, it is likely a scam.
• If it looks too good to be true, it's probably too good to be true. A 1br/1br apartment under $1,500 is rare, and a studio under $1,300 is unlikely.
• If the information is generic, doesn't give info about rentership / lease terms, the management or leasers, or why it is being rented, it may be scraped from Airbnb and other home sale sites.
• If ads or sellers suggest a sense of urgency, it may be a scam.
• Do not ever sign a lease before physically seeing the rental.