Postdoctoral scholars and fellows (job codes FP01 and FP02) are eligible for a number of benefits and services. Questions regarding how to access to your university benefits should be directed to the service providers below. A summary of benefits available to FP01 and FP02 postdocs can be found here. 

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of services available to postdocs. If you know of a campus service that should be listed here, please contact (postdoc-office@uiowa.edu).

Mental health and counseling services

The university has a number of mental health services available to postdocs. For the most up-to-date information, visit this page. 

Employee Assistance Program 

Provides integrated services to postdocs and family members to promote emotional well-being and to increase engagement and productivity among members of the UI community. All postdocs are eligible for EAP services such as confidential, short-term counseling, as well as referral to community resources. Neither FP01 or FP02 Postdocs are eligible for the liveWELL program.

RVAP

RVAP provides free, confidential, trauma-informed advocacy to people affected by sexual violence and promotes social change through prevention education.  All Postdocs are eligible for all services provided by RVAP, including peer-based counseling, advocacy in medical and legal settings, support groups, resource and referral support and advocacy, and academic advocacy. 

University Counseling Service 

Postdocs (FP01/FP02) are eligible for free individual counseling, couples counseling, group counseling, outreach programming, support groups, and consultation services. 

To view more options, visit mentalhealth.uiowa.edu. 

Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC)

WRAC services and programs (detailed on our website) are available to UI students, employees, faculty, post-docs, and members of the community. We welcome people of all genders and identities.

Campus services, assistance, and wellness

Basic Needs and Support 

This website provides listings of a variety of campus and community resources around basic needs, including food insecurity, child care, health and wellness, and mental health, to name a few.

Family Services 

Provides information and resources for childcare, new parent resources, elder caregiving, veteran/military families, and flexible work arrangements

Food Pantry at Iowa

The Food Pantry at Iowa provides free nutritious food and basic necessities for University of Iowa students, graduate and professional students, postdocs, staff, and faculty. More information regarding hours, locations, and frequently asked questions can be found on the site linked above.

Iowa Memorial Union 

As with UI faculty, staff, and students, postdocs are welcome to use the IMU for informal meet-ups or more formal gatherings. Our free meeting room space is available for reservations if meeting rooms are needed. Postdocs are always welcome to stop by the Hawk Shop Café & Market, Old Gold Creamery, Union Station, or the River Room for a quick snack or nutritious meal. 

Leadership and Engagement  

Leadership and Engagement is housed within the Office of the Dean of Students at the University of Iowa. Our programs help postdocs further develop leadership skills, offer incredible experiential service-learning, and provide civic engagement opportunities both on and off-campus. Leadership and Engagement is comprised of three main focus areas: Student Engagement and Campus Programs, Leadership, Service, and Civic Engagement, and Fraternity and Sorority Life. 

Off-Campus Housing Services

If you’re living off-campus, there are several resources available to assist you. Whether you are needing support understanding your lease or finding a place to live, the Off-Campus Housing website is a great place to start.  Here, you can find apartments, houses, condos, and rooms for rent in Iowa City and the surrounding areas. This site also provides helpful information and resources for living off campus and the tools needed to be a responsible renter. 

Office of the Ombudsperson

A resource for any member of the university community with a problem or concern. They provide informal conflict resolution, mediation services, and advocacy for fair treatment and fair process. To address any challenges you may face, please review this flow chart of procedures and resources for postdoctoral scholars and fellows.

Student Care and Assistance

Student Care & Assistance provides support to all students and postdocs enrolled at the University of Iowa. Students experiencing crisis, emergency situations, off-campus concerns, and general barriers to success are encouraged to connect with the office to navigate care and explore resources.

Student Health

Postdocs are eligible to receive services from Student Health. Student Health provides care to registered UI undergraduate students, graduate students, professional students, and postdocs. Student Health is staffed with medical doctors and physician assistants who are board-certified in family medicine, gynecology, and psychiatry.

Student Wellness

Postdocs are eligible to receive services from Student Wellness. Student Wellness offers wellness consultations, group workshops, events and other programming for students on nutrition, fitness, stress management, alcohol and drugs, tobacco/e-cigarettes, sexual health, and sleep. 

Transportation & Parking 

Postdocs (FP01/FP02) are eligible for staff parking privileges in Hancher, Finkbine, and Hawkeye Commuter lots, as well as a discounted bus pass for Iowa City and Coralville Transit. To purchase parking and/or bus passes, contact the Parking and Transportation office, located at 840 Evashevski Drive, 319-335-3824. The UI Cambus provides free bus service to the UI campus.

University Dining 

All university community members, including postdocs, are eligible to eat in our dining Market Places, located in Catlett, Burge, or Hillcrest Halls.  The current walk-in price is $8 for breakfast and $12 for lunch or dinner.  They are also eligible to purchase a meal plan.  A Herky Booster Pack provides 25 meals that can be used throughout the academic year for $275. Other meal plans are available; visit https://dining.uiowa.edu/purchase-meal-plan  for more information. University Housing and Dining also has a number of retail outlets and convenience stores for postdocs to use. Visit https://dining.uiowa.edu/locations for locations.  All dining centers are cashless, but customers can use credit cards or charge their university bill. 

University Recreational Services Membership 

Postdocs (FP01/FP02) are eligible for discounted memberships through the Recreation Membership Incentive Program even though they cannot complete the Personal Health Assessment. To purchase a membership, reach out to rec-services@uiowa.edu. Questions can also be directed to rec-services@uiowa.edu.  .

Income Tax Resources

The Tippie College of Business and International Student and Scholar Services provide income tax resources for postdocs (FP01/FP02). 

Staff Language and Culture Services

Provides language instruction, cultural training, and communications support. International Student and Scholar Services offers programming and resources for international scholars. The University offers English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, as well as a variety of more informal English language learning opportunities such as Campus Conversation Partners and Communication Skills for Professionals. 

Course Audit

Postdocs at the University of Iowa (FP01/FP02) are eligible to audit one University of Iowa course per semester without being assessed tuition and mandatory fees for that course. To qualify for this benefit, the postdoc's supervisor must verify that auditing the course will contribute to his or her professional development in their current position. In addition, the postdoc must apply as a non-degree student https://grad.admissions.uiowa.edu/apply/applying-nondegree-graduate-student. After apply as a non-degree seeking student, postdocs should fill out this application to audit form: https://workflow.uiowa.edu/entry/new/16379

University of Iowa Writing Center 

Provides free, one-on-one consultations on any kind of writing project to any member of the University of Iowa community. This includes support with manuscripts, emails, personal statements, cover letters, scholarship and job application materials, and creative writing. They are located in room 110 of the English Philosophy Building and offer video conference appointments and document review in addition to in-person appointments.

Common university benefits topics

Questions or concerns?

For general questions about services and your postdoctoral experience at Iowa, please contact Postdoctoral Affairs in the Graduate College (postdoc-office@uiowa.edu).