Coming to UGA

Why UGA?

UGA continues to rank among the top 100 public and private research universities for federal research and development expenditures, and is consistently rated among the top college towns for quality of life. Athens’ cosmopolitan populace and varied cultural and recreational opportunities, combined with southern hospitality and small-town convenience, makes it a desirable place to live and work.

UGA Points of Pride

People

World renowned researchers
Support for postdoc researchers
Enjoyable and friendly research community

Research

Cutting-edge research
Research that has real world and important applications
Great research resources (core facilities, libraries, technology, supply support)
World-renowned research centers

Expand Your Horizons

Wide range of research
Large number of interdisciplinary collaborations
Large number of collaborations with other Universities in Georgia and beyond

Getting Settled at UGA

Once you have accepted a position as a postdoctoral research scholar, there are a number of steps you can take to make your arrival at UGA easier. The checklist below will ease your transition.

Send confirmation of PhD completion to your faculty supervisor. If formal degree/transcripts are not yet available, the Office of Postdoc Affairs accepts a signed letter from your PhD mentor or institution’s Grad School that all requirements have been satisfied.
New employees are encouraged to complete new employee forms, required training and investigate benefit options prior to arrival.
Email the office manager listed in your offer letter with any administrative questions.
Become familiar with the town and campus you are coming to:
- Athens offers a wide array of community services, resources, arts and culture. Read a comprehensive Athens-Clarke County Guide to community information, resources and services, arts and culture.
- View the map below to locate supermarkets, natural foods and specialty markets, farmers markets, local banks, hospitals, libraries, driver services, major stores, cinemas, and local parks and recreational areas. View Athens, Georgia.
- Getting around Athens
- Tifton, known as the “Friendly City”, is a community located in South Georgia that truly exemplifies southern hospitality. Read more.
- View the map below to locate supermarkets, local banks, hospital, libraries, driver services, major stores, cinemas, and local parks and recreational areas. View Tifton, Georgia.
Set up Bank Account
- Banking in Athens
- Writing Checks
Find Housing
- Find Housing in Athens – Apartment Finder
- Find Housing in Athens – Apartment Guide
Find Childcare
- UGA-affiliated child care
Find Schools
- Clarke County Schools
- Oconee County Schools
Get Driver’s License
Check in with your faculty sponsor and office manager to complete any other needed items and paperwork. Your department will need to request your UGA MyID. The UGA MyID is the sign-on name that students, faculty, and staff use to access a wide range of online services at UGA. Each MyID has a password associated with it that needs to be supplied when accessing these services.

Additional Information for International Postdocs

International Student Life at UGA
Check out the Relocation Resources for International Scholars section under the Resources tab.
International postdocs (those coming to UGA on a non-immigrant or temporary work visa) are required to check in with the International Student Scholar and Immigration Services Office on campus upon arrival on campus. You can access the Immigration Services website for further information regarding visa requirements, arrival information, U.S. driver’s license and U.S. Social Security applications.
See Survival Guide for International Postdocs from the National Postdocs Association for practical information drawn from experiences of current and former postdocs who have traveled to the U.S. to do their postdoctoral training.

Severe Weather and Emergency Preparedness

Tornadoes are rare in Athens and Tifton but can occur.

For information on severe weather and UGA alerts, please see the UGA Office of Security & Emergency Preparedness website.
Weather Underground educational resources (including severe weather).

Common Mistakes Not to Make

Don’t forget to sign up for benefits before the deadline. If you don’t understand how to enroll in benefits, contact Employee Benefits at 706-542-2222 to schedule an appointment with a benefits counselor. Click here for info regarding benefits overview sessions.
Understand the plans. Before you sign up for benefits, read about and carefully compare the different health plans available to you. Premium rates, covered services, copayments, pharmacy coverage, how you pay for coverage, physicians you can use, out-of-state coverage and requirements for referrals (direct access to specialists) – all differ among the plans. The information is complex; study it carefully.
Avoid medical crises. No matter which plan you select, you first need to establish your primary care physician – the physician who will coordinate your care and see you for most conditions. Transfer your medical records to that office, especially if you have chronic conditions. Each plan will provide a list of primary care physicians from which you can select.
Avoid sticker shock. Before you make any big purchases like a home/car, find out what will be taken out of your paycheck each month now that you are no longer a student.
Don’t assume. Make sure you understand if and how your employer can assist you during the moving process. Don’t assume you will be provided assistance with housing, transportation, moving costs – until you have actually asked.
International Postdocs need to contact Immigration Services in the Office of Global Engagement before and after arrival. Get to know the people there and ask questions about what you need to do (and more importantly, by when) in order for things to go smoothly.