Resources
Starting your Postdoc is exciting but can also be a little overwhelming! Below we provide some information and resources that will hopefully ease your transition to WHOI and the Cape Cod area. If you don't see something you think should be on here, don't hesitate to contact the PDA!
The WHOI page of Postdoc resources is a great place to find out lots of relevant info on being a postdoc at WHOI. With information on subjects such as:
- Salaries and Stipends
- Benefits
- Childcare Subsidies
- and much much more...
Getting around WHOI
WHOI runs a shuttle to help people easily get between the Quissett campus and the village. Please find the fall to spring schedule, summer schedule, and route map for the WHOI shuttle in the hyperlinks.
Additionally, as WHOI is a split campus, it can sometimes be difficult to find buildings. Here are maps of the Quissett campus and Village campus.
Public Transportation in Falmouth/Woods Hole
The primary public transportation option in the area is the CCRTA - Sealine, which is a bus running between Hyannis and Woods Hole approximately hourly. The schedule andlive bus location can be found on their website.
You can also order an on-demand bus ride using the Cape Cod RTA Smart Dart app. It will pick you up and drop you off wherever you need, however it no longer services Woods Hole. Wait times are also variable (could be 5 minutes or 50 minutes for example depending on traffic/location). More information can be found on the SmartDART website.
Additional recommendations and details on the bus system can be found in this document.
Personal transportation
It is possible to bike to WHOI using the Shining Sea Bikeway which runs from North Falmouth to Woods Hole. Biking is popular from late spring to early fall when the weather is nice, but can be done year-round. If you plan to commute primarily by bike, it is recommended to live on or very close to the Shining Sea Bikeway as most roads have no shoulder or a very narrow shoulder requiring you to ride in the lane/very close to cars. Helmets, reflectors/lights, and bells are recommended.
Many people at WHOI drive to work as well and a car is VERY useful for getting around the area and the Cape in general. More information, including registering your car for a parking pass, should be provided during your onboarding. Please talk to HR or your department admin for additional help.
Long term Housing
- Looking for housing? The WHOI Community Housing List is a great place to start. Browse available housing options in the Woods Hole Community. If you have a signed offer letter and need access, please reach out to the Housing Coordinator.
- There are also several WHOI maintained housing options, see the WHOI housing website for details.
- Ask your advisor and department for advice or potential housing.
- Your postdoc peers are a great resource, reach out to the all-postdocs@whoi.edu listserv for advice on places to live and potential availability. (Click here to sign up for the all-postdocs listserv if you aren't already)
- Craigslist, Zillow, Apartments.com, and Facebook Marketplace are also useful resources.
Short-term housing
Short-term housing can sometimes be difficult to find in the WHOI area. While not ideal, we suggest you check the WHOI Community Housing List, contact the Housing Coordinator (off-season only; after labor day to mid-June), and reach out to your advisor/department for additional options to find housing or defray costs.
Here is a pdf of resources about applying for, selecting, and using your health care in Massachusetts
A few key resources:
- Explanations of healthcare terminology - for Postdocs, by Postdocs!
- The Massachusetts Health Connector - state-run marketplace to apply for and selecting health coverage
- Taxes are hard! We have compiled a document of general information and links to help you on your way!
- Are you a Postdoc scholar? Here is a Tax Cheat Sheet with some helpful advice on paying and filing taxes!
- This website and this presentation are available from the IRS to help you document your scholarships, fellowships, and/or grants.
For assistance with visa issues international members may contact WHOI's Human Resources Office or International Committee.
Here is a document with some guidelines for advisor-postdoc expectations and mentoring: Guidelines memo
There are many opportunities to find peer and professional mentors at WHOI, in addition to your Postdoctoral Sponsor/Advisor.
The PDA organizes a postdoc peer mentoring program matching new and incoming postdocs with folks who are already at WHOI. For more information or to request a mentor match, contact the PDA.
There is also an institution-wide Mentoring Program. Mentoring topics can include:
- understanding and navigating the promotion/tenure process at WHOI
- enhancing skills and abilities
- enhancing project management skills (financial management, personnel/resource management, time management )
- improving research project development and fundraising skills (proposal preparation, collegial networking, relationship building with program managers.)
- developing better communications skills (writing, verbal, presentations)
- developing or improving job search skills (for positions within and outside WHOI)
- making sound decisions about continuing education.
- Other endless possibilities....
WHOI is dedicated to fostering a culture based on strong values of respect, responsibility and integrity. The Institution provides several ways to report any actions or conditions that run counter to those values, and anonymous reporting options are available.
For links to the WHOI ethicspoint hotline (anonymous reporting option), see this webpage.
WHOI's anti-harassment policy is here.
We wish you well on your next adventure! Be aware that WHOI has updated its policies regarding retention/phasing out of your WHOI email now that the campus has made the switch to M365. Email accounts for postdocs will remain active for 180 days after your termination date, and your account and emails will be deleted 1 year after your termination date.