The University of Michigan Medical School is a very welcoming and inclusive community. We are fortunate to recruit faculty and scholars from all over the world. We invite international postdoctoral fellows to apply for positions on our campus — nearly half of our trainees are from another country.

The Experience

Here are a few key items to note about the international postdoctoral fellow experience at the University of Michigan Medical School:

• When submitting a letter of inquiry to a potential research mentor here, be prepared to automatically have your advisor follow up with a letter of recommendation—this is common and acceptable practice.
• Funding will vary by lab, and any restrictions are usually indicated on the position description. Contact individual labs with specific questions for international applicants.
• International postdoctoral fellows are paid at the NIH Year-0 recommended stipend amount, the same as domestic counterparts.
• The International Center is the University’s central resource for providing a variety of relocation services to assist international fellows, including information on Social Security cards, visa and tax treaty forms, benefits and insurance, workshops and orientation programs.
• With more than 4,000 international scholars on the greater campus, you can connect with people who may be from same country or region as you.
• Depending on visa restrictions, some spouses may not be eligible for employment in the U.S. Volunteering or taking classes are great ways to get involved in the community as well as through social events like those sponsored by UMPDA.

Community Resources

• Washtenaw Literacy offers free services for native and non-native English speakers
• Non-credit courses designed for international postdoctoral fellows are available through the English Language Institute
• United Way of Washtenaw County is a hub for a variety of agencies and volunteer opportunities in the community