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University of Waterloo postdocs have access to a wide range of campus resources and services, including those intended to help develop professional, research and academic skills.
Athletics, recreation, and wellness
Stay well and active during your postdoc! Warrior recreation provides memberships to postdocs for $100.48+hst per term. With this membership, you can access:
- PAC & CIF facilities, including fitness centres, gyms, the Field House, squash courts, swimming pool, skating rink, and more.
You will also be able to register for:
- Intramurals
- Rock climbing
- Group fitness classes
- Instructional programs (swimming lessons, first aid, personal training, martial arts, dance, skating lessons, squash lessons, etc.)
- Golf simulator
A wide variety of programming offers many opportunities to play. All interests, levels, and abilities welcome!
For those with families, Warrior recreation also offers camps and programming for children.
Bus pass
Sustainable Transportation has made available the Grand River Transit bus pass for University of Waterloo employees as part of the TravelWise program. This option allows you to purchase a monthly transit pass at a 15% discount after filling out a corporate pass request form. Contact Parking Services or Grand River Transit for more information.
Conflict management and human rights
The Conflict Management Office acts as a resource to all members of the University community, including postdocs. They offer confidential consultations, support, and resources related to conflict management and human rights. Note that speaking with conflict management does not automatically start an official complaint or policy process, and services include:
- support and advice for postdocs dealing with conflict
- conflict coaching
- mediation between postdocs and supervisors
- help you understand what your rights are and how they apply to specific situations
- provide you with information about what options are available to you when dealing with human rights issues
- guide you through the process of responding informally or formally to a human rights issue
Depending on the situation, you may also wish to familiarize yourself with Policy 33 – Ethical Behaviour and talk with the Conflict Management Office about how this policy may apply to your situation.
Health
Postdoctoral scholars who do not have a local family physician, are able to access Student Health Services on campus.
The Family Health Clinic, located in Health Services, provides primary care to immediate family members of our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars relocating to Waterloo Region, without a local family physician. The Family Health Clinic offers appointments for all primary care needs, including pre/postnatal care, newborn/infant care, well-child assessments, and routine immunizations.
Health Services and the Family Health Clinic can be reached by calling 519 888 4096.
Mental Health Services
Are you in crisis, feeling unsafe, or worried you might hurt yourself or others?
Campus supports
-
Special Constable Service - For emergency services on campus 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
- Counselling Services - Offers same-day appointments for emergencies and can be found in the Needles Hall addition on the 2nd Floor
- Health Services - Offers walk-in appointments for urgent concerns and can be found in the Health Services building
- Here 24/7 - Offers addiction, mental health, and crisis services provided by 11 agencies across Waterloo Wellington. If you are in crisis or need support, call 1-844-HERE247 (1-844-437-3247) anytime.
Postdocs receiving extended health benefits may receive coverage for various mental health related services (e.g. appointments with a licensed social worker), and postdocs receiving the full extended health and dental benefits also have access to counselling through the Employee Assistance Program. Please contact Human Resources (hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca) to confirm your benefit eligibility.
Community resources
The Distress Centre
- Youth Line | 519-745-9909 (18 years and younger)
- EARS Line | 519-570-3277 (dedicated to male victims of sexual assault)
- Community Links | 519 744-5594 (Mental Health & Addictions Data Base Line)
The Crisis Line
519-744-1813 or 1-866-366-4566 (toll free)
Offering prevention, assessment, intervention and resolution for urgent mental health and psychosocial crisis situations.
Operates 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year throughout Waterloo Region
Mobile Crisis walk-in
Kitchener
67 King Street East
Kitchener, ON N2G 2K4
Phone: (519) 744-7645
Toll Free: 1-877-627-2642
Hours: Daily 9:00 – 5:00 pm
Grand River Hospital Emergency
835 King St W, Kitchener
Phone: (519) 742-3611
Location Map
Cambridge
3-9 Wellington Street
Cambridge, ON N1R 3Y4
Phone: (519) 740-7782
Hours: Daily 9:00 – 5:00 pm
Cambridge Memorial Hospital Emergency
700 Coronation Blvd, Cambridge
Phone: (519) 621-2330
Location Map
Stratford
Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team
Toll-Free: 1-888-829-7484
Crisis: 1-888-829-7484
Stratford General Hospital Emergency
46 General Hospital Drive, Stratford
Phone: (519) 272-8210
Location Map
International travel emergencies
The safety and security of University of Waterloo students, staff, and faculty when travelling abroad is a priority. If you have an emergency while travelling internationally, Waterloo International provides a list of resources to assist.
If the emergency is medical, contact your medical insurance provider or the University benefit provider.
Provided you have the extended health care benefit, you and your insured dependants are covered while travelling out of the country for emergency medical services. View the Out of country benefit page for more information on emergency contacts, coverage, and information on travelling to Cuba.
Note: You must contact Canada Life in the event of an emergency while travelling out of the country.
Information and Systems Technology
Information Systems & Technology (IST) offers postdocs access to the IT Professional Development (ITPD) program, which includes courses in technical and computing skills to University employees. Training is delivered through instructor-led workshops. Workshops range from basic to advanced skills and include courses for applications, website management, project management, and more. View the ITPD Course Brochure for a schedule of upcoming courses, information on how to register, or to access course handouts.
University of Waterloo Email
In addition to receiving an official University of Waterloo email during their time as a postdoctoral scholars, all postdocs will automatically receive extended access to their University of Waterloo email address and other University systems, including Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and Eduroam, for a period of 16 months after their employment with the University ends. After this 16-month period, former postdoctoral scholars will retain access to their University email account only.
Legal and Immigration Services
Legal and Immigration Services (LIS) provides expert legal advice and consultation to members of the University of Waterloo community, including information for postdocs. Postdocs with questions about visas or immigration should reach out to LIS at lis-imm@uwaterloo.ca. This office has subject–matter experts on immigration and temporary foreign workers as they relate to the University community. They also oversee the University's responsibilities under immigration rules.
Library
Postdoctoral scholars can access all of the Library's services, including:
- help from a Liaison Librarian
- borrowing privileges
- interlibrary loans
- research data management resources
- study rooms and bookings
Explore the postdoc section of the library website for more information.
Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism
The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism provides anti-oppressive, trauma-informed resources and support for all members of the University of Waterloo community, including postdocs.
Please contact the Office of EDI-R via their Intake Form, if you need direct support, have any questions or need access to resources.
Resources, Tools & Getting Support
If you have questions or concerns about your rights or other equity issues within the University the office can provide resources and tools to get support, including:
- Know your rights
- Anti-racism resources
- Accommodations for racial trauma
- Pride at Waterloo
To facilitate greater knowledge and allyship at Waterloo, this office organizes regular events and opportunities related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, including:
- Workshops on anti-racism, and equity (including 2SLGBTQ+ Fundamentals, Equitable Recruitment and Selection etc.) open to all students, faculty, and staff.
- E-learning course on confronting anti-Black racism.
- Podcasts on topical issues and other resources for further learning.
Office of Indigenous Relations
The Office of Indigenous Relations works to support Indigenous members of the University of Waterloo community, including postdocs.
Indigenous employee community resources
All First Nations, Métis, and Inuit employees and retirees of the University of Waterloo & Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo are invited to join in monthly social events, and collaborative teams channels. Contact indigenousrelations@uwaterloo.ca for more information on how to join.
Events and gatherings are organized throughout the year, providing spaces for learning and reflection. Some are specifically for Indigenous staff and students, while others are open to all allies as opportunities for education and connection.
For anyone interested in learning more about reconciliation and allyship, the Office of Indigenous Relations provides several guides and resources, including:
- Indigenous terminology guide
- Allyship and general knowledge building
- Educational collaborations and online courses
Postdoc e-news
On the first and third Tuesday of each month, GSPA sends out the Postdoc e-news to all postdocs through their official @uwaterloo.ca email account. This contains relevant information (including news, events, and opportunities) for postdocs. Visit our webpage to learn more about the postdoc e-news, and for an archive of past issues.
Postdoc LinkedIn group
Looking for a way to connect with other postdocs on campus? You’re invited to join the University of Waterloo Postdoc LinkedIn Group! This group offers a space for postdocs to make connections with other postdocs, ask questions, and share advice or relevant resources. Visit our Postdoc LinkedIn Group website to learn more about how to join and how to create a LinkedIn profile.
Sexual Violence Prevention and Response
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) supports all members of the University of Waterloo community, including postdocs, who have experienced or been impacted by sexual violence (survivors, victims, friends, bystanders, those who have received disclosures, and so on). The harm does not have to have happened on campus or during your time at university for you to receive support.
Get Support
If you have experienced sexual violence:
- SVPRO can meet to speak confidentially about what happened (where one can share as much or as little as they prefer); provide information on supports and resources; help facilitate accommodations; explore reporting options available within the University and off campus; and discuss safety planning.
If you have received a disclosure about someone else’s experience of sexual violence:
- SVPRO can confidentially meet to help inform of best practices for listening and responding, as well as guide you on knowing what your roles and responsibilities are.
Important notes:
- Contacting SVPRO will not initiate an investigation.
- SVPRO is also not a crisis service. You can find a list of resources, including crisis services on their website.
Educational Offerings
For anyone in the University of Waterloo community interested in learning more about the prevention of sexual violence and about building a protective campus environment that centres consent, SVPRO offers trainings and workshops, as well as asynchronous online education and events throughout the year.
Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit
The Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit (SCSRU) provides statistical advice to those working on research problems, in addition to offering a full suite of survey research services that include survey methodology and sampling frame consultation, questionnaire design, programming, data collection (telephone, web, mail, face-to-face, and mixed mode surveys), sample weights, and data analysis. SCSRU services support clients to get accurate, meaningful results.
Tax resources
Visit the postdoc tax resources page to learn more about the Canadian tax return submission process, and get support filing your tax returns as a postdoc.
WatCard
WatCard is your University of Waterloo ID card, access card, and convenience card – all in one! With many services and vendors both on and off campus, there are hundreds of ways to make your WatCard work for you.
Visit the WatCard Office to obtain a WatCard. Bring a copy of your contract or an offer letter from your department which validates your employment. You will also need government-issued photo identification. Your identification must show your name spelled in English.
Contact us
If you have any questions about navigating resources or services, please contact our postdoc team at postdocs@uwaterloo.ca.