Step 2: Obtain a Letter of Appointment
Once the foreign national's citizenship has been determined, the second step is to obtain a letter of appointment. In order to obtain an appointment letter, the type or nature of the appointment needs to be determined.
Post-Doctoral Research Scholars
If the appointee is coming as a post-doctoral researcher (Postdoctoral Fellow, Postdoctoral Associate), please complete and submit the Postdoctoral Scholar New Appointment Form to the Office of Graduate Student Affairs and Postdoctoral Scholars (Attention: Robin Mancini, MS 207). The completed documentation will prompt the Office of Graduate Student Affairs and Postdoctoral Scholars to send a copy of the official appointment letter and appointment form to the ISSO.
If you are re-appointing a current post-doctoral researcher at Brandeis, you will need to complete and submit the Postdoctoral Scholar Appointment Change Form to the Office of Graduate Student Affairs and Postdoctoral Scholars (Attention: Robin Mancini, MS 207).The ISSO will then receive a copy of the official re-appointment letter once completed.
Processing of new letters of appointment will occur on Thursday mornings, so please be sure all requests are received by Robin by 4:00pm on Wednesday to assure the paperwork is procesed in a timely manner. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Robin via email: robinh@brandeis.edu
The ISSO will work with the host department to complete the appropriate visa documentation for the post-doctoral researcher to begin or continue their appointment activity at Brandeis University.
To access complete information and links to the Postdoctoral Scholar Policy on appointments, taxation, benefits, and appointment processes and forms, appointment requirements, please see the information posted on the Office of Research Administration website.
Courtesy Appointments
For the appointment of a Visiting Scholar (salaried or unsalaried, such as Courtesy Appointments; but not grant funded), complete and submit the following two forms to the Office of the Provost (Attention: Irene Heier):
(2) Recommendation for Courtesy Appointment
These forms, and additional information on the Courtesy Appointment process, can be found on the Office of Research Administration's website.
Teaching Faculty Appointments (Assistant Professors, Lecturers)
For a Faculty appointment, the ISSO requires the below:
ISSO Notification of Appointment / Request for Visa Document form
The form, once completed, should be sent to the Dean of Arts and Sciences Office (Attention: Lorna Laurent or Stephen Hum) for verification and approval. After the official letter of appointment is issued, the Dean's Office will send a copy to the ISSO to begin discussions with the host department and faculty appointee concerning visa options.
Staff Positions
In rare cases, foreign national appointees have been hired through the Office of Human Resources for a staff position (e.g. Research Technician, Research Associate, Research Specialist).
The hiring department should complete the ISSO Notification of Appointment / Request for Visa Document form and forward it to the Office of Human Resources (Attention: Melinda Cimino) for approval and issuance of the official letter of employment/job offer.
The ISSO, once they receive a copy of the official letter of employment/job offer will be in contact with the host department and the hiring department about visa issues and determine if the prospective employee is eligible for visa sponsorship. Hiring departments are recommended to contact the ISSO in advance or following the search process regarding any visa questions.
Visa Status Overviews
In all cases, the ISSO will assist the foreign national and the hiring department concerning visa options. The following are overviews of some of the potential visa options:
J-1 Visa
H-1B Visa
Trade-NAFTA (TN) Visa
Seminar Speakers and Consultants
Permanent Residence (Green Card)
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