McGill.CA / Science / Department of Physics

Resources for Postdocs & RAs

If you are unable to find the resource you need and/or need extra guidance, please contact Administrative Officer Diane Koziol ([email protected]).

Link/contact Details
Emergency and Safety-related Resources
Emergency 911 Police, fireman, ambulance
Suicide Action Montreal Hotline Phone: 1 866 277 3553
SMS: 1 855 957 5353,
Live chat: External link
Free 24/7 confidential, non-judmental support to those with suicidal thoughts, who are concerned about someone else or who have lost someone to suicide
Sexual Assault Montreal Hotline 1 888 933 9007 Free 24/7 non-judmental support and information about resources to those who suffered sexual assault or who want to support someone who did
Security Services (Downtown Campus) 514 398 3000 24/7 patrol, call to report suspicious people on campus or building emergencies, access to lost and found, requiring escort around campus or check-in if working late alone
Rutherford, Trottier and Wong Building Porter office: 514 398 7102
cell: 514 829 7597
Call if you're having issues entering the building, lost and found, or to report urgent building issues. For non-urgent building problems, report to [email protected] with copy to [email protected]
McGill Student Emergency Response Team 514 398 3000 (8:30am-6pm weekdays; phone number reaches Security Services, who will dispatch MSERT when necessary)
McGill link
MSERT is a student-run volunteer service, providing a free and accessible first aid service to McGill University and the greater Montreal community. Volunteers are certified with the Red Cross, and the team carries a range of first aid equipment. Also operates on all McGill residences, with the exception of Solin Hall (6pm-6am every night). Does not operate during the summer semester.
WALKSAFE 514 398 2498 (Sunday-Thursday: 9pm-12am; Friday-Saturday: 9pm-3am)
McGill link
WALKSAFE is a free SSMU (Students’ Society of McGill University) service. Call their number to have their walkers accompany you from point A to point B safely regardless of your reasons. Does not operate during the summer semester.
Emergency Rooms (ERs) External Link
External Link
Extensive list of emergency room locations, respective occupancy, and other related information
COVID-19 Resources
Quebec/Montreal Guidelines and Resources External link Official, daily updated bilingual information on COVID in the province and city: number of cases and deaths, restrictions, how to get tested or vaccinated, guidelines in case of contagion or contact with someone who tested positive
McGill Return to Campus Page McGill link Information on the return to campus Fall 2022, with section on the current university COVID policy
HR Resources
McGill Human Resources McGill link McGill HR's website for all things work related
Diane Koziol [email protected] General inquiries, can direct to other resources
Health & Wellness Resources
PGSS List of Resources McGill link Resources available to all postdocs and graduate students
Enployee Benefits McGill link As employees, postdoc are entitled to McGill's Employee Benefits
Employee and Family Assistance Program McGill link Confidential service offering support to employees on a broad range of personal and work-related concerns
McGill List of Off-Campus Health Services McGill link Assembled by the Student Wellness Hub, but many services listed should generally apply
TELUS Health Virtual Care App External link Manulife plan members should have access to TELUS' online health services through Healthcare Online: https://www.manulife.ca/business/group-benefits/prevention-and-management/healthcare-online.html
Quebec Info-Santé 811 To talk to a nurse and/or social worker (for a non-urgent health concern)
McGill Students' Nightline/Chatline Live chat: McGill link (6pm-3am everyday) A McGill student-run confidential, non-judgmental online chatting service. Not professionals, but offer active listening during crisis, can provide information and referrals too.
Tel-Aide Montreal Hotline External link Free 24/7 support and information about resources to those experiencing distress. Run by non-professional volunteers
Vent Over Tea Phone or video call: External link A free, confidential, non-judgmental space for venting. Not professionals, but offer active listening during crisis.
Sexual Assault Center of the McGill Student's Society (SACOMSS) External link Resources page for services in Montreal, they offer a call line at specific hours and support groups for survivors
Drugs and Alcohol-specific Resources
Drugs and alcohol emergency line through Québec government (24/7) 514 288 1515 or directly at 110, rue Prince-Arthur Ouest 24/7 access 7 days a week to medical professionals trained to help with addiction of drugs and alcohol every kind through the Québec government: https://ciusss-centresudmtl.gouv.qc.ca/soins-et-services/problemes-de-consommation-ou-de-dependance/urgence-dependance-en-toxicomanie
Tracom 514 483 3033 or External link Free 24/7 crisis intervention center with accommodation available.
Information on addiction to drugs and referrals (24/7) 514 527 2626 24/7 access 7 days a week to information and referrals to help with drug addiction funded by the Québec government: https://www.aidedrogue.ca/en/
Find free naloxone (Opioid overdose prevention) External link Find free naloxone near you in Québec.
McGill's free drug checking kits External link Get free drug checking kits and access other harm reduction resources through McGill's Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP) organization
Mobility-specific Resources
OSD Adapted Transport McGill link A free van service offered by OSD to travel between campus buildings. Available to all McGill students (and staff) who have significant mobility impairments (you will need to provide medical documentation)
Downtown McGill Campus Map McGill link This is an interactive map that shows different paths between 2 campus buildings, based on the level of mobility you input. WARNING: there are some buildings on campus that are completely inaccessible through wheelchair and such: this is most likely not a defect of the map, but one of the campus (sorry!)
SIRTA External link A public transport service specifically for people who have temporary or permanent mobility impairments (you will need to provide medical documentation). Available to all Quebec residents.
Academic Resources
Chair of the Department [email protected]
Physics link
Department faculty member who coordinates decisions within the department and mediates conflicts.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies McGill link McGill's graduate degree deadlines, policies, regulations and guidelines. They are also responsible for dealing with any situation out of the scope of the department
Office for Students with Disabilities McGill link Support to students with temporary or permanent disabilities of all nature. They provide exam accomodations, note-taking services and other accessibility resources. Long term COVID issues also under their scope, medical notes not always required
Other Relevant Resources
Physics Department Parental Leave Policy Physics link The physics department has a parental leave policy which supports graduate students and postdoctoral researchers with up to 12 months of parental leave.
Legal Information Clinic at McGill External link Non-profit, student-run, bilingual and free service that provides legal information, referrals, and community services to McGill and Montreal communities
Office for Mediation and Reporting McGill link Contact them to file a formal report of discrimination, harassment, or sexual violence; learn about policies and processes; or be connected to additional supports.
The Office of the Ombudsperson for Students McGill link Offers confidential, informal, independent, and impartial dispute resolution services to all members of the student community by providing information, advice, intervention and referrals.
International Student Services McGill link Support to international students: advice on immigration, visas and other legal matters, health insurance and life in Canada in general
Office for Scholarships and Student Aid McGill link Information on fellowships, scholarships, loan programs, need-based aid and work-study programs
Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support, and Education McGill link A McGill resource providing confidential, non-judgmental and non-directional support to those who have been impacted by sexual or gender-based violence.
Sexual Assault Center of the McGill Student's Society (SACOMSS) External link Resources page for services in Montreal, they offer a call line at specific hours and support groups for survivors
Office for Students with Disabilities McGill link Support to students with temporary or permanent disabilities of all nature. They provide exam accomodations, note-taking services and other accessibility resources. Long term COVID issues also under their scope, medical notes not always required
McGill Office of Religious and Spiritual Life's List of Spiritual Communities McGill link List of local spiritual communities/places of worship on and off campus. MORSL itself does not offer services to postdocs.
First Peoples' House McGill link They provide a sense of community to Indigenous students by organizing events and offering accomodation in their residence.
Black Students' Network McGill link Service provided through SSMU offering social and political events by and for Black Students in addition to hosting discussions and providing mentoring and resources.
McGill University Family Care Resources McGill link Resources compiled by the McGill community with basic information on childcare, schooling, eldercare and healthcare
McGill Physics EDI Resources Physics link The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee in the Department is a group of students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and faculty members that aims to create a working environment that is safe and inclusive.
Career Planning Service McGill link They assist students in their career development and search for permanent, part-time, and summer jobs, as well as internships, by providing workshops, individual advising and curriculum writing support, a comprehensive job posting service, and an extensive Career Resource Centre.
SKILLSETS McGill link SKILLSETS provides general, transitional, and professional skill development opportunities to complement the research training provided by the academic experience at McGill for graduate students and postdocs.
Graphos McGill link Graphos teaches graduate students and postdocs how to become accomplished scholarly communicators.
McGill Writing Center McGill link Offers writing courses and writing tutoring services
Relevant Student Associations
PGSS McGill link Post Graduate Students' Society (PGSS) is an association of all graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at McGill, with members on the Board of Governors and other decision-level groups