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Dear postdocs,</div>
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A huge thank you to everyone who has already completed the MIT Postdoc Association's cost of living survey. The response has been fantastic, and many of you have shared detailed, thoughtful answers and comments. We really appreciate the time and care you've
put in.</div>
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If you haven't had a chance to complete the survey yet, here is your reminder to do so. The survey closes this Sunday and takes ~10 minutes to complete.</div>
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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><u>Please complete the survey by 11:59 pm this Sunday (10/25):
</u></b><a href="https://forms.gle/8ptvzhrWWFYh28Bs9" data-outlook-id="672f0b18-0b7b-4204-846a-becc063c0de8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b>https://forms.gle/8ptvzhrWWFYh28Bs9</b></a><b> </b></span></p>
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Every additional response helps make the results more representative of postdocs across MIT, so if you can, please pass this on to fellow postdocs in your group or department.</div>
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<div style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With thanks,<br>
Megan Priestley and the PDA executive committee </span></div>
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<b>Megan Priestley, Ph.D.</b></div>
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President, MIT Postdoctoral Association<b><br>
</b>Postdoctoral Fellow in the Stark Lab</div>
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Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research</div>
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology</div>
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<b>From: </b>Megan Priestley <megp@mit.edu><br>
<b>Date: </b>Monday, 19 October 2026 at 11:01<br>
<b>To: </b>mit-postdocs <mit-postdocs@mit.edu><br>
<b>Cc: </b>pda-vp <pda-vp@mit.edu>; pda-treasurer <pda-treasurer@mit.edu>; Ann Skoczenski <annskocz@mit.edu><br>
<b>Subject: </b>Postdoc Cost of Living Questionnaire (closes 10/25)<br>
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Dear colleagues,</div>
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The MIT Postdoctoral Association (PDA) is launching a short survey to better understand the cost of living for postdocs at MIT, and we would really value your input.</div>
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The survey covers everyday expenses such as rent, bills, food, healthcare and commuting, alongside a few questions about your appointment and household. Our goal is to build an accurate, up-to-date picture of what it costs to live and work as a postdoc at MIT.</div>
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<b><u>Why take part?</u></b> We plan to share an aggregated summary of the findings with the Office of the Vice President for Research to help inform its regular review of postdoc pay and support. A strong response rate will help ensure that the experiences
and needs of our diverse postdoc community are represented in these discussions.</div>
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<b><u>The survey:</u></b></div>
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- Takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.</div>
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- Is anonymous and voluntary, and you can skip any question.</div>
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- Reports results only in aggregate, with small groups suppressed to protect individual anonymity.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><u>Please complete the survey by 11:59 pm this Sunday (10/25) - it will only be open for one week.</u></b></span></p>
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<b>*** Complete the survey here: </b><a href="https://forms.gle/8ptvzhrWWFYh28Bs9" data-outlook-id="672f0b18-0b7b-4204-846a-becc063c0de8"><b>https://forms.gle/8ptvzhrWWFYh28Bs9</b></a><b> ***</b></div>
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Please also share the survey with postdocs in your group or department to help us reach as many people as possible. The more postdocs who respond, the more representative and useful the results will be.</div>
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Thank you for taking the time to contribute. Your input will help us better represent the postdoc community and advocate for support that reflects the realities of living and working at MIT.</div>
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If you have any questions, please contact me at pda-president@mit.edu.</div>
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With thanks,</div>
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Megan Priestley and the PDA executive committee </div>
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<b>Megan Priestley, Ph.D.</b><br>
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Stark Lab</div>
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President, MIT Postdoctoral Association</div>
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Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research</div>
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology</div>
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