Before arrival

Ask the department to create an e-mail id for you atleast 15 days before you join. Lot of events/department meetings are sent via e-mail, so you will be in the loop through this.

Fill up the documents (including declaring dependents availing medical insurance) sent by the Registrar before the arrival and send it along with your acceptance letter to the director. If you want to avail institute accommodation, in the same acceptance letter request director to provide institute accommodation. It is a good idea to send a copy of these documents to the Chairman of the department as well to include this in your department file (format of the letter: DOC | PDF).

Prepare a proposal for a start-up grant. This is to let the Director help you set up your lab. Identify a list of projects you plan to work on (for say 3 years). Identify equipment you will need (computers, printers, copiers, scanners, special equipment, a/c requirements, telephones, answering machines, shredders, furnitures: tables, chairs, filing cabinets, book shelves, window meshes, white boards, specialized software, specialized hardware, everything you can think of). Ask the department for the set of rates as per rate contract with approved vendor. They publish contracted rates of standard equipment. Try to send this to the Chairman of the department before you arrive, if you have your plans clear in your mind.

The current start-up grants vary from 40 to 45 lakhs.

Familiarize your self with institute rules and bye-laws.