======Before you arrive====== **Assignment procedure**\\ The Personnel Shared Service Centre (PSSC) of Leiden University, answers all questions concerning contract (preparations),\\ salary, advance payment, employment statement, terms and conditions of employment. More information can be found\\ in the HR section of the Leiden University website:\\ https://www.staff.universiteitleiden.nl/human-resources/new-staff?cf=science&cd=leiden-observatory\\ or contact the Personnel Shared Service Centre (PSSC): ☎ (071)5275555 or **University (ULCN) account**\\ You will automatically receive an ULCN university account during contract preparations. You need this account to log on to various systems, such as the HR portal and SAP Self Service. Please contact the ISSC helpdesk in case of problems: ☎ 071-5278888 or \\ More information can be found here: https://www.staff.universiteitleiden.nl/ict/ulcn-account?cf=science&cd=leiden-observatory **Observatory (STRW) account and e-mail address**\\ The Observatory IT office will set up your Observatory account and e-mail address. You will receive an email with instructions for activating the account before the start of your contract. Contact: **Moving to the Netherlands – flight and hotel**\\ International employees can ask support for arranging flights to the Netherlands and for booking hotel accommodation for max. 7 nights after arrival. Please contact the secretariat to make arrangements: **Relocation expenses – for non-Dutch employees**\\ Requests for relocation support should be sent to the institute manager prior to moving to the Netherlands, and if relevant, be accompanied with quotations from 3 different shipping companies. After agreement with the institute manager, the administration of the request will be handled by Somayeh Morabbi **Immigration: visa, residence permit**\\ During the contract preparations, the Service Centre International Staff will start up your immigration procedure - if needed - and will inform you of the procedures and steps that need to be taken.\\ More information can be found in the section ‘Immigration and requirements’ on the Leiden University website: https://www.staff.universiteitleiden.nl/human-resources/international-staff/immigration-and-formalities/immigration-and-formalities/science/leiden-observatory?cf=science&cd=leiden-observatory\\ or you can contact the Service Centre International Staff (SCIS): ☎ 071-5277300 or **Housing - for non-Dutch personnel**\\ If you need help with finding housing, you could apply for the waiting list of University managed accommodation within 3-6 months prior to arrival in the Netherlands or ask for help with finding private accommodation: Service Centre International Staff (SCIS): ☎ 071-5277300 or More information can be found on the SCIS website: https://www.staff.universiteitleiden.nl/human-resources/international-staff/housing/university-accommodation/science/leiden-observatory?cf=science&cd=leiden-observatory Please note that housing agencies often require an employment statement (proof of income). Please contact the Personal Shared Service Centre: ☎ 071-5275555 or \\ **Health insurance**\\ Basic Health insurance (“Basisverzekering”) is compulsory in the Netherlands. For more information, check the information in the HR pages of the University website: https://www.staff.universiteitleiden.nl/human-resources/international-staff/insurances/health-insurance/science/leiden-observatory?cf=service-units&cd=administration-and-central-services or contact the Service Centre International Staff (SCIS): ☎ 071-5277300 or **PhD and Postdoc ambassadors**\\ The Observatory has appointed PhD and Postdoc ambassadors, who help the newcomers to settle in. They will contact you before or immediately after your arrival in the Netherlands. PhD ambassadors: Willeke Mulder and Luna van Haastere ; Postdoc ambassadors: ____