Welcome Pack for NanoBio4Can Fellows
This “Welcome Pack” is prepared to guide you through different steps before and after your arrival.
Brief information about Türkiye
Here, you can find details on Türkiye:
Brief information about implementing institutions
SUNUM: A dining hall is available in the Sabanci University Center with a capacity of 900 seats. Sports, culture & arts are part of the students' & researchers’ daily lives; in this respect, the campus has a Sports Center with a main hall, squash courts, exercise and cardio halls, fitness studios, table tennis areas, and a climbing wall. Sabancı University Performing Arts Center (SGM) has a capacity of 912, and the Cinema Hall has seating for 196. Conferences, concerts, seminars, film screenings, and performances are held throughout the year. A Health Center provides emergency response services 24/7 in addition to different treatment services. Although very limited housing facilities are available on campus through dormitories that can accommodate only 204 students, the University’s transportation services to different locations are available, and SUNUM HR tries to provide guidance for housing. sunum.sabanciuniv.edu
IBG: Dokuz Eylul University’s Health, Culture, and Sports Department has 20 dining halls, 14 canteen cafeterias, and 2 grocery stores. There are 4 student dormitories (2 mixed, 1 female & 1 male) with a total capacity of 900 people. Mediko Social Services, located in the Tinaztepe Campus, provides university students, academic and administrative staff with health services. There are 5 indoor sports facilities, football fields, open tennis courts, dance halls, fitness halls, and a swimming pool at campuses. Sabanci Center of Culture hosts events, concerts, and exhibitions throughout the year, while the Amphitheatre in Tınaztepe Campus hosts various concerts and spring festivals. ibg.deu.edu.tr
TUBITAK-MAM: Various free-of-charge services are offered, such as a guesthouse, kindergarten, lunch, transportation to 130 different locations in 150 km surrounding area for weekdays and limited services for weekends and after working hours, in-house medical services, sports center, and library. All research fellows also have a great opportunity to develop their non-oriented research skills through different courses and training such as project management, learning advanced computer programs, leadership, stress management, and many more organized by TUSSIDE, free of charge. In addition, all research fellows will be encouraged to attend some other courses organized by Gebze Technical University, located very close to campus, to improve their language skills. mam.tubitak.gov.tr
KUTTAM: Koç University offers a diverse array of events, including exhibitions, concerts, and plays, mainly at Sevgi Gonul Cultural Centre (SGKM) located in Rumelifeneri Campus. On the main campus, a multi-purpose gym (with table tennis, fitness and cardio rooms, and squash courts) is available, in addition to the open tennis court, soccer field, and ice rink. On-campus conveniences include a grocery store, hairdresser, full-service bank, lustre saloon, dining halls, cafeterias, and other dining options. kuttam.ku.edu.tr
Do I need a visa before I arrive?
Depending on the agreement between Turkey and your country, you might be required to obtain a visa. However, Postdoc candidates can come with any type of visa and start the initiation process to work. If you need a visa to come to Turkey, you are advised to visit the nearest Turkish Embassy/Consulate in your country with your acceptance letter. If your country has a visa exemption agreement with Turkey, you can directly come without a visa. For more details, please check the Turkish Foreign Ministry web page: mfa.gov.tr
Do I need a “Residence or Work Permit”?
Once you have signed the contract, you will apply to obtain special permission to stay and work in Turkey.
Health Insurance
After you have signed the contract as one of our MSCA fellows, you will be covered by the “National Health System” and be entitled to medical services at state hospitals. However, you may wish to have travel health insurance before you come to Turkey.
Accommodation
You will need to rent a flat or apartment close to the location you will be working in. The host institutions will not have support such as dormitories or guesthouses.
What kind of documents are needed to start the job?
You are kindly requested to submit all original documents requested from the HR department of your host institution.
After I have arrived in Turkey, how do I travel to the host institution?
Once you arrive in Istanbul, here’s how you can travel to
Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Istanbul
From Istanbul Airport (IST):
By Taxi: A direct taxi ride from IST to Sabancı University in Tuzla generally takes around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
By Public Transit: Take the Havaist airport shuttle towards Taksim and then transfer to M4 (Kadıköy-Tavşantepe Metro). At the Tavşantepe station, switch to a bus or taxi for Sabancı University in the Tuzla district.
From Sabiha Gökçen Airport:
By Taxi: A direct taxi ride from Sabiha Gokcen to Sabancı University in Tuzla generally takes 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic.
By Public Transit: Take the E10 or E11 bus towards Kadıköy and transfer at a nearby station (Pendik Metro or Tavşantepe) for easier access to Tuzla. Then, take a taxi or a local bus to the university campus.
Koç University’s Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul:
From Istanbul Airport (IST):
Taxi: A direct taxi ride from IST to Koç University in Sarıyer generally takes 40-60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Public Transit: Take the Havaist Airport Bus (HVİST-5) to the Hacıosman Metro Station.
From Hacıosman, switch to the M2 Metro Line and travel to the İTÜ Ayazağa stop.
You can then take a taxi or use shuttle services provided by Koç University from nearby locations.
From Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW):
Taxi: This can take 1-1.5 hours, as it’s on the Asian side of Istanbul. The fare might be higher than from IST.
Public Transit: Take Havabus to Taksim, then transfer to the M2 Metro Line to reach İTÜ Ayazağa.
From there, follow the same route by taxi or the university shuttle.
Koç University Shuttle Service:
Koç University operates shuttle services from several central points in Istanbul. Check the university’s transportation schedules, as it can be a convenient way to reach the campus.
The TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (TUBITAK MAM), Kocaeli
From Istanbul Airport (IST):
Taxi: A direct taxi ride from IST to Gebze, Kocaeli (where TÜBİTAK-MAM is located) can take around 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic.
Public Transit: Take the Havaist Airport Bus to Pendik Metro Station.
From Pendik, take a taxi or a local bus to Gebze, then transfer to a local taxi to reach TÜBİTAK-MAM.
From Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW):
Taxi: This is closer than IST, with a ride of around 45 minutes to an hour.
Public Transit: Take Havabus to Pendik, then transfer to a local bus or a taxi to Gebze.
Alternatively, you can take the Marmaray Train from Pendik to Gebze Station and then a taxi to TÜBİTAK-MAM.
By Train: From Istanbul, you can also take the Marmaray Commuter Train on the Gebze-Halkalı line to Gebze Station. From Gebze Station, a taxi ride to TÜBİTAK-MAM is short and convenient.
Once you arrive in Izmir, here’s how you can travel to
Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Izmir:
From Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB):
Taxi: A direct taxi ride to the center, located in Balçova, Izmir, takes about 25-30 minutes.
Public Transit: Take the IZBAN commuter train from the airport to the Halkapınar transfer station.
From Halkapınar, transfer to the İzmir Metro heading toward Fahrettin Altay and get off at Üçkuyular.
From Üçkuyular, you can take a taxi or local bus to the Biomedicine and Genome Center.
By Shuttle: Some universities or research centers provide shuttle services, so you might want to inquire if they offer transportation from central locations or directly from the airport.
By Car: If you’re renting a car, the route from the airport is straightforward via D550 or O-30 highways, taking approximately 25 minutes.
Public Transport
Ankara, Istanbul, and Kocaeli have well-established and convenient public transport.
Can I use my mobile phone once I am there?
For cell phones brought from abroad (not bought in Turkey), you must register them within 120 days after your last entry date to Turkey. If not, your phone will be blocked.
Turkish currency, Exchange Rate(s): You can use the following link for live currencies: bloomberght.com
Contact Detail: You can use the following e-mail address to get help on any issue related to the program: [email protected]