Member and Visiting Scholar FAQs
The IAS campus is relatively small - it takes less than five minutes on foot to get from one side to the other - and our Members and visiting scholars typically walk or bike to their offices from housing. To get a sense of the campus layout, visit the IAS maps and directions page.
For complete information about Institute housing, look HERE. If you just want an idea of what your future home will look like, interiors* and community amenities are portrayed in this document: housing overview.pdf (*The images in this document are intended to give you a sense of what a typical unit looks like, your particular unit may vary somewhat from the one portrayed here.)
The Institute for Advanced Study is committed to supporting not just our members’ research, but to making research resources available to their partners/spouses as well. Information about computing and library privileges is available HERE.
The Institute has numerous policies and practices in place to ensure that our Members and their families feel welcomed and supported throughout their time with us. From amenities like soccer fields and a playground in the housing area, to the Crossroads Nursery School and Infant Center, to family-focused events and programming throughout the academic year, IAS works hard to make members’ families feel welcome on campus.
If you are a U.S. Citizen, or here on a Visa that allows you to be employed in the U.S., you may actively seek employment. For employment resources, click HERE.
If you will be here on a Visa and are not sure if it permits employment, contact Jennifer Hansen (hansen@ias.edu) for more information.
While the Institute does not have a policy disallowing employment of members’ partners/spouses, positions are not specially created for such individuals. Should a partner/spouse apply for an open position at the Institute, their application would be given the same consideration as all other candidates.
If you are interested in learning more about open positions on campus, visit: https://www.ias.edu/campus/hr/jobpostings
There are a number of shopping opportunities in the Princeton area. The Institute shuttle’s route stops at multiple shopping opportunities everyday, including the Quakerbridge Mall, Marketfair Mall, Wegmans, McCaffrey’s, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s.
Children living on campus are eligible to attend the highly-rated Princeton Public Schools. In order for your child to attend, you will need to complete the necessary paperwork to enroll them in a timely manner, so it is best to familiarize yourself with the process and requirements as soon as you know you will be coming to campus.
For more information about areas schools, visit the Princeton Public Schools website or contact Jennifer Hansen (hansen@ias.edu).
The Institute is home to Crossroads Nursery School and Infant Center. Very highly regarded, Crossroads allows preferential enrollment to members of the Institute community and members are eligible to receive reduced tuition for their children. Space is limited at Crossroads, reserve your child’s spot as soon as possible.
For more information about Crossroads, visit: https://crossroads.ias.edu/
The Institute does not provide or endorse any form of babysitting services, which are generally acquired through private arrangements with local teens and other caregivers.
Babysitters can also be identified through third party websites, such as Care.com and SitterCity.com. These sites have no Institute affiliation and are not endorsed by IAS.
Yes. The Institute for Advanced Study is an international organization, and recognizes that English is a second language for many of our members and their families. Two online resources – Mango Languages and Transparent Language – are available, both before you arrive and while you’re at the Institute. The Princeton YWCA also has a series of ESL courses, more information about which is available here: https://www.ywcaprinceton.org/programs/literacy-programs-esl/esl-2/.
To gain access to language acquisition-focused library resources before arriving on campus, contact Institute Librarian Marcia Tucker (tucker@ias.edu) for assistance.
If you come to the Institute with a personal automobile, you’ll find that numerous shopping, employment, and entertainment opportunities are within easy reach by road. Many members and their families are without a car while at the Institute, and rely on bicycles, the Institute Shuttle, and area public transit to get around.
For more information on transportation options while at the Institute, visit: https://www.ias.edu/campus/as/transportation
Both NYC and Philadelphia are easily reached from the Institute campus, either by personal automobile, or public transit. To plan your trip by car, consult Google Maps.
Public transportation in New Jersey is operated by NJ Transit. To reach any of these destinations without a personal automobile, take the Institute Shuttle to the Princeton Train Station (Dinky). From there you will catch the Dinky to the Princeton Junction Train Station.
To reach Philadelphia, take the Northeast Corridor Line south (toward Trenton). In Trenton you will need to change to a SEPTA train, which will take you into the city (most major destinations are reachable from the Center City stops of Market East, Suburban Station, and 30th Street Station).
To reach New York City, take the Northeast Corridor Line to its terminus at New York Penn Station. From Penn Station, points throughout the City and surrounding areas can be reached by subway, bus, train, taxi, and on foot. Public transit in New York City is operated by the MTA.
Transportation options may be found HERE.
Due to proximity and ease of access, the Institute recommends using the Trenton-Mercer Airport,Newark Liberty International Airport, or Philadelphia International Airport if your travel plans permit. All three are reachable by car, and public transit options are available to Newark and Philadelphia airports.
Transportation options from airports may be found HERE.
The shuttle stops at Wegmans, which sells some kitchen supplies and seasonal items for the home. Near Wegmans there is a Target and a HomeGoods.
Numerous items can also be purchased online from retailers like Amazon, Overstock, and Wayfair, and many such sites offer free, or very low cost, shipping options for home delivery.
Transportation options including the IAS shuttle schedule may be found HERE.
The Institute will gladly furnish a second set of dishes to anyone who keeps kosher. For this and other matters related to keeping a kosher home at IAS, please contact Sharon Tozzi (stozzi@ias.edu).
Yes. The Institute campus and housing areas are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the staff is happy to arrange additional accommodations as needed by our members and their families. For more information about accessibility on campus, contact Jennifer Richardson (jrichardson@ias.edu). For more information about housing accommodations, contact Sharon Tozzi (stozzi@ias.edu).
There are designated smoking areas across the Institute for Advanced Study’s academic campus and within member housing. When smoking, please be courteous of others in the area.