Postdoctoral Scholars

Postdoctoral Scholars play a dual role as fellows engaged in mentored advanced training and as employees contributing to the University’s research programs.

An appointment as a Postdoctoral Scholar requires a doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D.) or the foreign equivalent.

Depending on the appointment type, processing can take a minimum of two (2) months. If a visa is required, the processing time can extend to a minimum of three (3) months.

 

Terms of Service

  • Appointments are temporary and have fixed end dates.
  • Initial appointment at the University is for two years; however, for Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellows and Paid Directs, the duration is the length of their fellowship award funding.
  • Reappointments of Postdoctoral Scholars from any title into the Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee title must be for one year.  However, reappointment may be for less than one year under certain circumstances: programmatic work, eligibility, and work authorization.
  • It is within the University’s sole discretion to appoint, reappoint or not reappoint a postdoctoral scholar.
  • Total duration of an individual’s postdoctoral service may not exceed five years, including postdoctoral service at other institutions. Under unusual circumstances the University may grant an exception to this limit, not to exceed a sixth year.

Types of Postdoctoral Scholars Appointments

Employee: an appointment is made in this title when (1) the agency funding the salary requires or permits the appointee to be an employee of the University, or (2) whenever General Funds, Opportunity Funds, or other University discretionary funds are used to support the position.

Fellow: an appointment is made in this title when the Postdoctoral Scholar has been awarded a fellowship or traineeship for postdoctoral study by an extramural agency and the fellowship or traineeship is paid through a University account.

Paid Direct: when the Postdoctoral Scholar has been awarded a fellowship or traineeship and the extramural agency pays the award directly to the Scholar (rather than through the University). They cannot be paid through personal funds (self or family funds).