Postdoctoral Fellows
Definition
A Postdoctoral Fellow ("postdoc") is a professional apprenticeship designed to provide recent
Ph.D. recipients with an opportunity to develop further the research skills acquired in their doctoral programs or to learn
new research techniques, in preparation for an academic or research career. UNC Charlotte embraces the principle of the National
Academies’ Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (COSEPUP) that “the postdoctoral experience is first and foremost
an apprenticeship whose purpose is to gain scientific, technical, and professional skills that advance the professional
career of the postdoc.” In the process of further developing their own research skills, it is expected that Postdoctoral
Fellows will also play a significant role in the performance of research at the University and augment the role of graduate
faculty in providing research instruction to graduate students. A Postdoctoral Fellow works under the supervision of a
regular faculty member, who serves as a mentor to the Fellow, and it is expected that the faculty mentor will impart the
realities, and variety, of scientific careers, and will encourage experiences outside the laboratory to broaden postdocs'
aspirations. Within the confines of the particular research focus assigned by that faculty member, the Postdoctoral
Fellow functions with a considerable degree of independence and has the freedom (and is expected) to publish the results
of his or her research or scholarship during the period of appointment. Thus, the role of Postdoctoral Fellows is clearly
differentiated from full-time technical employees.
Postdoc appointments are characterized by all of the following conditions:
- the appointee was recently (within the last eight years) awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D.);
- the appointment is temporary;
- the appointment involves substantially full-time research or scholarship;
- the appointment is viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research career;
- the appointee works under the supervision of a faculty member; and
- the appointee has the freedom and is expected to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of appointment.
Appointment
Postdocs fall under a special category of temporary employment defined by
Policy Statement #108.
There are two key features of Policy #108 that faculty investigators should know:
- The Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations has the responsibility for monitoring and applying
policies that relate to postdoctoral appointments. Postdoc appointments are made using Academic Affairs
Form AA-35 ("Agreement for Temporary Postdoctoral Fellow Appointment") and require the signature of the
Department Chair, Dean, and the Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations. A key feature of the
Vice Chancellor's oversight is the degree to which the University's Postdoc hiring is nationally visible.
It is critical for UNC Charlotte's development as a research university that we be known for hiring Postdocs
and for treating them well. Consequently, Postdoc opportunities should be communicated nationally within
the discipline. This doesn't necessarily mean that expensive advertisements are needed, but rather that we
make an effort to inform colleagues throughout the country of our openings, and having an early discussion
with the Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations will probably make the process easier. The
Vice Chancellor will also ensure that health benefits are provided.
- Postdocs are appointed for one year and may be renewed for additional one-year increments. However, Postdocs
will be limited to not more than five years' total duration, and we will count prior experience as a Postdoc
in that five-year total. In doing so, we are following the recommendations
of COSEPUP, in which several guiding principles for the postdoctoral experience are set out.
Benefits
As temporary employees, postdocs will not accrue vacation or sick leave. However, the University recognizes that
postdocs will likely work long hours in the course of their duties, and faculty supervisors may make appropriate
arrangements for compensatory leave in accordance with the specific working conditions.
Policy Statement #108 states that "the Chancellor is
authorized to arrange for Postdoctoral Fellows such health care coverage and retirement benefits as may be appropriate,
consistent with the requirements of law and University policy." Under that Policy Statement, the University has classified
postdocs as students for health care purposes, and the University's student health fee will be paid as a fringe benefit.
The University will also pay for supplementary student health insurance for the employee, and the postdoc may pay to
add family members to the insurance plan. Under this coverage, the postdoc first goes to the Brocker Health Center and
may then be referred to outside primary health-care providers; family members may go directly to outside providers for
health care. The University does not currently provide a retirement benefit but is exploring possible options for such a benefit.
Step-by-Step Procedures for Hiring a Postdoc:
Before postdoc arrives
1. Develop a position description, using this sample p.d. as a guide.
2. Discuss p.d. and hiring procedures (including plans for advertising) with Stephen Mosier.
3. Proceed with advertising and selection.
4. Complete "Agreement for Temporary Postdoctoral Fellow Appointment"
( Form AA-35) and get Chair, Dean, and Vice Chancellor signatures
5. Send "Agreement for Temporary Postdoctoral Fellow Appointment" (Form AA-35), "Authorization for Release of
Information" ( Form AA-33), and
Insurance Enrollment Form to
postdoc candidate for signatures
6. Ask postdoc to order official transcript and have it sent directly to you. When you receive it, complete
"Verification of Credentials" ( Form AA-34).
7. Send postdoc appointment folder to Stephen Mosier in Research & Federal Relations (316 CARC), consisting of:
a. Signed Employment Contract (Form AA-35)
b. Verification of Credentials (Form AA-34)
c. Signed Authorization for Release of Information (Form AA-33)
d. Signed Insurance Enrollment Form
e. Official transcript
f. Curriculum vita
g. Form PD-7
After approval by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations, the folder will be forwarded to Academic
Personnel to start payroll and authorize benefits.
After postdoc arrives
8. Send postdoc to Human Resources. Postdoc will need to complete the I-9 form within three days of employment.
Please direct any questions regarding postdoc employment to Stephen Mosier,
Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations, at 704-687-2291 or
mosier@uncc.edu.
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