Postdoctoral Scholars
Postdoctoral scholars are a crucial component of the research community at Brandeis University. While working under the supervision of faculty members and using the facilities of the university, it is our hope that these scholars are able acquire the skills necessary to pursue their career goals.
Brandeis University recognizes postdoctoral scholars as a class of appointments of limited duration that facilitate the process whereby scholars, having attained the highest degree in their field, continue to further their training by carrying out independent research, teaching, or other activities, funded by a sponsor. Our mission is to assist postdoctoral scholars during their professional training and development at Brandeis to successfully reach both their short- and long-term professional ambitions.
All postdoctoral scholars at Brandeis must have a mentor. Under most circumstances, this will be a faculty member whose grant or unrestricted funds sponsor the project. Postdoctoral scholars at Brandeis are expected to craft, in collaboration with their advisor, an Individual Development Plan (IDP). This plan should be reviewed and updated annually.
Because these are mentored training positions, postdoctoral appointments should be initially discussed and planned with a Brandeis Faculty member. Once a framework for an appointment has been agreed upon by both the scholar and their faculty mentor, the faculty mentor will work with their department and the Office of Postdoctoral Scholars to proceed with the hiring process (see section below for instructions).
Postdoctoral scholar appointments are usually provided annually, to a maximum of five years of postdoctoral status. Appointments of more than five years need approval from the Vice Provost for Research. For faculty members looking for guidance regarding Postdoctoral Associate compensation, please see this guide.
Types of Postdoctoral Appointments
There are three titles of postdoctoral appointees:
Postdoctoral Associates are supported directly by their sponsor’s funding and are considered staff; as such, they are eligible to receive university benefits and are covered under the Massachusetts Pay Transparency Act.
Postdoctoral Fellows are supported by a foundation or other nonfederal agency and are not considered Brandeis staff members. As such, compensation is set by the relevant funding agency. Postdoctoral Fellows are eligible for a limited set of benefits.
NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows are supported by an NRSA institutional training grant or an NRSA individual fellowship. As with Postdoctoral Fellows, they are not considered Brandeis staff members and their compensation is set directly by the funding agency (NIH). NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows are eligible for a limited set of benefits.
Creating Appointments
All requests for postdoctoral scholar appointments must be initiated in Workday by the sponsoring department or School. Please reference the Brandeis Workday job aids for specific directions on how to appoint postdoctoral scholars. There are separate job aids for appointing a Postdoctoral Associate versus a Postdoctoral Fellow (including NRSA) so please ensure you have selected the correct version.
Postdoctoral scholars cannot be appointed through the courtesy appointment process. Postdoctoral Fellows who require access to Brandeis resources may be eligible to be appointed as Visiting Research Scholars; please contact postdoc@brandeis.edu for further information.