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Chapter 16

POSTDOCTORAL APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS

Post-Doctoral Research Fellows (PDRF) and Associates (PDRA) are campus-based appointments, usually paid by Brown University although some such appointments are unpaid.  They differ from Research Fellows and Research Associates in that these appointments are hospital-based and hospital-paid.  PDRFs/PDRAs tend to be based at the Center for Alcohol Studies, the Gerontology Center, the Department of Pathology, or the International Health Center, and are usually hired by the Departments of Community Health, Psychiatry, Pathology or Medicine.  Most such appointments are complex because they involve grant funds that have specific requirements as to titles, benefits, and percentage of time worked.

1. Definitions: The following definitions will replace the current definitions in Chapter 8 of the Handbook of Academic Administration, effective January 1, 2006:

The University makes a number of postdoctoral appointments that support its research mission. Such appointments are intended to enhance the academic and research development of the appointee. Postdoctoral appointees receive supervision and mentorship by a senior scholar, and are guaranteed freedom to publish. All postdoctoral appointments, since they are designed to support the academic development of the appointee, have limited terms; exceptions to term restrictions may be granted by the appropriate dean. All Postdocs must hold the PhD (or equivalent). All Postdocs have access to health and dental insurance.

Postdoctoral Research Associates and Fellows are individuals in the preparatory or learning stages of their careers who are appointed to meet particular and defined needs of a project or program under the supervision of a regular faculty member.

a. Postdoctoral Research Associates are employees of the University: they receive a salary and all employee benefits for which they are eligible, and the grants which support them are assessed accordingly. Individuals are appointed on an annual basis, for a maximum term of five years.

b. Postdoctoral Fellows are in residence to conduct research supported by fellowships; they are normally paid stipends. Most Postdoc Fellows are not Brown employees, but they may participate in a University health and dental plan. Individuals are appointed on an annual basis, for a maximum term of five years.

2. Health and Dental Benefits: All Postdoctoral Research Associates are Brown employees and hence are eligible for benefits on the same basis as all other employees. Postdoctoral Fellows, however, are not employees and have no automatic eligibility for benefits, even though their work may be difficult to distinguish from that of Research Associates. The committee concluded that all postdocs, regardless of their employment status should have access to health and dental benefits, and agreements have been secured with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental to allow Fellows to elect such coverage.

Going forward, University policy will require that academic departments, programs or centers be responsible for providing the funds for health and dental insurance for Fellows at the level of individual participation. Postdoctoral fellows may elect to purchase higher levels of coverage.

Most fellowships include an institutional allowance that may be assessed for the cost of insurance. In those cases where an institutional allowance is not available, the department may provide support at least at the level of individual coverage; departments may elect to provide higher levels of support. It should be noted that, when health and dental benefits are provided to non-employees, whether supported by fellowship allowances or departmental funds, these are taxable benefits and must be managed accordingly.

3. Support for Postdoctoral Researchers: The committee recommended improved support and professional development opportunities for postdoctoral appointees, and identified the appropriate first step as clarifying institutional responsibility for postdoctoral appointees.

Most often Post-Doc Fellows and Associates are pre-selects.  However, they can also be hired through a search, which usually results in several appointments.  A search for PDRFs/PDRAs can be run as a normal Campus-based search, and paperwork to process new hires from this search is processed through the EEO/AA.

An appointment package for new post-docs should include the following:

• Departmental Recommendation
• CVs of Finalists  - this includes all people who were interviewed and ranked as finalists on the Compliance Report, Search Candidate Form and Applicant Log, whether hired or not.
• Letter from Department detailing salaries, account numbers from which salaries will be paid, and Candidates' Social Security Numbers and date of birth, term of appointment and salary base period.
• NOTE:  dossiers for PDRFs and PDRAs cannot be processed without this information.
• Letters of Recommendation for Successful Candidates
• Completed Compliance Report, Search Candidate Form and Applicant Log

If a PDRF/PDRA is being hired as a pre-select, BMFA requires all of the information listed above with the exception of a complete Compliance Report and Applicant Log.  Rather, we require that Pg. 4 of the Compliance Report (the page with salary information and signatures) and a completed and signed FPA be included with the appointment package.

Once the dossier is complete, BMFA will forward it to the EEO/AA which then processes it.  Keep in mind that the process is longer for campus-based faculty.  Payroll cut-off for receipt of salary information is usually the 17th of the month; as such dossiers should be submitted to BMFA the month BEFORE the appointment becomes effective.