Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Policy on Postdoctoral Research Training

[Approved 03/02/2009]

A. Purpose

This document outlines policies and procedures related to the appointment and training of Postdoctoral Appointees in the Department of Behavioral Neuroscience...  more

B. Coverage

These provisions apply to all individuals holding postdoctoral research training appointments administered through the Department of Behavioral Neuroscience... more

C. Definition of a Postdoctoral Appointment

In general, postdoctoral research appointments are to be considered temporary training positions with a primary purpose of providing additional research or scholarly training for an academic or research career. Postdoctoral appointments must meet the following conditions... more 

D. Responsibilities of Postdoctoral Appointees

Postdoctoral Appointees are expected to engage in research and scholarly activity that has been jointly planned with the Faculty Mentor... more

E. Responsibilities of Faculty Mentors

The Faculty Mentor is generally expected to provide intellectual and financial support for the research training of the Postdoctoral Appointee... more

F. Responsibilities of the Department

In addition to administrative support for appointment of Postdoctoral Appointees, the department provides oversight of postdoctoral training within the department, including a process for annual review of research progress and career development... more

G. Letter of Appointment

Offers of postdoctoral appointments must be made in a letter written to the candidate prior to starting date of the appointment... more

H. Annual Review

All Postdoctoral Appointees who wish to be reappointed shall submit a written progress report to the Postdoctoral Training Coordinator 3 months prior to the anniversary date of their appointment... more

I. Compensation and Benefits

In general, because they occupy training positions, postdoctoral appointees are considered to fall into the "student" category rather than the "employee" category with respect to compensation and benefits... more 

J. Postdoctoral Representation at Faculty Meetings

In order to facilitate communication between department faculty and Postdoctoral Appointees, the Department Chair shall designate one Appointee to serve as a representative at the monthly departmental faculty meetings... more 

K. Grievances

Postdoctoral Appointees have the right to grieve matters related, but not restricted, to the following areas: rights of authorship on scientific publications, appointee-mentor relationships, laboratory safety concerns, and discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability... more

Addendum to Behavioral Neuroscience Postdoctoral Research Training Policy

Additional Expectations for NIDA/NIAAA training grant-supported postdoctoral trainees

... more