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:

(a) The appointee was awarded a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent doctorate degree (e.g., Sc.D.) in an appropriate field less than 5 years from the time of initial appointment in the department.

(b) The overall duration of the appointment must be limited in a manner consistent with the definition of postdoctoral appointments as temporary. Under this policy, the upper limit for appointment to a postdoctoral position is 6 years, regardless of whether that training has occurred at OHSU or elsewhere.

(c) The appointment involves substantially full-time research or scholarship (100% effort) under the supervision of a mentor with a faculty appointment at OHSU.

(d) The appointment is viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research career.

(e) The postdoctoral appointee has the freedom, and is expected, to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of appointment.

(f) Exceptions to the above time limits or other provisions of this definition will be made only in extenuating circumstances after review and approval by the Postdoctoral Training Committee, the Postdoctoral Training Coordinator and the Department Chair. Such exceptions may require additional approvals specific to the funding source (e.g., training grant director, granting agency). The total duration of postdoctoral appointments at OHSU may not exceed 5 years without approval from the VP for Research.

OHSU distinguishes between two classes of postdoctoral appointees based on source of funding. Postdoctoral Researchers receive a salary from their mentor's research funding, are employees of OHSU, and are considered “at-will” and thus do not receive annual contracts. Postdoctoral Trainees receive a stipend funded from a training grant or individual external fellowship, are not OHSU employees, and are generally given appointments of one year, reviewed annually for reappointment.