FAU Postdoctoral Policy
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BACKGROUND
The role of the Postdoctoral Fellow is crucial to the success of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) research, scholarship, teaching and economic development programs. Furthermore, it is through a postdoctoral position that FAU contributes to the training of future independent researchers. This policy defines the FAU job profiles, outlines the responsibilities of a Postdoctoral Fellow and the supervisor/mentor, addresses the hiring eligibility, appointment terms and the performance evaluations (IDPs).
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PURPOSE
This policy is designed to assist the University in its efforts to define the positions within the Postdoctoral Fellow job family, provide guidance on their responsibilities and provide metrics to assist the university in reporting the number of employees holding these positions at FAU.
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POLICY
The Postdoctoral Fellow is considered a research employee hired by and reporting to FAU Colleges or Pillars. The following describes the types of postdoctoral fellows at FAU and provides the job profile definitions within the Postdoctoral Fellow job family, the position hiring and appointment details, eligible benefits, and annual performance evaluation process.
All Postdoctoral Fellows
- Hold a full-time position. Part-time employment is only available with significant justification made to and approved by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
- Hold a terminal degree in their discipline.
- Hold the position of Postdoctoral Fellow for three (3) years with the option to extend by another three (3) years for a total of six (6) years. Postdoctoral Fellows promoted to the “Senior Research Fellow” should not exceed a total time of six (6) years (Level 1 and Level 2 combined). Any exception has to be approved by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
A. Postdoctoral Fellows Positions
Primary Role Appt Period Eligibility for Sr. Research Fellow 9 months 12 months Research X X Teaching X X X Entrepreneurship X X Administrative X X - Research: The “Research postdoc” includes Postdoctoral Fellows primarily engaged in research and scholarship who are either funded by their supervisor’s/mentor’s research funding, departmental/college/institutional funding or with support from their own fellowship award. These positions may have a clinical component to them. Research Postdoctoral Fellows typically hold 12-month appointments.
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Teaching: Teaching postdoctoral positions combine scholarship and research with classroom teaching and pedagogical development. This position is applicable when the primary duties include teaching as an essential component of the postdoc’s training program. This postdoctoral position can be either a 12-month or 9-month appointment. Activities should be focused on the development of a future academic or professional career in a primarily teaching focused position.
In addition to the above-mentioned guidelines, Postdoctoral Fellows who teach follow these additional guidelines:- Require permission/approval from a Dean/Department Chair
- All courses must be offered through a department or program. Credentialing must be approved by the Office of Academic Affairs.
- Hiring departments/programs are ultimately responsible for establishing the instructional load,
- The Teaching Postdoc must follow all of the Academic Policies and Regulations set forth by the Office of Academic Affairs. See the FAU Faculty Handbook for more information.
- The Postdoc’s training must remain a priority with the faculty supervisor recognizing that mentorship and guidance will continue throughout the appointment period.
- Entrepreneurial: The entrepreneurial postdoc position is a typical 12 month appointment and is focused on economic development. Entrepreneurial Postdoctoral Fellows prepare for a career in industry or private business. These fellows typically develop their supervisor's/mentor's research for commercialization and participates in applicable training sessions. Professional development will be provided by one of FAU’s entrepreneurial programs (preferably FAU Tech Runway). This career development mentorship focuses on entrepreneurism, business development and management. The primary goal for an entrepreneurial postdoctoral fellow is to take laboratory research toward application and commercialization.
- Administrative: The administrative postdoc position is typically a 12-month appointment that provides an individual with the opportunity to move into a research administrative position. Mentorship can be provided by a consortium of individuals if the postdoc rotates through different positions. This position is typically excluded from promotion to “Senior Research Fellow”, since grant writing typically is not a large part of this appointment.
- A postdoctoral fellow appointee should be considered a mentee of their faculty advisor, and thereby co-author appropriate research outcomes.
B. Job Profile Definitions
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LEVEL 1 Postdoctoral Fellow
- Are Early/Earlier Stage Postdoctoral Fellows
- Receive funding through their advisor’s funding or departmental/institutional funding.
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Affiliate Postdoctoral Fellow (Non-Employee Paid Direct)
- Is fully supported by a fellowship or traineeship for Postdoctoral Fellows by an extramural agency/sponsor and the sponsor pays the award directly to the individual, rather than through the institution.
- All affiliate postdocs are required to have a faculty advisor and are expected to participate in applicable professional development opportunities, as outlined in their mentoring plan. Time commitment is determined by award guidelines.
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LEVEL 2 Senior Research Fellow
Postdoctoral fellows have the opportunity for promotion to “Senior Research Fellow” when their scientific/scholarly experience and conduct have progressed sufficiently to allow for the individual to take the responsibility of a principal investigator (PI) on a research grant. This promotion, therefore, is given with the sole intent that the postdoctoral fellow learns to write and submit research grant applications to external funding agencies. Senior Research Fellows otherwise maintain their postdoctoral status and are required to work with their advisor in directing research and career advancement.
- Must have held a Postdoctoral Fellow (Level 1) position at FAU for a minimum of 6 months.
- Are required to write and submit research grant application(s) to external funding agencies as the PI, regardless of the type of position they are holding (Research, Teaching, Entrepreneurship).
- Required to have an updated IDP form in Workday.
- Available to all types of Postdoctoral Fellows, except for Administrative Postdoctoral Fellows. An exception can be made if the Fellow/Mentor shows justifiable grant writing activity for this position.
C. Responsibilities and Expectations of Mentor and Mentee
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Supervisor/Mentor
The Postdoctoral Fellow is managed by a supervisor/mentor. Supervisors/Mentors are responsible for guiding, monitoring and supporting the work of the fellow. The supervisor/mentor has the responsibility of contributing to the intellectual, technical, and professional development of the fellow in a meaningful way including lending career advice. At the time of the postdoctoral fellow hire, the supervisor/mentor provides the fellow with a written document outlining assigned duties, goals and expectations (“Individual Development Plan”). Supervisors/Mentors are expected to communicate with the fellow on a regular basis, and a formal annual performance evaluation should be conducted. See procedural document for further information regarding the Individual Development Plan (IDP).
Mentee (Postdoctoral Fellow/Senior Research Fellow)
The Postdoctoral Fellow has full responsibility for actuating their postdoctoral training, being aware of the details entailed in the training plan, including the expectations and responsibilities set forth, and seeking and participating in opportunities for professional development and career advice. The fellow is responsible for adhering to the expectations provided in the letter of appointment and all applicable University policies regarding research conduct.
The fellow is responsible for adhering to ethical standards, good laboratory practices and collegial conduct toward coworkers. In addition, compliance with all sponsors, FAU policies and procedures, including those governing biosafety, human subjects and animals, is required. Fellows are expected to actively participate in training opportunities and communicate with their supervisor/mentor on a regular basis.
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POLICY RENEWAL DATE
This Postdoctoral Policy will be reviewed at least once per year and updated as needed.
POLICY APPROVAL
Executed signature pages are available in the Initiating Authority Office
APPENDICES
Procedures Postdoctoral Fellow Appointments
(Updated 5/18/2023)