Postdoctoral Researchers Policy

1
Postdoctoral Researchers Policy Procedures
Effective July 1, 2008
www.ovpr.uga.edu/forms/pra
2
New Policy and Procedures for Postdoctoral
Research Scholars

• UGA has a new policy and procedures effective
  July 1, 2008
• Postdoctoral research scholars are no longer
  considered faculty OVPR will take over from OFA
  on July 1
• Policy
• Was developed in consultation with faculty
• Defines postdoctoral research as extension of
  training
• Strongly encourages minimum compensation level
• Sets a maximum time limit for occupying the
  position
• Outlines the roles and responsibilities for the
  postdoctoral research scholar and the mentor
• Details the differences between Postdoctoral
  Research Associates and Postdoctoral Research
  Fellows

3
Definitions

• Postdoctoral Research Scholars (generic term)
• Appointee has received a Ph.D. or equivalent
  doctorate (e.g., D.V.M., Sc.D., M.D.), usually
  recently, in a field directly related to the
  postdoctoral research appointees assigned duties
• Assigned responsibilities of the appointee are
  substantially research and/or scholarship
• Appointment is full time, limited term
• Appointment is viewed as preparatory for a
  full-time academic and/or research career
• Term of Appointment
• Five years maximum (one-year grace period for
  current fifth-year postdoctoral research scholars)

4
Types of Postdoctoral Research Scholars

• Postdoctoral Research Associate
• Funded from UGA-administered awards considered
  employees of UGA, salary paid for required
  services
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow
• Have primarily educational or training status
  paid a stipend for which no service is required
  (no taxes withheld, no 1099 filed)
• Stipend can be paid from outside source through
  UGA (e.g., a training grant stipend) or
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow Adjunct
• Stipend can be paid directly from outside
  source (e.g., foundation, agency)
• Fellows and Adjuncts are appointed as employees
  at 0 for the purposes of UGA-related benefits

5
Summary of Postdoctoral Research Positions
Postdoctoral Postdoctoral Postdoctoral Research
Associate Research Fellow Research Fellow
Adj. Term of Appointment 5 years max. 5 years
max. 5 years max. Compensation Salary Stipend Stip
end Recommended Min. Salary 30,000/yr (set by
sponsor) (set by sponsor) Income Tax
Owed Yes Yes Yes Income Tax Withheld Yes No No 109
9 Filed by UGA Yes No No UGA MyID Required Require
d Required UGA Card Required Required Required UGA
Parking Eligible Yes Yes Yes UGA Services
(library, etc.) Yes Yes Yes Background
Investigation Required Required Required Right-to-
Know Training Required Required Required Laborator
y Safety Training Required Required Required Retir
ement Benefits TRS or ORP (none) (none) Health
Insurance Employee Not currently offered Not
currently offered Employer Contribution State (spo
nsor) (sponsor) Annual Leave (no accrual) 10
hours/month 10 hours/month 10 hours/month Sick
Leave (no accrual) 8 hours/month 8 hours/month 8
hours/month
6
Postdoctoral Research ScholarAppointment Package

• Personnel packages should come to OVPR with
  Routing Form
• Signed letter of offer that includes annual
  compensation and terms of appointment
• Official Transcript (English or Notarized
  Translation)
• Curriculum vitae
• Provost Approval (Request to Fill, if applicable)
• e-Personnel Report, including all required
  assurances, etc.
• Signed Intellectual Property Agreement form
• Signed Security Questionnaire / Loyalty Oath
• Completed Background Investigation
• OVPR will now retain centralized records
• Including an annual review of time in position
  for all postdoctoral research scholars