The Policy
The University has recently announced the issuance of a new academic personnel
policy for Postdoctoral Scholars (www.ucop.edu/acadadv/acadpers/apm/apm-390.pdf).
This policy comes about in response to national and University discussions and
reports on postdoctoral education. The policy:
· Provides a general framework and core requirements for postdoc appointments.
· Applies to both postdoctoral "employees", typically funded
by research grants; and postdoctoral "fellows" and trainees, typically
funded by extramural agencies.
What The Policy Provides
The new policy provides all postdocs with a common set of requirements, rights
and privileges. In the past, postdocs have been appointed and paid in a variety
of manners, depending upon the requirements of the funding agencies. For example,
some funding agencies allow postdocs to be hired as "employees", while
others do not allow the employer/employee relation, thus, some postdocs are
paid as "fellows", outside the payroll system. These different payment
methods have resulted in differential treatment, including benefit eligibility
and terms of appointments. The policy addresses this and establishes terms and
conditions for all postdocs, including:
· A minimum salary
· Requirement of a 100% appointment
· Limit of 5 yrs in postdoc status (6th year by exception)
· Health and welfare benefits
· Sick leave and Time off Provisions
· Grievance, Layoff, and Corrective Action and Dismissal Procedures
Who Is A Postdoc
Postdoctoral Scholars conduct research under the general oversight of a faculty
mentor. Thier appointments are temporary positions with fixed end dates intended
to provide a full-time program of advanced academic preparation and research
training . Postdoctoral work provides essential training in many disciplines
for individuals pursuing academic careers and may include opportunities to enhance
teaching and other professional skills. If formal teaching duties are assigned,
a postdoc must hold both a Postdoctoral Scholar title and an appropriate teaching
title (under this circumstance, the full time postdoc appointment percentage
will be reduced accordingly).
Currently, postdocs are appointed in various titles, including Postgraduate
Researcher (PGR), Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher, or Research Fellow, which
has resulted in differential appointment terms and conditions. The new policy
is designed to promote as equitable treatment as possible among all postdoctoral
scholars, regardless of their title or payment methods, and establishes three
new titles:
· Postdoctoral Scholar - Employee: Title used when funding agency allows
a postdoc to be hired as an "employee" by the University (postdoc
is an employee and is paid through the payroll system).
· Postdoctoral Scholar - Fellow: Title used when funding agency does
not allow a postdoc to have an employer/employee relationship with the University
(postdoc is appointed as a "fellow" and is paid through a University
account, but outside the payroll system).
· Postdoctoral Scholar - Paid Direct: Title used when funding agency
does not allow a postdoc to have an employer/employee relationship with the
university (postdoc is paid directly by the agency).
Financial Impact for Principal Investigators
Principal investigators must provide funding for postdocs as follows:
· A salary at least set at the minimum of the salary scale (see Postdoctoral
Scholar Salary Scale)
· A 100% appointment
· Health and welfare benefits
In some cases where funding sources do not provide for these costs, PIs may
be required to arrange for the required funding in order for the campus to proceed
with an appointment.
Implementation of Policy
UCSC's implementation of the new academic personnel policy will happen in three
stages (see campus' Interim Implementation Plan).