IV. Postdoctoral Researchers

1. For general information, see
   • HR Policy Terms and Conditions of Employment of Postdoctoral Researchers, Clinical Residents and Clinical Interns (VI.F.13) which includes, among other topics, the conditions relating to early termination of postdoctoral researchers, and
   • Provost Policy Procedures for Appointments of Postdoctoral Researchers.
2. The Office of the Provost maintains template letters to be used to extend offers to Postdoctoral Employees. Template letters incorporate space for different options and situations to be included. Business offices and Hiring Units should not attempt to edit templates to include more or other language beyond the options built into the templates.
3. Provost policy limits postdoctoral researchers to no more than 25% involvement in teaching-related duties. This naturally derives from the appointment’s emphasis on research.
   1. International Scholar Services will not process requests where the postdoctoral appointment involves duties that do not align with this expectation. International Scholar Services will return the request to the unit and advise the Host to reach out to the Office of the Provost.
   2. If more than 25% of the role will relate to teaching, Units may use Instructor, Lecturer or similar appointments instead of a postdoctoral appointment.
4. Postdoctoral appointments require the incumbent to hold a Doctoral Degree.
   1. Securing government approval and grant of the necessary University-Sponsored visa status for an International Postdoctoral appointment is frequently a months-long process. This means that the University must frequently initiate such requests before the International Scholar has received their doctoral degree.
   2. Hosts may issue postdoctoral appointment offers and initiate the corresponding necessary University-Sponsored visa requests before the conferral of the doctoral degree. However, International Scholar(s) residing outside the USA before the postdoctoral appointment start date must not physically arrive at the University until and unless the doctoral degree is conferred. Hosts and/or Host Units are responsible for monitoring the International Scholar to ensure they receive the doctoral degree before departing their country of residence for the USA.
   3. If the International Scholar’s completion of the doctoral degree is delayed enough that the scholar will not receive their doctoral degree by the start date of the appointment, the Host and/or Host Unit may choose to:
      1. Withdraw the appointment, or
      2. Convert the appointment to one that does not require a doctoral degree.
   4. If the International Scholar physically arrives in the USA before receiving the doctoral degree-
      1. The Host Unit must rescind the postdoctoral offer,
      2. The International Scholar must be advised to promptly return to their home country, and
      3. International Scholar Services may close or withdraw the request for work visa status that had been processed on behalf of the International Scholar.