Re: Post-Docs Barbara McKinley 01 Dec 1995 16:10 EST
Doug, Several years ago, we developed the following descriptions to differentiate between postdoctoral individuals and research associates. We now reserve the research associate designation for career researchers - whereas, postdocs are always to refer to trainees. We indicated general periods of time, but we do not have real restrictions on these positions. I have appended our definitions for your review. POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW: A postdoctoral fellow is a trainee who holds a doctoral degree and is enrolled in an organized training program under the guidance of a specific faculty mentor. These programs are for a limited period of time, generally three or four years, although appointments can be as short as six months or as long as seven years. The individual is the recipient of a stipend, funded wholly or in part by a training grant, individual fellowship or other non-Federal source. Baylor College of Medicine has two classifications of Postdoctoral Fellow, Postdoctoral Fellow (MD) and Postdoctoral Fellow (PhD). POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE: A Postdoctoral associate is a trainee who holds a doctoral degree and performs necessary work in a research program under the guidance of a specific faculty mentor. These positions are for a limited period of time, generally three or four years, although appointments can be as short as six months or as long as seven years. The individual can be paid wages from sponsored research funds, non-sponsored funds, departmental funds, or a combination of sources. RESEARCH ASSOCIATE: Acting for the principal investigator, a research associate plans, coordinates, performs and/or directs responsible research work of an advanced nature that requires reliance upon skills and expertise acquired through actual laboratory experimentation. The individual uses own initiative or supervises others in planning and completing advanced medical or research experiments. The position is reserved for career researchers. It is a staff position and carries full benefits. Hope this helps. Barbara W. McKinley, Administrator Division of Molecular Virology Baylor College of Medicine e-mail: xxxxxx@bcm.tmc.edu voice mail: 713-798-3154 fax: 713-798-5075 ! ---------- From: Research Administration Discussion Group To: Multiple recipients of list RESADM-L Subject: Post-Docs Date: Friday, December 01, 1995 2:29PM We are trying to get a better handle on how we deal with Post doctoral fellows at this institution and I would appreciate hearing how others deal with a number of issues related to this position. 1) Do you have a specific title or titles that you utilize in your personnel system to designate someone as a post-doc? 2) Do you have any restriction on how long someone can remain a in a post-doc position? Obviously the individual could leave the institution, but can some make a career out of being a post-doc at your institution? 3) Do you have LOWER and UPPER limits on the salary allowable for post-docs supported by other means than NIH training grants? Doug Wilkerson, Ph.D. VOICE: (419) 381-4252 Assoc. V.P. for Research FAX: (419) 381-4262 Professor of Pharmacology e-mail: xxxxxx@GEMINI.MCO.EDU Medical College of Ohio 3000 Arlington Ave. Toledo, OH 43614