Policies and Benefits

BSD Postdoc Policies

BSD Postdoc Benefits

What Type of University of Chicago BSD Postdoc are you?

Below is a table of the rights and benefits different postdocs can expect within the Biological Sciences Division at The University of Chicago. This table is for summary purposes only. Click on the links to find out more about some topics.  For full details consult your departmental human resources representative.

Health Insurance Plans available through the University are managed by Gallagher.

Postdocs also have access to the Staff and Faculty Assistance Program (SFAP), a confidential service offered through Perspectives Ltd. that provides support, counseling, referrals and resources for issues that impact your life.

Postdoc scholars can view elected benefits, paycheck and update personal information by visiting Workday. Some information on Benefits and Leave is available through UChicago Human Resource Services. Postdocs are not eligible for Lab Schools Tuition, Reduced UChicago Tuition, Commuter pre-tax benefits, Employer-Assisted Housing Program.

Job Title

Postdoctoral Scholar

Postdoctoral Fellow
University Employee Yes No
Funding Source Funded by PI grant OR individual fellowship that is paid as salary through the university. Funded by individual federal fellowship (e.g. NRSA F32, T32, or NSF) OR other funding that is paid directly to the postdoc as a stipend.1
Appointment Length Generally 1 year
Eligibility Within 5 years of award of degree (for BSD postdocs).
Term Limit Max. 5 years combined postdoc experience at UChicago and elsewhere (for BSD postdocs).
Leave Policy

4 weeks paid vacation, 12 days paid sick leave per year.  Eligible for Family Medical Leave Act after 1 year of employment. Short/Long term disability coverage through Gallagher.

Parental Leave Policy – Six weeks (30 workdays) of paid Parental Leave after birth or adoption of a child. Postdocs eligible for FMLA shall have FMLA time run concurrently with Parental Leave.

4 weeks paid vacation, 12 days paid sick leave per year. NOT eligible for Family Medical Leave Act after 1 year of employment. Short/Long term disability coverage through Gallagher.

Parental Leave Policy – Six weeks (30 workdays) of paid Parental Leave after birth or adoption of a child.
Health Insurance All postdoctoral fellows and scholars have the option of health, dental, and vision care managed through Gallagher.
Life Insurance $50,000 at no cost to postdocs. This life insurance also covers repatriation of remains for foreign citizens. Offered by Gallagher.
Benefits Eligible Yes, deducted from payroll.2 No, can purchase benefits coverage through Gallagher.
Retirement Benefits Eligible for staff retirement benefits provided by The University of Chicago – The University contributes 4% of your compensation and you contribute a mandatory 3% by payroll deduction after 1 year of employment. Included in supplemental stipend. Contribution cannot be made to the University fund as a non-employee.
Supplemental Stipend for Benefits Coverage  Effective Jan 1, 2004 Updated July 1, 2016 No $1800/year (if health insurance coverage funding is provided by outside source) for dental, disability / life insurances, retirement and taxes; $8500/year if health insurance coverage is not provided
Taxes Payroll deduction. No payroll deduction on stipend.3 Payroll deduction on supplement only. Estimated taxes on stipend filed quarterly.
Visa Restrictions May have H1-b status. Cannot be sponsored for permanent residency. Cannot have H1-b visa status or be sponsored for permanent residency.
Mentoring Program Yes
University Housing Yes, eligible for staff/faculty and student housing. Not eligible for Employer-Assisted Housing Program or Staff Loan Programs.
Other Benefits Staff and Faculty Assistance Program, reduced UChicago gym membership, access to the Family Resource Center.
Professional Development Mentor Training for Postdocs, myCHOICE, weekly PDA seminar series and special events.

1 Find out if your stipend can be paid through the university as a salary. If so, you must be appointed as a Postdoctoral Scholar and you are a benefits eligible employee.

2 For benefits deduction through payroll (Postdocs Scholars), visit Workday.

3 Non-resident Aliens: Federal taxes may be withheld at 14% unless a tax treaty is claimed.

Compensation and Taxes

What level of compensation can BSD Postdoctoral Fellows and Scholars expect to receive?

the BSD minimum compensation levels for all postdoctoral researchers (Postdoctoral Scholars and Postdoctoral Fellows) should match the NIH/NRSA per year for years of experience. It bears noting that this policy establishes minimum compensation only; it is expected that all BSD postdoctoral researchers will be equitably compensated throughout the period of training and, in addition, be eligible for merit increases based on performance assessments.

Useful Compensation Links

Useful Taxation Links

Useful Social Security Links