Postdoctoral Fellows

Eligibility

Training

PDFs will receive a training commitment from the faculty sponsor and will be periodically reviewed for purposes of evaluation and setting goals for the training experience. Faculty Sponsors shall prepare a Mentoring Plan, which generally satisfies the “Guide For Mentoring plan for Postdoctoral Scholars” which is available from the BSD Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs. PDFs are also monitored by their funding source.

Compensation

All PDFs are paid an amount that is no less than the minimum amount established by the NIH/NRSA schedule in effect at the time of appointment (for more information, please see our Policies & Benefits page). Any increase above the minimum is at the discretion of the faculty who accept the PDF into his/her research laboratory. If the PDF is supported by an NIH NRSA fellowship their compensation may not be increased using federal funds.

Supplemental Stipend

As of January 1, 2004, PDFs in the Biological Sciences Division are provided an annual supplement to their stipend to assist in the purchase of health, dental, life and long-term disability coverage, and allows a contribution toward an individual retirement account (see Retirement below) and taxes. This action was taken in response to the disparity in living support available to postdoctoral fellows who are funded by training stipends and postdoctoral scholars who receive salary and benefits from the University. Since postdoctoral fellows are not employees and therefore are not eligible for employee benefits, there is a disincentive to accept postdoctoral fellowship awards as such acceptance leads to a loss of employee benefits without any compensating increase in economic income.  The supplemental stipend addresses this inequity.

All PDFs receive the Supplemental Stipend. For fellowships that do not include funds for health insurance coverage, the supplemental stipend is $8,500 (as of July 1, 2016). For fellowships that already include funds for health insurance coverage the supplemental stipend is $1,800 (as of July 1, 2016).

Taxes are withheld by the University for the supplemental stipend only.

Benefits

Gallagher Benefit Services administers benefits for postdoctoral scholars, fellows and visiting scholars. PDFs are required to enroll in health insurance. Gallagher also offers dental and vision insurance, and life insurance. See Gallagher Benefit Services for details.

Payment Method for Coverage not provided by the University of Chicago

Any PDF who purchases coverage from vendors not provided by The University of Chicago will pay for that coverage themselves after tax and not via payroll deduction. The Supplemental Stipend or fellowship money used to pay for such coverage must be received in the PDF’s paycheck to enable the PDF to pay the vendor and will therefore increase the PDF’s taxable income.

Retirement Plan

As non-employees, PDFs do not receive retirement contributions from the University and may not contribute to University retirement funds.  Instead, PDFs may establish and contribute to an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA). The Supplemental Stipend includes the cost of a 2.5% employer contribution as is received by postdoctoral scholars. Payments to retirement accounts may not be made through a payroll deduction. The Supplemental Stipend or fellowship money used to pay for such accounts must be received in the PDF’s paycheck to enable the PDF to pay the vendor and will therefore increase the PDF’s taxable income.

Appointments

Appointment Length – PDFs appointments are generally for a 12 month term.

Term Limit – PDFs are limited to a maximum of 5 years total postdoctoral experience, including appointments at The University of Chicago and elsewhere. PhD must have been awarded within the last 5 years.

Administrative Appointment

To initiate appointment, the Faculty Sponsor shall submit the following documentation to the Office of Academic Affairs:

1. Department endorsement of the appointment as a training experience
2. Description of the training/mentoring commitment and terms for evaluation
3. Compliance Screening certification
4. Citizenship form and appropriate visa documentation
5. Health Insurance enrollment form or proof of health insurance coverage
6. Current curriculum vitae
7. Completed “5-point” memorandum, for MD/PhD candidates addressing the restrictions on patient care

Appointment of a PDF requires the recommendation of the Department and/or Faculty Sponsor depending on Departmental policy, and approval by the Dean.

Leave Policy

PDFs are entitled to four weeks of compensated leave during each 12-month term appointment, and up to 12 days of compensated sick leave per 12-month term. This combined time may be used as parental leave. As non-employees, PDFs are ineligible for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act. Short-term or Long-term disability coverage is provided for all postdoctoral researchers at UChicago through Gallagher Benefit Services. Personal Leave of Absence or Childbearing, parental, and family leave policies for fellows are subject to the requirements or limitations of the funding agency. For example, here is the leave policy for NIH NRSA trainees.

For U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and resident aliens, the University of Chicago is not required to withhold income taxes or deduct F.I.C.A. contributions (Social Security taxes), from stipends. However, any supplements received ARE taxable.  Each Fellow should file a declaration of estimated tax (IRS Form 1040-ES and Illinois, IL-1040-ES) and pay quarterly installments of the tax on the stipend. Supplements (and other taxable income) will be subjected to tax dedutions by the University. Failure to file the declaration of estimated tax will subject the fellow to interest on any under-payment of tax when he/she files an annual tax return.