For Postdoc Human Resource Professionals

Effective July 1, 2023, eligible postdocs can receive up to six (6) consecutive weeks of paid parental leave (PPL) to care for their new biological, adopted, or foster children, or other legal placements of a child.

Learn more at Paid Parental Leave for Postdocs website.

New to Postdoc HR?

Postdoc HR Toolkit

The toolkit is a living document and work in progress. It was shared with unit, departmental, and college HR professionals who work supporting postdoc hires and HR actions. It seeks to illuminate resources and best practices related to postdoc HR from OPA’s perspective.

Postdoctoral Scholars Regulation

The Postdoctoral Scholars Regulation (REG 10.10.8) was implemented June 28, 2010 and provides important information regarding postdoctoral appointments, hiring procedures, expectations of postdocs, postdoc salaries, benefits and leave provisions, and workplace-related issues.

Postdoctoral Offer Letter Template

Postdoctoral scholars/fellows should NOT complete the “Terms and Conditions of Employment” form designed for standard EHRA employees given that postdoctoral benefits differ from those outlined in the “Terms and Conditions of Employment” form.

Postdoctoral Scholar/House Officer Health Insurance Election Form

More information about the Postdoc/House Officer health insurance plan can be found on the NC State Student Health Services website as well as the NC State Postdoc Employee Health Insurance Benefits website.

Salaries for Postdocs

The required minimum salary for a postdoctoral scholar is the higher of the following: a)60% of the starting salary range for an assistant professor in the same discipline, or, b)$47,000. Furthermore, the University recommends hiring all incoming postdocs hired at 1.0 FTE.

Postdocs are eligible for salary increases based on merit and market increases. Any salary adjustments to a postdoctoral scholar’s pay must be in compliance with any restrictions or guidelines of the authorized funding source.

Important Information for Submitting Hire Actions for Teaching Postdoctoral Scholar Positions

It is critical that the “effective date” in the Job Action Request (JAR) hire action be either 7/1 or 1/1 for 9-month teaching postdocs to be paid appropriately over the full fiscal year. See explanation from the Controller’s Office here. The “appointment begin date” (start date) for most academic year appointments will typically be in mid-August and will differ from the “effective date”.

Hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow

Postdoctoral Fellows’ funding is in the form of a fellowship (often through a government agency or foundation) paid to the postdoc either through NC State payroll (paid fellowship) or directly to the postdoc (unpaid fellowship).

Postdoctoral Fellows’ pay may not be subject to tax withholding. This is a decision that Payroll makes after reviewing the position and grant through which the postdoc is funded.

Begin by completing the Postdoctoral Fellowship Appointment Form.

Resources for Faculty

Recruiting Postdocs

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs has created a list of Standard Interview Questions PIs or hiring officials may want to use when interviewing applicants for postdoc appointments. PIs or hiring officials are encouraged to interview either face-to-face, over the phone or via Skype prior to hiring a postdoc.

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs has suggested “Guidelines for Postdoctoral Recruitment” that may be used to guide the recruitment and selection of postdoctoral appointees.

Mentoring Activities for the Postdoctoral Scholar

Mentoring is viewed as a critical component of the postdoctoral researcher’s success, both as a postdoctoral scholar and a future scientist. Given its importance, mentoring will be a formalized activity between the postdoctoral researcher and the principal investigator with the aid of an individual development plan (IDP). More IDP resources for your postdoc trainee(s) can be found here.

The principal investigator will schedule meetings on a regular basis to discuss the postdoctoral scholar’s individual development plan and to assist the postdoc in meeting his or her goals such as career development, obtaining additional research skills, number of publications, and other professional development objectives. In addition, the postdoctoral appointee will be encouraged to participate in the offerings of NC State University’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, which includes career counseling, self-assessment activities, and free professional development seminars.

See our faculty guide to developing a mentoring/training plan, below.

NSF Mentoring Requirement for Postdocs

The paragraph below, “Mentoring Activities for the Postdoctoral Scholar,” is general language faculty may use to fulfill the NSF requirement for a mentor plan for postdocs (see Section II.C.2.d.i of http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf09_1/gpg_index.jsp) and in alignment with the America COMPETES Act. A more individualized, detailed plan may be necessary in the case of some situations. Ultimately, it is up to each individual PI as to the information that needs to be included for the NSF mentoring plan requirement.

Performance Evaluations

Faculty mentors are expected to provide postdocs with annual performance evaluations for all postdocs who have been employed at NC State University for at least 90 days prior to May 31 each year. Following are documents that may be utilized in this process:

• Performance Review Form
• Performance Evaluation Worksheet

In addition, postdocs are encouraged to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) at the beginning of their postdoctoral appointment and use this document as a communication tool with their faculty mentors. This, too, can be used as a part of an annual performance review.