Postdoctoral Researcher Employment

Other Postdoctoral, Teaching Appointments: This policy shall not apply to individuals who are appointed as Visiting Assistant Professors or another non-tenure track faculty positions which are subject to policies applicable to non-tenure track faculty.

Visiting Assistant Professor (including those with a working title of Teaching Post Docs or Teaching Fellows) – (employee): This is a non-tenure track faculty position which is not eligible for sabbatical. Performs instruction and may also perform some research in an institution of higher education. Job title may also be utilized for Post-Docs whose primary role is teaching or who have certain appointments that specify substantial amount of teaching and research comparable to that of regular faculty. Position is limited term for no more than 3 years and is not eligible for reappointment. Ph.D. is required or equivalent terminal degree.

Postdoctoral Fellow (non-employee):  The University encourages both employees and departments to seek postdoctoral fellowships.  At the University of Kansas, a Postdoctoral Fellow (fellow) is the recipient of a fellowship or training award provided specifically for a particular field of study or training. Support is provided in the form of a stipend, and the fellowship is processed through the University’s financial system rather than through the payroll system. While the individual awarded such fellowships is not considered an employee, the provisions of the specific fellowship, the nature of other employment relationships, and the association with the University may provide services and benefits comparable to those of an employee.

The following provisions apply to Postdoctoral Fellows:

• General KU Eligibility Criteria: While eligibility criteria are established by the specific fellowship received, the University has some additional eligibility requirements. No service to the University is required as a condition of receiving the stipend; although services or collaborative research may be rendered incidentally as part of the training or fellowship program. A postdoctoral fellowship is awarded to an individual who has a doctoral degree as documented by a diploma or by certified transcript indicating doctorate earned. Postdoctoral Fellows are required to complete non-disclosure and intellectual property agreements upon confirmation of their association with the University with the completion of their affiliate data sheet.
• International Postdoctoral Fellows and Researchers: International Post Docs should always consult an advisor in International Scholar Services prior to making any transition from postdoctoral fellow to post-doctoral researcher status (or vice versa). Such changes may substantially impact visa status eligibility, insurance coverage, and salary requirements. For example, international Post Docs (employees) in H-1B status are not eligible to convert their status to that of a Postdoctoral Fellow (non-employee) without a requisite change in the scholar’s visa status. To do so would be a violation of immigration status and would require departure from the United States.
• Access to Campus Services: Postdoctoral fellows will be designated as an “affiliate” adjunct researcher. Upon obtaining a KU ID, affiliates receive University services comparable to that of an employee (e.g. online services, email, libraries services, KU ID, recreation center access, parking permits, access to Watkins Health Services). Information about services provided to affiliates and the affiliate data sheet to obtain those services are provided on the HR website.
  Campus departments with Post Doc Fellows must submit an affiliate data sheet to Vice Chancellor for Research for approval. Affiliates are designated on a one year basis so that designation must be annually renewed with an affiliate data sheet. The Fellow’s affiliate status with KU will be terminated when the fellowship ends.
• Other Services/Benefits: The specific provisions of the fellowship and/or employment arrangements with agencies/sponsors providing the fellowship may offer additional benefits to Postdoctoral Fellows. Such agreements may include provisions for leave, reimbursement to pay health insurance expenses, etc. Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible for coverage by the University’s student health insurance program. Although fellows are not eligible for other University-sponsored benefits provided to employees, (e.g. faculty/staff health insurance, retirement programs, sick and vacation leave, etc.) the University has established mechanisms to obtain health insurance coverage in particular cases. In addition, Postdoctoral Fellows who were University of Kansas employees at the time of accepting a fellowship can apply for official Leave-Without-Pay status through the University. If granted, the employee will be eligible to continue health insurance coverage on a direct-bill option, paying both the employee and employer costs. The University will provide an additional payment directly to the Fellow on a monthly basis from unrestricted funds to cover the employer costs of the health insurance during the fellowship period. For full details see the Policy on Post Doctoral Fellowship Payment Benefit Considerations.
  Fellows and departments are encouraged to contact the Vice Chancellor for Research well ahead of the fellowship starting date for information about health insurance programs and to discuss any possibility of special arrangements.