Postdocs are an integral part of our research community and we are pleased to be part of their career development. NYU's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs offers helpful resources to support this transitional career period. We encourage you to review the corresponding policy.
Postdoc Fellows are trainees; they are not considered NYU employees. They are not required to perform services (for NYU or any sponsor); they are at NYU solely to perform research and pursue scholarship for their own professional development. Postdoc Fellows receive stipends (not salaries or compensation), which may be funded either from training or fellowship grants paid via University payroll or via an external source. Fellows receive mentored career development. They typically define their own research projects, goals, and publication timelines, often in consultation with their NYU faculty mentor.
Postdoctoral Associates are employees of the University as well as trainees, and like all postdoctoral appointees, they are entitled to mentored career development. Thus, they are distinct from Research Scientist/Scholar (Code 103) appointees, who are hired to provide professional research services, but are not also trainees. Associates typically perform research or other services for NYU, and their work is directed and supervised by the University. They receive a salary for their services.
It is the general policy that Postdoctoral Fellows/Associates should not remain as such for more than five years after receiving a PhD or equivalent. Upon completion of five years as trainees, they should assume the rank of Research Scientist or higher. The post-degree clock begins the academic year following the date the degree was conferred. If a Postdoc is away from research for a period post-doctoral degree, the clock will stop. Please note that for postdocs that alternate between Associate and Fellow status, the aggregate of both profiles counts toward their clock. CVs should be used as the primary reference to review previous postdoctoral experience at other institutions. We appreciate your assistance in maintaining compliance regarding accuracy of appointment structure and associated reporting requirements. Please contact Renata Ortiz at rg127@nyu.edu or extension 88694 with any questions.
Postdoctoral Associate Appointment Terms
Section 1.12 of the Postdoctoral Policy states the following; please reach out to Renata Ortiz at rg127@nyu.edu or extension 88694 in the event an appointment is slated to conclude prior to the end date.
"If a postdoctoral appointment is terminated by the faculty mentor prior to the end of the appointment, the appointee must be notified in writing at least three months in advance unless the appointment letter expressly allows for less notice. The exception is for appointees who are terminated because of misconduct, failure to engage in appropriate research and training activities, or failure to comply with applicable NYU policies such as the NYU Code of Conduct, and in the case of Postdoctoral Associates, poor performance. The probationary period for Associates is six months in length; termination during this period need not be for cause and may not be grieved. In all instances, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs should be consulted."