Postdoctorals

Postdoctoral study encompasses both scholarship and training. The goal of a postdoctoral traineeship is to provide advanced research training beyond the doctoral degree and prepare individuals to follow careers that require expertise in their fields of study. Training is a central component of a postdoc's experience. It provides the opportunity for postdoctoral associates and fellows to enhance research skills critical to pursue careers as independent investigators or other related careers. For additional information please view the Research Foundation's Postdoctoral Employees and Fellow Policies and Practices Policy.

Postdoctoral Employees 

The Research Foundation has two dedicated position standards for Postdoctoral appointments as follows: Postdoctoral Associate and Senior Postdoctoral Associate.

To be eligible for a Postdoctoral Associate appointment, the candidate must have received their PhD, M.D. or equivalent from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization. Per University policy, candidates who are appointed to a Postdoctoral Associate position within three years of obtaining their degree will not require an affirmative action search or waiver for the first three years of their employment. Anything outside of this criteria will need to follow the standard University affirmative action procedures for a search or waiver.  

Information regarding benefits for Postdoc employees can be found on the SUNY RF Benefits - Postdoctoral Employees webpage.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

A Postdoctoral Fellowship is a competitive award of financial support to an individual which provides a stipend and in some cases money for benefits coverage. Although Postdoctoral Fellowships may be awarded on the basis of a proposed research program, they are not awarded to accomplish a specific statement of work, and they do not lead to an employer-employee relationship. Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded on a merit basis to assist a scholar in his or her professional training and development.

Postdoctoral Fellowships may be paid through the Foundation or directly to the individual from the funding organization. Postdoctoral Fellows are official affiliates of the institution and must comply with local campus rules with that affiliation.

 Information regarding benefits for Postdoc fellows can be found here: http://www.rfsuny.org/media/RFSUNY/Forms/Postdocfellowrates.pdf.