FirstNameLastName, Degree(s)
Date
Page 1 of 4
DATE
NAME, DEGREE(s)
ADDRESS
Dear Dr. XXXXX:
We are delighted by your interest in a position on the faculty of the Department of XXXXX in the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM) and in practicing as a consultant with Northwestern Medical Group (NMG). This letter sets forth the terms that will govern your appointment at Northwestern University. Nothing in this letter is intended to override the terms established by the existing Northwestern University Faculty Handbook
(
Faculty Appointment
You will be proposed for appointment to the full-time coterminous faculty as an Instructorof XXXX for a term of one year, effective [insert date].This appointment is non-tenure-eligible and is coterminous with[insert role, e.g. “your Advanced Specialty Training Program (ASTP) fellowship in [insert field]”]. You must remain in your [insert primary position, e.g., “ASTP fellowship”]in good standingto maintain this faculty appointment. Your faculty appointment, including your title and the term of appointment, is subject to approval by theDean of the Feinberg School of Medicine and Provost of the University. [I amORWe are (if more than one individual signs this letter)]excited at the prospect of your acceptance of this role and anticipate no problems obtaining the necessary approvals.
Your faculty appointment is renewable at the discretion of the Chair of XXXX and the Dean of the Feinberg School of Medicine. Procedures for renewal of your faculty appointment and the conditions governing your appointment are set forth in the Feinberg School of Medicine’s Information Guide for Appointments, Promotion and Tenure; you should review this carefully. Your position in the Department of XXXXX is contingent upon your maintaining this appointment in good standing at all times.
During the term of your appointment, you will be subject to the terms of the Northwestern UniversityFaculty Handbookas well as all other Feinberg School of Medicine and University policies. As a Feinberg School of Medicine faculty member, you will also be expected to abide by Northwestern University’s Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment, as well as Feinberg’s Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, both of which are located on the FSM Office for Regulatory Affairs website (
Prior to commencement of your appointment, you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent resident status, or documentation of a valid visa that permits your employment at Northwestern, and this position is contingent upon compliance with Form I-9 completion timelines and confirmation of employment authorization by E-Verify. Maintenance of appropriate work authorization is required as a condition of your continued appointment at Northwestern.Appointment to the faculty is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check. You may be required to complete forms in order for the University to conduct this check.
Office space, secretarial support, and necessary office equipment will be provided by the department [or where appropriate:from resources assigned to the Division of XXXXX].
Clinical Responsibilities
Finalization of your University appointment is also contingent upon completion of the necessary paperwork with Northwestern Medical Group. In order to maintain your faculty appointment, you must remain in good standing at NMG, unless an exception is requested of and approved by the medical school. The terms and conditions of consulting at NMG will be set forth in a separate agreement. This will include evidence of a current, valid license to practice medicineand prescribe controlled substances in Illinois and completion of third party enrollment packets and credentialing forms. Delay in completion of these forms may delay your start date. XXXXX in the administrative office of the department [or division as relevant]can assist you in completing these applications. Consulting at NMG is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, drug test, and fulfillment of all medical staff privileging and credentialing requirements. You may be required to execute various consent forms in order for NMG to conduct checks and tests.
[MODIFY AS APPROPRIATE] All clinical faculty members are expected to perform clinical work as a component of their NMG responsibilities. Your clinical responsibilities will include [insert description]. Our department provides prompt, outstanding clinical and diagnostic services needed to ensure optimal training of the fellows and residents and care of our patients. We will negotiate your schedule from time to time so that your clinical load is appropriate and you have a reasonable amount of time to conduct your academic activities.
Education and Teaching Responsibilities
All faculty members of the Department of XXXX participate in the educational programs of the department and medical school which may include teaching service, training, preceptorship, mentoring, etc. It is an important principle of the department that we are all committed to participate in teaching programs for our students, housestaff, and fellows. You will be expected to contribute to the educational mission of the department and school by [insert specific teaching duties and educational roles for this candidate]. All members of the full-time faculty must also accumulate at least XX hours of continuing medical education credit each year for reappointment, of which XX hours must be at XXXXX [include relevant departmental conference(s)].
Student education is an important mission of the medical school, and it is an expectation that all faculty will contribute to Feinberg’s educational mission.The medical school is committed to the principle that educational relationships should be one of mutual respect between teacher and learner.To that end, it is expected that faculty members will abide by the principles outlined in the guide to a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment(
Research and Academic Activities
[FOR NON-NRSA FELLOWS, AS APPROPRIATE] We anticipate you will also engage in research or educational activities in the area of [describe expected academic activities].To assist you in building your research or educational program, the department will provide the following resources:[describe as appropriate].
[FOR NRSA FELLOWS]We anticipate you will also engage in research or educational activities in the area of [describe expected academic activities].To assist you in building your research or educational program, the department will provide the following resources:[describe as appropriate]. You will have protected research time to devote [insert percent; must be 75% or greater]of your effort to engage in advanced research on the[insert name of training grant].
Compensation
Annual Salary
In your role as a coterminous Instructor in the department, you will have a guaranteed minimum salary of $XXXXXfor the first yearyou are on the faculty, assuming satisfactory clinical performance and satisfactory discharge of the duties you assume. [FOR NRSA FELLOWS ONLY: Compensation will initially be provided as follows: $XX,XXX from Northwestern University for your NRSA postdoctoral fellow-related work and $XX,XXX from Northwestern University for your teaching and clinical work.]
Benefits
[FOR NON-NRSA FELLOWS]As a full-timecoterminousInstructor, you will be eligible to receive benefits through Northwestern University, which include a retirement plan and an attractive educational assistance and tuition benefit program. Should you be interested in details of the benefits, more can be found on Northwestern University’s website at The University must retain the right to modify or rescind any portion of its benefits packages at any time. You will be eligible for benefits according to the terms of applicable plans as they may exist from time to time.
[FOR NRSA FELLOWS]Postdoctoral Fellows funded by a National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are not eligible to participate in the University's benefit plans. They are eligible for a separate benefit program through Garnett-Powers & Associates. Additional details are available at
The proposal described in this letter is subject to and made in reliance on the accuracy and completeness of information you have provided regarding your prior education, training, employment history, and medical staff history.
We are extremely enthusiastic about your joining the faculty at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and believe that you have all the skills and attributes to have a highly successful and enjoyable career with us.
Sincerely,