Sample Postdoc Appointment Letter – Domestic
Revised March 24, 2006
Date
Name
Address
City, Postal Code
Country
Dear ______:
On the basis of our recent communication, I am pleased to offer you the position of [insert title: “Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee,” “Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellow,” or “Postdoctoral Scholar-Paid Direct”] in Title Code [insert: 3252, 3253, or 3254 as appropriate]. Your faculty mentor’s name, contact information, and lab location are: ______. Your appointment will begin on [start date] and will continue through [end date of first year]. Your postdoc appointment is annually renewable for up to [appropriate number up to five] years, but is contingent upon satisfactory work performance and available funding. Performance reviews are required annually.
[Use one or more of the following as applicable to describe the compensation level and source of funding]
During the initial year of training you will receive an annual stipend of [appropriate NIH NRSA stipend amount] funded by NIH.
As additional supplementary compensation to your stipend, you will receive a monthly supplement funded from resources made available by [funding source-usually either a preceptor name or departmental funds - specific grant or account fund names are not necessary] at the annual rate of [insert annual amount].
You will be supported by [funding source-usually either a faculty member’s name or departmental funds - specific grant or account funds are not necessary] at the annual rate of [insert annual amount].
Postdoctoral Scholar policies and minimum salary levels are guided by the University of California Office of the President and Academic Personnel Manual 390 (http://www.ucop.edu/acadadv/acadpers/apm/apm-390.pdf). PostDoctoral Scholars at UCSF are guided by Federal, State, University of California, and UCSF Policies, which are available at: http://postdocs.ucsf.edu.
In addition to your compensation, funds will be available for [include all or any that apply: approved travel, conference registration, training related supplies], and a benefits plan that includes health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability (for details go to: http://www.garnett-powers.com/postdoc/ucsf/). Postdocs are entitled to the normal holidays observed at UCSF, in addition to 20 days of time off per year, and to 12 days of sick leave per year. [This is true for postdocs in title code 3252. Adjust “time off/vacation” and sick leave information as appropriate if postdoc is on a fellowship or is paid direct and those sources are explicit about “time off/vacation” and sick leave. If they are silent on “time off/vacation” and sick leave, then fellows and paid directs should be treated the same as postdocs in 3252 in accordance with APM 390].
[Details on the program, fellowship, research goals, training opportunities, seminars, and other program or research specific information may be included here. For example: During your first few months in my laboratory, you will be working on ______[insert a sentence or two on the science the postdoc will be working on]. In addition, you will be required to attend a number of certification and training courses on Animal Care, Use of Radioisotopes, _____ [insert information from PI specific to requirements for lab]. In addition to the seminars hosted by ____ lab, you might be interested in some of the course offerings [include appropriate URL if you want your postdocs to attend any specific courses]. You are encouraged [required] to attend one of the Responsible Conduct of Research courses during your first year (for list, go to: http://www.research.ucsf.edu/QG/orQgTrain.asp).
.
For questions about the logistics of your appointment, please contact [insert name of postdoc administrator] at (415) ______or [insert email address]. I look forward to your joining the Department of _____and my lab. Please provide your signature below accepting this position and return the signed copy to ______ in the enclosed preaddressed envelope or via Fax at (415) ______.
Sincerely,
______, P.I.
cc: Name of Postdoc Administrator
I accept the postdoctoral appointment as stated in this offer letter.
______
Signature Date