Worklife Resources
Fellows
What is a Biological Sciences Division (BSD) Postdoctoral Fellow?
The BSD Postdoctoral Association produced the following guidelines at the request of postdocs who wanted clear information about university policies relating to their fellowships. Please contact us with comments, suggestions and questions about this information. Download these guidelines (PDF Updated 02/2008)
These guidelines are based on three University of Chicago documents:
- Biological Sciences Division Postdoctoral Training Guidelines (revised 3/31/05 ) (PDF)
- Postdoctoral Fellows’ Supplementary Stipend (10/30/03) (PDF)
The University of Chicago's current postdoc policy can be found in the handbook for postdocs published in October 2007.
Postdoctoral Fellows (PDFs)
PDFs are funded from a grant or fellowship paid as a stipend. PDFs are not employees
of The University of Chicago. Find out if your fellowship can be
paid as a salary. If it can, you can be a Postdoctoral Scholar.
This entitles you to all the benefits of a University of Chicago
employee. However, most fellowships, including NIH NRSA fellowships, cannot be paid as salary.
Compensation
Regardless of their funding source, all PDFs are paid an amount that is
no less than the minimum amount established by the NIH/NRSA schedule in
effect at the time of appointment. Thus, the minimum allowable
compensation for postdoctoral trainees with appointments commencing
during the period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 will be
$37,368. Any increase above this minimum is at the discretion of
the faculty who accept the PDF into his/her research laboratory.
If the PDF is supported by a NIH NRSA fellowship their compensation may
not be increased using federal funds. However, other types of PDF
may receive higher compensation in this way.
Supplemental Stipend
As of January 1, 2004, PDFs in the Biological Sciences Division are provided an annual supplement to their stipend to assist in the purchase of health, dental, life and long-term disability coverage, and allows a contribution toward an individual retirement account (see Retirement below). This action was taken in response to the disparity in living support available to postdoctoral fellows who are funded by training stipends and postdoctoral employees who receive salary and benefits from the University. Since postdoctoral fellows are not employees and therefore are not eligible for employee benefits, there is a disincentive to accept postdoctoral fellowship awards as such acceptance leads to a loss of employee benefits without any compensating increase in economic income. The supplemental stipend addresses this inequity.
All PDFs receive the Supplemental Stipend. For fellowships that do not include funds for health insurance coverage, the supplemental stipend is $6,200. For fellowships that already include funds for health insurance coverage the supplemental stipend is $1,600.
The Supplemental Stipend is provided in the PDF’s paycheck and is taxable income.
Health Insurance
All PDFs are required to have health insurance coverage during the term
of the fellowship. Health insurance for all postdocs is now
administered through Garnett-Powers. For more information, please visit their website.
Dental Insurance
The University of Chicago offers PDFs dental insurance through Garnett-Powers only. PDFs can alternatively purchase dental insurance from
vendors not provided by The University of Chicago.
Group Life Insurance
The University of Chicago offers PDFs term life insurance through The
Standard Insurance Company only. PDFs can alternatively purchase
term life insurance from vendors not provided by The University of
Chicago.
Long Term Disability Insurance
The University of Chicago offers PDFs long term disability insurance
through The Standard Insurance Company only. PDFs can
alternatively purchase long term disability insurance from vendors not
provided by The University of Chicago.
Payment Method for Coverage not provided by The University of Chicago
Any PDF who purchases coverage from vendors not provided by The University of Chicago will pay for that coverage themselves after tax and not via payroll deduction or form 62. The Supplemental Stipend or fellowship money used to pay for such coverage must be received in the PDF’s paycheck to enable the PDF to pay the vendor and will therefore increase the PDF’s taxable income.
Retirement
As non-employees, PDFs do not receive retirement contributions from the
University and may not contribute to University retirement funds.
Instead, PDFs may establish and contribute to an Individual
Retirement Arrangement (IRA). The Supplemental Stipend includes the cost
of a 2.5% employer contribution as is received by postdocs who are
employees. Payments to retirement accounts may not be made
through a payroll deduction. The Supplemental Stipend or
fellowship money used to pay for such accounts must be received in the
PDF’s paycheck to enable the PDF to pay the vendor and will
therefore increase the PDF’s taxable income.
Appointment Length
PDF appointments are generally for a 12 month term.
Term Limit
PDFs are limited to a maximum of 5 years total postdoctoral experience, including appointments at
The University of Chicago and elsewhere. Their PhD must have been
awarded within the last 7 years.
Leave Policy
PDFs receive 4 weeks paid vacation and 12 days paid sick leave per 12
month term. This time may be used as parental leave. As
non-employees, PDFs are ineligible for Short-term or Long-term disability, Personal Leave of Absence or leave under the Family Medical Leave Act. Childbearing, parental, and family leave policies for fellows are subject to the requirements or limitations of the funding agency.
Income Taxes and F.I.C.A.
- For U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and resident aliens, The University of Chicago is not required to withhold income taxes or deduct F.I.C.A. contributions (Social Security taxes), from the stipends and supplements. Each Fellow should file a declaration of estimated tax (IRS Form 1040-ES and Illinois, IL-1040-ES) and pay quarterly installments of the tax on the stipends and supplements (and any other taxable income). Failure to file the declaration will subject the fellow to interest on any under-payment of tax when he/she files an annual tax return.
- For non-resident aliens, The University of Chicago is required to withhold alien federal taxes at the rate of 14% from the fellowship stipends and supplements. Federal taxes will not be withheld if the Fellow claims and qualifies for a tax treaty exemption.
Visa Restrictions
PDFs may be citizens/permanent residents of the United States, or
foreign nationals who hold an F-1 or J-1 BCIS visa classification,
dependent on the specific criteria of the fellowship award. As
H-1B visas are employment-based visas, postdocs with an H-1B visa
status may not be appointed as a PDF, they must receive a salary and be
appointed as a Postdoctoral Scholar or Research Professional Associate.
University Housing
PDFs are eligible for University Staff/faculty and student
housing. However, PDFs are ineligible for the Employer-Assisted
Housing Program and Staff Loan Programs.
Laboratory Schools Tuition Benefit
PDFs are ineligible for Laboratory Schools Tuition Benefit.