Postdoc Life
Rights & Benefits
What type of University of Chicago BSD postdoc are you?
Below is a table of the rights and benefits different postdocs can expect within the Biological Sciences Division at The University of Chicago. This table is for summary purposes only. Click on the links to find out more about some topics. For full details consult your departmental human resources representative. The University of Chicago is currently revising postdoc policy and plans to publish a new handbook for postdocs by the end of 2006.
This summary table was compiled by the BSD Postdoctoral Association in consultation with the BSD Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs and the Office of Academic Affairs.
Download this table (PDF Updated 4/4/08). Questions / comments? Email James McCracken jamesmcc@uchicago.edu
Job Title |
Postdoctoral |
|
University Employee |
No |
Yes |
Funding |
Grant or fellowship paid as stipend1 |
Grant or fellowship paid as salary |
NIH NRSA minimum |
NIH NRSA minimum |
|
Appointment Length |
Generally 1 year appointment |
Generally 1 year appointment |
Eligibility |
Within 7 years of award of degree |
Within 7 years of award of degree |
Term Limit |
Yes. Maximum 4 years postdoc experience at UofC and elsewhere. Can apply for 5th year. |
Yes. Maximum 4 years postdoc experience at UofC and elsewhere. Can apply for 5th year. |
Benefit eligible employee of the University |
No. Can purchase basic health care coverage and certain optional coverage at cost, available through the University. |
Yes. Benefit costs payroll deducted. |
Supplementary stipend for benefits coverage |
$1600 / year (if health insurance funding provided by outside source) |
No |
Health Insurance Plans available through the University |
All postdoctoral fellows and scholars have the option of health and dental care managed through Garnett Powers and Associations (http://www.garnett-powers.com/uchicago/). All other healthcare and dental options will not be available as of January 1st 2008. |
All postdoctoral fellows and scholars have the option of health and dental care managed through Garnett Powers and Associations (http://www.garnett-powers.com/uchicago/). All other healthcare and dental options will not be available as of January 1st 2008. |
Leave Policy |
4 weeks paid vacation, 15 days paid sick leave per year. This time may be used as parental leave. Ineligible for Family Medical Leave Act; Short/Long term disability and Leave of Absence as a non-employee. |
4 weeks paid vacation, 15 days paid sick leave per year. This time may be used as parental leave. Eligible for Family Medical Leave Act after 1 year of employment. Ineligible for Short/Long term disability and Leave of Absence if 1 year appointment. |
Retirement Benefits |
Included in Supplementary stipend. Contribution cannot be made to University fund as a non-employee |
Retirement Income Plan for Employees (ERIP). University contributes 2.5% of your pay2 after 1 year of employment |
Life Insurance |
Provided at no cost. Starts at $20.000 coverage. This life insurance also covers repatriation of remains for foreign citizens. |
Provided at no cost. Starts at $20.000 coverage. This life insurance also covers repatriation of remains for foreign citizens. |
Taxes |
No payroll deduction. Estimated taxes filed quarterly. No FICA contribution |
Payroll deduction. FICA contribution |
Visa restrictions |
Cannot have H1-B visa status or be sponsored for permanent residency |
May have H-1B visa status. Cannot be sponsored for permanent residency |
Mentoring program |
Yes |
Yes |
Laboratory Schools Tuition Benefit |
No |
Yes |
Eligible for University Housing |
Yes. Staff/faculty and student housing. Ineligible for Employer-Assisted Housing Program and Staff Loan Programs. |
Yes. Staff/faculty and student housing. Ineligible for Employer-Assisted Housing Program and Staff Loan Programs. |
1 Find out if your fellowship can be used as a salary. If it can, you can be a Postdoctoral Research Scholar and a benefits eligible employee
2 Postdoctoral Research Scholars appointed prior to January 1, 2004 receive Contributory Retirement Plan (CRP) with 8% University contribution