POST DOCTORAL APPOINTMENTS

Case SOM has defined the postdoctoral positions as a training period for a career in biomedical science: "A postdoctoral trainee is a person who has recently earned a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, and who joins Case Western Reserve University to perform mentored research full-time under the supervision of a member of the faculty. The position can be held for up to five years and is meant to provide additional research and/or scholarly training in preparation for a position in academe, industry, or government." The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs provides employment related activities such as appointment letters for postdoctoral trainees. Postdoctoral appointments may occur as one of several categories:

Postdoctoral Scholar

This is a special class of employee of the University eligible to participate in a special healthcare benefit plan, but not eligible to receive other University benefits including the retirement plan and Benelect. The Postdoctoral Scholar is engaged in research projects funded by grants obtained by others at the University and receives a University salary. Postdoctoral Scholars are to be appointed with a salary at least equivalent to the current NRSA year 0 postdoctoral salary.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Individuals in this category receive training while engaged in research projects funded by grants he/she has personally applied for and obtained from either governmental or nongovernmental sources. A postdoctoral fellow is not an employee of the University. The postdoctoral fellow is also eligible to participate in a special healthcare benefit plan but is not eligible for other University benefits.

Research Associate

Individuals with an MD or PhD may also be hired as a Research Associate. A Research Associate is an employee of the University eligible to receive University benefits. A Research Associate may be reappointed to a maximum of three years, after which the appointee is terminated or placed in a different classification. Note that the RA position does not explicitly require mentoring and is a regular staff position with appointment letters processed by Human Resources.

Click here to read the university's Postdoctoral Trainee Handbook.

Click here to learn about The Postdoctoral Researchers Association (PRA). PRA was established in the fall of 2000 to foster a productive and effective dialogue between the University and Postdoctoral Fellows. The ultimate goal of the Association is to address issues relevant to Postdoctoral Fellows, thereby strengthening the reputation of Case Western Reserve University as a top research institute and advancing the recruitment and training of Postdoctoral Researchers from around the world.