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At Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the postdoctoral experience is an opportunity for further scientific training and professional development for individuals who have recently completed a doctoral degree. Postdoctoral fellows bring expertise and creativity that enrich the research environment for all members of the Laboratory community, including graduate and undergraduate students of the University of California.
This policy defines and sets forth terms and conditions relating to the appointment of postdoctoral fellows. It applies to postdoctoral fellows who are employees of the Laboratory. This policy does not apply to postdoctoral fellows who are guests of the Laboratory.
The specific title of a postdoctoral fellow is determined by the source of funds:
The "postdoctoral fellow" appointment is determined when (1) the research is supported by Laboratory funds, or (2) the Laboratory is reimbursed by an external agency for the postdoctoral fellow’s appointment.
The “special postdoctoral fellow” appointment is for the individual who has funding support from an external agency and the division augments the fellowship funding with additional work and compensation to reach approved Laboratory pay rate minimums.
The “interim postdoctoral fellow” appointment is for the time period between finishing doctoral degree requirements as a Laboratory Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) and beginning their postdoctoral work elsewhere. There should be no break in service between the end of the GSRA appointment and the beginning of the Interim Postdoctoral Fellow appointment. Such interim appointments are made by a division director, based on the recommendation of the supervisor, and are not to exceed six months.
The title of a guest postdoctoral fellow is determined by the source of funds. Postdoctoral fellows who have guest status at the Laboratory are not covered by this policy.
The "guest postdoctoral fellow" appointment is for the postdoctoral fellow with an appointment at another institution and is participating in a scientific collaboration or participating in experiments at a Laboratory user facility. See the Guest Policy to determine whether these are visitors or participating guests.
The “guest postdoctoral fellow—stipend” appointment is for a postdoctoral fellow who has been awarded or appointed to a fellowship or traineeship for postdoctoral study by an external agency and the fellowship or traineeship is paid through a Laboratory non-payroll account.
The “guest postdoctoral fellow—paid direct” appointment is for the postdoctoral fellow who has been awarded a fellowship or traineeship for postdoctoral study by an external agency and the agency pays the fellowship or traineeship directly to the postdoctoral fellow rather than through the Laboratory.
The postdoctoral fellow position requires a recent Ph.D. or its equivalent. Candidates should show strong potential for creativity and productivity in research.
Recruitment as defined in RPM §2.01(C) (Recruitment and Selection) is encouraged for all postdoctoral fellow appointments in order to promote equal opportunity for all candidates but is not required.
Appointment as a postdoctoral fellow requires a confirmed doctoral degree or the international equivalent.
including postdoctoral service at other institutions may not exceed five years. If a postdoctoral fellow is on an approved paid or unpaid leave of absence for one month or longer, his or her appointment may be extended by the length of the leave but only up to an additional one year beyond the five-year maximum.
An authorized salary scale establishing minimum and maximum pay rates for postdoctoral fellow titles is issued by the Human Resources Compensation Unit and approved by the Laboratory Deputy Director.
Divisions are responsible for setting pay rates.
In furtherance of advancing a postdoctoral fellow’s career, it is recommended that the postdoctoral fellow and the supervisor conduct an annual oral review and have ongoing conversations on career growth and development throughout the postdoctoral experience. A written summary will be provided to the postdoctoral fellow upon request.
Employees in postdoctoral fellow positions accrue vacation leave in accordance with RPM §2.08 (Vacation Leave).
Employees in postdoctoral fellow positions accrue sick leave in accordance with RPM 2.09 (Sick Leave).
Employees in postdoctoral fellow positions are eligible for unpaid medical leave as provided in RPM §2.13 (Family Care and Medical Leave).
Employees in postdoctoral fellow appointments are eligible for military leave as provided in RPM §2.14 (Military Leave).
Employee postdoctoral fellows are eligible for paid jury duty leave as provided in RPM §2.11(A)(1) (Jury Duty).
Employees in postdoctoral fellow appointments are eligible for holiday pay as provided in RPM §2.10 (Holidays).
Employee postdoctoral fellows are eligible for designated health and welfare benefits.
The postdoctoral fellow position is not a career-track position. There is no promotional track or expectation of advancement to any other professional research position. Waivers of recruitment of a postdoctoral fellow to another professional research position will be approved in exceptional cases and must be approved by the Laboratory Deputy Director in addition to the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Head of the Workforce Diversity Office.