The Office of Postdoctoral Programs will be
proposing two policy changes for Postdoctoral
Scholar appointments to Academic Affairs
We seek feedback from the Faculty
Senate before finalizing the
proposals
Presented by:
Barbara Bond – Director, Office of
Postdoctoral Programs
and supported by:
Brenda McComb – Dean of the
Graduate School
and
Rick Spinrad – Vice President for
Research
1
June 28, 2016
Brief Background
• Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are relatively
new at OSU – created in 2008 following
recommendations of task force commissioned by
President Ray.
• Like OSU, 62% of research colleges and universities
in the US classify postdocs in a category distinct
from students and staff – although policies
concerning stipends and benefits vary widely.
• OSU is unusual in retaining an “employee” category
of postdocs as we added the new “trainee” category
of postdoctoral scholars.
2
June 28, 2016
The postdoctoral scholar position is distinct in
that it is a traineeship
• Limited to recent PhDs; 3 year maximum
appointment.
• 15% of time to be devoted to professional
development.
• Supervisors responsible for helping scholars
move to next professional position.
• No part-time appointments allowed.
3
June 28, 2016
Issue #1: Mentorship for
postdoctoral scholars is uneven
across campus
• Proposed Solution: Require Individual Development
Plans (IDP) and Annual Reviews based on the IDP.
4
June 28, 2016
Proposed IDP/Annual Review
Process
• Templates for the IDP and Annual Review are
available on the web pages of the Office of
Postdoctoral Programs (OPP):
http://gradschool.oregonstate.edu/postdocs/individu
al-development-plan
• The IDP establishes good communication and
represents a commitment by both supervisor and
postdoc for work responsibilities and professional
development.
5
June 28, 2016
Proposed IDP/Annual Review
Process - continued
• A signed IDP must be submitted and approved by
the OPP within 3 months of the start of the
appointment.
• A signed Annual Review must be submitted to the
OPP before the appointment can be renewed for a
second or third year (IDP can be modified with reappointment).
6
June 28, 2016
Issue #2: Currently there is no
minimum stipend for postdoctoral
scholars
Proposed Solution: Establish a minimum
stipend – two options presented.
7
June 28, 2016
Option 1: Annual stipends of Postdoctoral
Scholars should be no less than the levels
recommended by the National Institutes of
Health for National Research Service Award
(NRSA) Postdoctoral Fellowships.
• Currently $39,264 starting with 4% annual increase
• Expected to increase to $42,000 in 2014
8
June 28, 2016
Option 2. Annual stipends of Postdoctoral
Scholars should be no less than the full-time
equivalent for PhD students supported on a
GRA in the same department
• Established by collective bargaining (Coalition of
Graduate Employees and OSU).
• Currently $41,412.
• Will increase to $42,646 in 2014.
9
June 28, 2016