Offer Letter
Standing Faculty -- Tenure Track
Basic Scientist
Assistant Professor
[Date]
John Doe, M.D.
123 Park Place
Philadelphia, PA 12345
Dear __________:
On the basis of our recent conversations, I am pleased to offer you the position of Assistant
Professor of (specify department) in the Standing Faculty - tenure track of the Perelman School of
Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania for an initial term of 3 years. Your appointment and
subsequent reappointment are subject to approval by the appropriate Perelman School of Medicine
committees, the Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine and the Provost’s Staff Conference of the
University. You will be contacted for information regarding reappointment.
The Handbook for Faculty and Academic Administrators, which can be accessed at
http://provost.upenn.edu/policies/faculty-handbook currently provides that this appointment is
renewable and there will be a mandatory review for promotion in or before your sixth year. You should
be aware of the University’s “Policy on Extension of the Probationary Period,” Faculty Handbook Policy
II.E.3 at http://provost.upenn.edu/policies/faculty-handbook and timely filing requirements which
provides important information relating to specific circumstances under which your probationary period
may be extended.
The Faculty Affairs and Professional Development (FAPD) website, www.med.upenn.edu/fapd
contains additional faculty policies and related information which may be helpful to you. Within our
department, (insert name of faculty coordinator) is the faculty coordinator, (insert name of department
coap chair) is the chair of our department committee on appointments and promotions and (insert name
of department education officer) is the education officer and may also serve as a resource for you.
In order to prepare proactively for reappointment and promotion, you must maintain records of
your teaching efforts and evaluative data. The Housestaff and Medical Student Teaching Evaluation
Record (HAMSTER) is a substantial online report of teaching information that will be available to you.
It includes recorded teaching activities and evaluations of faculty by medical students, residents, fellows
and masters students in the Perelman School of Medicine. You are responsible for collecting and
submitting any qualitative and quantitative data for teaching activities not captured in HAMSTER.
The Perelman School of Medicine requires new faculty who will have teaching responsibilities to
complete a professional development series designed to enhance teaching skills, thereby supporting the
University’s educational mission and providing faculty with training and preparation for teaching, a
critical factor in review for reappointment and promotion .
The Professional Development Teaching Requirement series include:
1. The Digital Welcome, an online orientation that provides critical information about teaching
environments, standards, and expectations, as well as how your teaching will be evaluated, must
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be completed within three months of your appointment date. When you have attained your
PennKey, you will be able to access the Digital Welcome from
http://www.med.upenn.edu/fapd/professional/
2. Completion of Teaching at the Perelman School of Medicine 101, a learner-directed workshop
wherein experienced faculty review best practices and techniques for clinical, lecture, and
facilitated learning (small group) teaching, as well as longitudinal mentoring and research
supervision by (insert date, If start date is July 1 to December 31, by June 30th of that academic
year; if start date is January 1, to June 30, by June 30th of the following academic year.) You can
view the schedule and, when you have attained your PennKey, enroll in Teaching at the
Perelman School of Medicine 101 from the link available on
http://www.med.upenn.edu/fapd/professional/
3. Completion of two additional Advance faculty professional development programs for Attaining
Teaching Excellence by June 30th of your second academic year.
You will not be reviewed for initial reappointment unless the professional development requirement has
been met.
I also encourage you to attend any of the other sessions offered through the Advance program
http://www.med.upenn.edu/fapd/professional/ in your role as either mentee or mentor. In addition to
attaining teaching excellence, these programs provide guidance in research, scientific writing, career
development and achievement, leadership and management and technology training. Announcements
about these programs are also communicated through emails. You should feel free to contact FAPD
about any professional development needs or suggestions.
Attached you will find a statement regarding your compensation for the period (insert
date).
(If applicable)
In support of the University’s sustainability goals and for the convenience of employees, we have
replaced University paper checks with electronic payment options:
 Direct deposit to your bank account (Direct Deposit) and
 The ADP ALINE Card, with courtesy checks, (ALINE Card)1
The ALINE Card is automatically issued to all new employees for purposes of receiving their pay or
reimbursements for travel or other business related expenses. An ALINE Card packet will be sent to you
directly from ADP. The packet will contain both the ALINE Card, which can be used like any debit card,
and courtesy checks, along with instructions on how to use them.
Your acceptance of employment and/or completion of your employment eligibility verification (Form
I-9) constitute consent to the University’s payroll methods, including the use of the ADP Aline Card.
You may choose to elect Direct Deposit at any time. If your Direct Deposit election is processed in time
for your first wage payment, Penn will attempt to prevent ALINE card issuance. If you receive your pay
1
While the University’s’ options for receiving payments are designed to take advantage of the benefits of electronic methods, the ADP ALINE
Card with courtesy checks option enables payees to write and cash checks for the entire amount due to them. This functionally is equivalent to a
‘check only’ process but has the added benefits of being able to the use the debit card, electronic bill payment, and/or write checks for different
amounts. If you prefer the ALINE Card but require assistance in completing a written check due to an accommodation for a disability or other
reason, please contact the Disbursement Office- Payroll (215-898-6301 or payroll@exchange.upenn.edu).
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via Direct Deposit, you do not have to activate the ALINE Card, and you can cancel a previously
activated card at any time.
For more information on both of these options, please visit the following website:
www.finance.upenn.edu/comptroller/payroll/receiving_your_pay.shtml
Further, in order to demonstrate our commitment to your work and to assist you in carrying out
your academic goals, the following arrangements are being made for you: (insert any details regarding
agreements)
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office and/or lab space
equipment
technical support
start-up funding
moving expenses
computer
As we discussed, you will be expected to participate in the educational and research programs of
the department. Your responsibilities will include (insert description).
Also enclosed are the “Guidelines for the Perelman School of Medicine Faculty Mentoring
Program.” In accordance with the Guidelines, your academic mentor will be ________________. I
encourage you to review the online guide, “Shaping a Career in Academic Medicine: Guidelines for
mentor/mentee conversations at www.med.upenn.edu/mentee.
As a full-time Assistant Professor, you will be eligible to participate in the generous benefits
package offered by the University of Pennsylvania. After your arrival, a benefits packet will be mailed to
you by the Penn Benefits Center. If you have any questions about this packet, you should contact the
Benefits Center at 1-888-736-6236. You should also arrange to meet with (insert name of department
administrator and title) who can be reached at (insert phone number).
The University retains the right to modify or rescind any portion of their fringe benefits packages
at any time. You will be eligible for benefits according to the terms of applicable plans, as they may exist
from time to time.
As a full-time University employee, you will be subject to all applicable University and Penn
Medicine Policies. These policies, which are subject to amendment, from time to time, currently include,
though are not limited to, the Principles of Responsible Conduct
(www.upenn.edu/audit/oacp_principles.htm), “Conflict of Interest” as described in Faculty Handbook
Policy II.E.10 (http://provost.upenn.edu/policies/faculty-handbook), in related policies and
procedures at http://www.med.upenn.edu/fapd and the enclosed policies and procedures concerning
patent and tangible research property
(http://www.upenn.edu/almanac/volumes/v57/n01/pdf_n01/Patentpolicy.pdf). You must read and sign
the Participation Agreement included with the Patent Policy.
You will not be authorized to enter into any outside contracts or agreement on behalf of the
University without formal University approval for which you should apply through me.
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This offer is predicated on your not having any preexisting or anticipated conflicts of interest
with respect to your proposed position at the University of Pennsylvania. If you believe you may have a
conflict of interest, please contact me to immediately discuss this matter.
(FOR FOREIGN CANDIDATES) This offer is contingent upon your authorization to work and it
is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) policies. Please contact the University’s International Student and Scholar Services
(ISSS) Office at (215-898-4661) or access http://global.upenn.edu/isss immediately so that any visa
issues may be addressed before you join us. Appointment and payroll documentation cannot be
processed until you have presented ISSS approval.
If you agree with the terms of this offer, please sign below and return the signed offer to me by
(insert date). Also return the signed Patent Policy Participation Agreement. As we discussed, assuming
the faculty appointment is approved as we expect, your appointment will commence as of (insert date).
Please respond promptly to requests for information or documentation. Failure to do so could result in
delay of your appointment and inability to participate in particular benefits programs, such as pension
and long-term disability.
All of us who have met you in the department are extremely enthusiastic about your coming to
the University of Pennsylvania and anticipate that you will have a highly successful and enjoyable career.
I personally look forward to working with you and to helping you develop your career.
Sincerely,
_______________________________
Chair of Department
I accept this offer as outlined above:
_____________________________
Date
cc:
_____________________________
Name of Candidate
Signature
Department BA
Attachments:
Mentoring Guidelines
Professional Development Teaching Requirement
Patent Policy and Participation Agreement