Policies & Benefits

Definitions

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: A Postdoctoral Research Fellow is a researcher holding a doctoral degree (or equivalent) who conducts research supported by an individual fellowship award (ex. National Institutes of Health National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellowship) or institutional training grant (ex. NIH/NSF Training Grant). Research Fellows receive a stipend as a condition of the award/grant. They do not receive payment for services performed and are not considered employees of the University. Postdoctoral Research Fellows and Trainees are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Postdoctoral Research Associate: A Postdoctoral Research Associate is a researcher holding a doctoral degree (or equivalent) whose appointment is associated either with an individual research grant awarded to a UConn faculty member or other University employee as the principal investigator from an external sponsor or with departmental/school resources that is paid by the University. The individual is an employee of the University and is compensated for services performed. The terms and conditions of Postdoctoral Research Associate appointments, including compensation, time off, and other benefits, are covered by a collective bargaining agreement available here: https://hr.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1421/2024/04/Collective-Bargaining-Agreement-7.1.2024-6.30.2027.pdf. Additional information about paid time off benefits for Postdoctoral Research Associates is available on the Human Resources website: https://hr.uconn.edu/paid-time-off-benefits/. Additional questions about benefits for Postdoctoral Research Associates may be directed to hr@uconn.edu.

Compensation of Postdoctoral Appointees

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships: Stipends associated with Postdoctoral Research Fellowships are governed by the conditions of the individual award/grant. Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (including traineeships) are often prestigious and highly sought after awards to the individual and institution.  However, the monetary value of postdoctoral fellowships that do not meet the minimum stipend levels established by the NIH NRSA program should be carefully discussed with the individual’s mentor/principal investigator, The Graduate School, and Sponsored Program Services prior to application to discuss the feasibility of meeting gaps in funding commensurate with standard living expenses.

Postdoctoral Research Associates: Compensation associated with initial appointment of a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate must equal or exceed the amount associated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Research Service Award (NRSA) zero year level of experience stipend amount. Compensation associated with reappointment of a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate is governed by Article 23 of the Postdoc collective bargaining agreement. Questions concerning compensation or other terms of appointments or reappointments should be directed to Kristen Brierley in Labor Relations: kristen.brierley@uconn.edu.