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Postdoc Categories

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at Northwestern University supports five different categories of postdoctoral appointments. All postdoctoral positions are full-time positions for a minimum of 12 months. Your benefits’ eligibility varies according to your postdoctoral appointment classification. Information on each type of appointment and its associated benefits is given below. Please direct further questions to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

Postdoctoral Scholar

Postdoctoral Scholars are individuals with recently granted degrees of PhD or MD, or the equivalent terminal degree, who are primarily involved in continuing postgraduate education or training in conducting research. Postdoctoral scholars are normally paid through the University payroll system and are considered employees of the University.

Benefit eligibility and provider

Vacation, holiday, and sick time

Pay standard

  • Minimum of $47,476.
  • Starting March 1, 2024, the minimum salary for new or reappointed postdoctoral scholars at Northwestern will rise to the minimum postdoctoral salary of $56,484 as set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn more about the pay update here.

Mental health and wellness benefits

Postdoctoral Fellow-NRSA

NRSA postdoctoral fellows are individuals with recently granted degrees of PhD or MD, or the equivalent terminal degree, who have received National Research Service Award (NRSA) funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This category includes both those receiving individual F32 fellowships and those receiving support from T32 institutional training grants. Per the terms of the award, NRSA postdoctoral fellows are considered postdocs, rather than employees of the NIH or the University.

Please note that your benefit eligibility and payroll tax deductions will change if you are funded by an NRSA fellowship. Your local department administrators should be your first point of contact to learn more about these changes. For more information, please contact the Human Resources Benefits Office

Benefit eligibility and provider

  • Yes, provided by Northwestern and the NIH via Gallagher Benefit Services (Blue Cross Blue Shield).
  • See the Human Resources Postdoctoral Benefit Plans page

Vacation, holiday, and sick time

  • Yes, allowed paid vacation per NRSA guidelines, 60 days maternity or family, 15 days sick.

Pay standard

  • Follow stipend levels set by the National Institutes of Health.
  • Starting March 1, 2024, the minimum salary for new or reappointed postdoctoral scholars at Northwestern will rise to the minimum postdoctoral salary of $56,484 as set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn more about the pay update here.

Mental health and wellness benefits

Postdoctoral Fellow-Direct Fellowship

Direct Postdoctoral Fellows are individuals with recently granted degrees of PhD or MD, or the equivalent terminal degree, who are primarily involved in continuing postgraduate education or training in conducting research. Direct Postdoctoral Fellows are appointed solely at Northwestern, but are paid primarily by an external grant or fellowship that is not directed through the University payroll system. Direct Postdoctoral Fellows must still make a minimum salary of at least $47,476.

Fellowships that do not meet this minimum may be "topped up" by sponsoring Northwestern PIs via institutional and/or sponsored funds as allowed by the fellowship policies. NSF fellowships may only be "topped up" by non-sponsored funds as determined by the NSF.

Benefit eligibility and provider

Vacation, holiday, and sick time

  • Varies by fellowship, please check your fellowship's policies. If leave is not specified in your fellowship's policies, defer for the institutional leave policies outlined for postdoctoral scholars above.
  • NSF fellows allowed 30 days paid leave for maternity or family leave and may take short leave over major holidays.

Pay standard

  • Follow fellowship stipends. Must make minimum salary of $47,476.
  • Starting March 1, 2024, the minimum salary for new or reappointed postdoctoral scholars at Northwestern will rise to the minimum postdoctoral salary of $56,484 as set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn more about the pay update here.
  • Northwestern PIs may top up this stipend with sponsored or non-sponsored funds, either to increase the salary or to cover health insurance costs.

Mental health and wellness benefits

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows are individuals with recently granted degrees of PhD, MD, or the equivalent professional degree. Visiting Fellows must hold a postdoctoral appointment at another institution or university. Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows are not employees of the University and are not paid by Northwestern. They must receive their funding directly from their home institution. Visiting status is only approved upon receipt of documentation of external (to Northwestern) appointment and support.

Benefit eligibility and provider

  • Benefits should be provided by the home institution or can be acquired through Gallagher Benefit Services (Blue Cross Blue Shield).
  • Domestic Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows must reach out to their health insurance provider to change insurance policies so it can be used in Illinois (from HMO to PPO for instance). This change will count as a qualifying life change.
  • International Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows can obtain insurance from Gallagher Benefit Services. More information is available on the Human Resources Postdoctoral Benefit Plans site.

Vacation, holiday, and sick time

  • Follow guidance of home institution.

Pay standard

  • Paid by home institution.

Mental health and wellness benefits

  • Benefits outlined by individual's insurance plan.

WCAS Teaching and Research Postdoctoral Fellows (Formerly Mellon Postdoctoral Fellows)

Specialized appointment in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. These are considered teaching postdoctoral fellows and can be indicated by the appointment indicator value of “Teaching Postdoc.” WCAS Postdoctoral Fellows are individuals with recently granted degrees of PhD or MD, or the equivalent terminal degree, who are primarily involved in continuing post graduate education or training in conducting research. These fellows are normally paid through the University payroll system and have research faculty appointments. They are designated as faculty because they teach, generally three courses per academic year.

Benefit eligibility and provider

Vacation, holiday, and sick time

Pay standard

  • Minimum of $47,476.
  • Starting March 1, 2024, the minimum salary for new or reappointed postdoctoral scholars at Northwestern will rise to the minimum postdoctoral salary of $56,484 as set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn more about the pay update here.

Mental health and wellness benefits