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.
Please note: Northwestern University does not allow part-time postdocs unless part-time status is part of a formal accommodation.
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.
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.
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 $61,008.
- Update June 2025: Consistent with the June 10 University community message that states there are no merit increases, the postdoc minimum salary remains at $61,008 at this time. Starting April 26, 2024, the minimum salary for new or reappointed postdoctoral scholars at Northwestern will rise to the minimum postdoctoral salary of $61,008 as set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn more about the pay update here.
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.
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.