Categories and Benefits
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs has defined five types of postdoctoral appointments at Northwestern University. All postdoctoral trainee positions are full-time positions for a minimum of 12 months, unless otherwise noted. Information about each appointment category and associated benefits and codes is given below. Please direct further questions to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Postdoctoral Scholar (Trainee)
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 (Trainee)
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 trainees, rather than employees of the NIH or of the University.
Please note that benefit eligibility and payroll tax deductions will change for postdocs funded by an NRSA fellowship. For more information, please contact the Benefits Office in Human Resources.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Direct Fellowship (Trainee)
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.
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.
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.” 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.