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L&S Employee-in-Training Appointments

This knowledge base article provides guidance for the Employee-in-Training job category within the College of Letters & Science (L&S) at UW-Madison. This category includes Postdoctoral and Post-Degree Training appointments. It outlines appointment types, policies, compensation, offer/reappointment letter templates, and more.

    For questions, contact the department’s Administrative Regional Team (ART) representative or the Student+ Team at studentplus@ls.wisc.edu


    Employee-in-Training Titles

    When it comes to Postdoc and Post Degree Training appointments the salary, stipend, benefits, and specific policies vary depending on the appointment title. Each of these roles carries distinct expectations regarding funding, job responsibilities, and service to the university.

    The continuation of these appointments is contingent upon the availability of funding, the ongoing needs and priorities of the program, and compliance with all applicable institutional, state, and federal regulations.

    Appointment Overview:

    • ET positions are not student roles; individuals in these positions are not enrolled in any college or university.
    • Typical appointment duration is 2 to 3 years, with a maximum of 5 years.
    • Any ET appointment with an FTE less than 100% requires department/unit justification and approval from the L&S Student+ Team HR Manager (studentplus@ls.wisc.edu).
    • For new ET appointments departments/units must submit the person’s curriculum vitae (CV) or resume in addition to a formal offer letter.
    • ET appointments fall into two categories: service and non-service, see University policy 
      UW-5005 for guidance on selecting the appropriate category.

    Postdoc and Post Degree Training appointments fall into two categories: service and non-service, see University policy UW-5005 for guidance on selecting the appropriate category.

    Service vs. Non-Service Categories

    Service Appointments:

    work benefits the university; paid as wages.

    Non-Service Appointments:

    focused on the appointee's training; pad as stipends.

    Service Income Non-Service Income
    Benefits University Primarily Benefits Individual Primarily
    Wages/Compensation Fellowship/Scholarship Income
    Taxed through payroll No taxation through payroll
    W-2 Fellowship/Scholarship Letter
    Count towards FTE limits Does NOT count towards FTE limits
    Benefits Eligible Benefits Eligible
    Paid via Payroll Paid via Payroll

    Postdoctoral Appointments

    Postdoctoral Appointments or “Postdocs” is an employment category at UW-Madison. Postdoctoral employees are individuals who have earned a Ph.D or other terminal degree and is engaged in mentored research and/or scholarly training to develop professional skills. Most postdoctoral positions have a duration of two to three years, with a maximum of five years, and postdocs are not enrolled as students at a college or university.

    The College of Letters & Science offers three primary Postdoc appointment titles:

    1. Postdoctoral Fellow (PD003)
    2. Postdoctoral Trainee (PD004)
    3. Research Associate (PD012)

    Post Degree Training Appointments

    Post Degree Training is an employment category at UW-Madison. Post Degree Training employees are individuals who have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree, often from another institution, and come to UW-Madison for further training and research in their field of study. Individuals in these positions are not enrolled as students at a college or university. Most post degree training positions have a duration of two to three years, with a maximum of five years. 

    The College of Letters & Science offers three primary Post-Degree Training appointment titles:

    1. Graduate Intern/Trainee (PD001)
    2. Undergraduate Intern (PD002)
    3. Research Intern (PD013)



      Keywords:
      postdoc, PDT, employee-in-training, employee in training, EIT, ET, appointments, appointment, offer letter attachment, template, research associate, postdoc fellow, postdoctoral, trainee, research intern, hiring, extension, zero-dollar, esc, essential hire form, essential staffing 27491 
      Doc ID:
      27491
      Owned by:
      Shanae D. in L&S KB
      Created:
      2012-11-28
      Updated:
      2025-07-10
      Sites:
      L&S KB