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L&S Post Degree Training
This document contains links to appointment letter templates for the post degree training category.
Post degree training employees are individuals who is not a matriculated student and who is appointed primarily for the pursuit of advanced study or research, usually at the postdoctoral level. Coincidental benefit accruing to the University or granting agency as a result of the appointee's activities does not preclude such an appointment. The work of individuals appointed to these titles should be independent or self-directed, subject only to such supervision as might be given by a teacher to a student. Such work should be contrasted with duties assigned under the direct supervision and control of the employer primarily for the benefit of the University or granting agency.
Prior approval for all post degree training appointments is required.
A draft offer letter and CV should be sent to your HR Business Partner for review and approval.
The Job Aid should be completed for all non-service appointments.
Funds on 101, 104, 131, 402 require the submission of an Essential Hire Form.
*NEW* Beginning Fall 2022, some Postdoctoral Fellow/Trainee appointments may result in an overpayment that needs to be adjusted. If an overpayment needs to be made, please send a completed Fellow/Trainee Adjustments Calculator to your HR Business Partner.
Research Associate is an individual who is continuing training after receipt of the doctorate. The department must verify that all requirements for the doctorate (possibly M.D., D.V.M., or J.D.) have been satisfactorily completed before the first day of any appointment using this title. For example, the successful completion of an oral defense of a Ph.D. is not sufficient. The actual filing of the final thesis is required prior to the beginning date of the appointment. A research associateship is normally for a two- or three-year term, up to a maximum of five years.
Zero-dollar Research Associate appointments (non-salaried) are used when the individual is training to further support their studies, for their own benefit. The individual will have official University status and can use the libraries and other University facilities. Appointments are for one year and may be renewed yearly - possibly two or three years.
Research Intern is an individual typically continuing training directly following receipt of a bachelor's or master's degree. The responsibilities of the position should be consistent with the last degree received (i.e. degree in History is not appropriate for an individual developing research methodology in Chemistry). The duration of the appointment should not exceed three years. These individuals have been engaged in an area of research, service, or the like, and are pursuing additional training in their areas of expertise or a related field.Zero-dollar Research Intern appointments (non-salaried) are used when the individual is training to further support their studies, for their own benefit. The individual will have official University status and can use the libraries and other University facilities. Appointments are for one year and may be renewed yearly - possibly two or three years.
Non-Service Related Appointments
Postdoctoral Fellow or Traineeship is an award, usually funded extramurally, to an individual for the purpose of continued training after receipt of the doctorate. The appointing unit must verify that all requirements for the doctorate (possibly M.D., D.V.M., or J.D. for special fellowships) have been satisfactorily completed before the first day of any appointment using these titles. For example, the successful completion of an oral defense of a Ph.D. is not sufficient. The actual filing of the final thesis is required prior to the beginning date of the appointment. A person eligible for a postdoctoral fellowship or traineeship is usually within five years of having received the doctorate. Most of these awards are for two-year terms.
Appointments as postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral trainees should be made only if it can be demonstrated that the appointee's activities are primarily for the benefit of the appointee's own learning and research. Otherwise, it is more appropriate to use an employment title such as researcher or scientist. Employment titles apply whenever the duties assigned are under the direct supervision and control of the employer and are primarily for the benefit of the University or granting agency. The work of individuals appointed as postdoctoral fellows or postdoctoral trainees should be independent or self-directed, subject only to such supervision as might be given by a teacher to a student.
Offer Letter Attachments:
Related Documents:
Job Aid for non-service appointments: https://www.ohr.wisc.edu/docs/nonservice-job-aid.pdf
Post degree training FAQ: Research Associate Appointments and Postdoctoral Fellow/Trainees FAQ
Post degree training titles: https://hr.wisc.edu/standard-job-descriptions/?job_group=Post+Degree+Training
Postdoc Absence with Pay & Legal Holiday policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-5088
For non-exempt appointments, please use the Salary Conversion Calculator.
For questions on post degree training appointments please contact your HR Business Partner.
Last updated 12.2.2022