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The School of Graduate Studies is the unit of Case Western Reserve University
through which graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences, biological and physical sciences,
engineering, and selected disciplines related to professional fields are offered.

Administration of Postdoctoral Scholars and Fellows ProgramS

Employment as a postdoctoral scholar is governed by the Policies and Procedures contained in the Postdoctoral Scholar Employment Handbook, Postdoctoral Trainee Handbook and the Policies and Procedures of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the School of Graduate Studies. The University’s Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual do not apply to Postdoctoral Scholars.

• Postdoc Scholar
  
  
• Postdoc Fellow

Definition of Postdoctoral Scholar*

A postdoctoral scholar is defined as a special class of employee who:

• holds a Ph.D. or equivalent
  
• works on scholarly projects funded by grants obtained by others at the University or is funded by department funds
  
• is engaged in a mentored training relationship with a member of the University faculty, and
  
• actively pursues fellowship/grant funding for his/her own research project in order to develop his/her future professional career.**

The postdoctoral scholar is eligible to participate in a special healthcare benefit plan, but is excluded from participating in all other CWRU benefits including employee retirement and benefit plans.

*Postdoctoral scholars are not to be confused with postdoctoral fellows who are not employees of the University and receive their funding from grants they have applied for and obtained from outside sources and not faculty-sponsored research grants.

**Once such funding has been obtained, the postdoctoral scholar becomes a postdoctoral fellow and is governed by the Postdoctoral Trainee Handbook.

Criteria for Postdoctoral Scholars

1. The postdoctoral scholar was recently (normally within 5 years) awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in an appropriate field.
   
2. The appointment is temporary and postdoctoral scholars are expected to complete their mentored training within 5 years.
   
3. The time devoted to this appointment as well as the specific scholarly training activities will be decided in collaboration with the mentor and committed in writing in the form of a training plan. All postdoctoral scholars will be encouraged to pursue additional training and other opportunities in the respective areas up to 25% of their time.
4. The appointee will train under the supervision of a senior scholar (mentor).

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS EMPLOYMENT HANDBOOK

The Post Doctoral Scholars Employment Handbook contains comprehensive information, policies.
Download a pdf copy of the Handbook

 

Administration of mentored postdoctoral training Program

Postdoctoral fellows are governed by the Policies and Procedures contained in the Postdoctoral Trainee Handbook and the Policies and Procedures of the School of Graduate Studies.

POSTDOCTORAL trainee HANDBOOK

The Postdoctoral Trainee Handbook contains comprehensive information.
Download a pdf copy of the Handbook