PSU Human Resources

Postdoc Resources

Building the best possible team is critical to advancing a research program. In some cases, prospective postdocs may contact you directly to inquire about positions. In other cases, to attract the best and most qualified candidates, you may have to actively recruit through personal and professional networks.

Hiring a postdoc does require a search process. Direct appointments are possible if a specific candidate is named in the funding proposal. For those projects that require highly specialized skills, a search waiver can be completed and submitted for consideration to the office of Global Diversity and Inclusion. 

Postdocs must have a doctoral or equivalent terminal degree and be employed for a defined duration (typically three years or less) while being supervised and mentored by a PSU faculty member. Oregon statutes establish program requirements for postdoctoral scholars in ORS 350.370.

For information about hiring a postdoc who may need visa sponsorship (non-US citizens or permanent residents), please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at jscholar@pdx.edu.

Funding Opportunities for Postdoctoral Scholars

Compensation & Benefits for Postdoctoral Scholars

Postdoctoral scholars are trainees, and as such, are required to have PSU faculty mentors and professional development programming. Postdoc positions at PSU are also unranked and unrepresented. As employees, postdocs are eligible for most PSU employee benefits.

Compensation Guidelines

PSU follows the National Institutes of Health established postdoc compensation rates.

Health Benefits

Postdocs working at least half-time are eligible for health benefits.

Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave

Postdocs are eligible for a variety of paid and unpaid time off options.

Student Load Deferment

Postdocs may be eligible for education-related deferment, depending on a number of variables. Postdocs must bring the completed form to the Human Resources office to request a deferment. A staff member will verify postdoc status, sign the form, and send the completed and signed form to the loan agency.

Reduced Tuition for State Schools

PSU employees or their qualified family members are eligible to access reduced cost tuition at PSU or other participating colleges and universities in the state university system.

Retirement Benefits

Postdocs are not eligible for PERS benefits. However, you are eligible to participate in a 403b plan. If you meet eligibility (six months and 600 hours) PSU will match up to a 4% voluntary contribution towards 403b.

Mentoring Postdcotoral Scholars

As negotiated by AAUP, all postdoc mentors will be required to attend a mentor training program offered by Research & Graduate Studies. Mentor training events will be held at least once annually and more frequently as needed.

Postdocs are trainees and employees, and thus hiring a postdoc requires a commitment to mentoring and training. Expectations include:

  • A commitment to advancing the career of the postdoc. This involves regular and thoughtful discussions of the strengths and limitations of ongoing research as well as attention to the development of skills and experiences that will advance the individual's career. This might include helping the scholar learn to write successful grant proposals and research papers and to develop mentorship skills as well as opportunities to develop teaching skills.
  • A commitment to a collaborative process of identifying clear and achievable research goals for the postdoc.
  • Provision of the resources necessary to conduct the agreed upon activities.
  • Recognition and acknowledgment of achievements of the postdoc within the broader scientific community. Commonly this will include sponsoring the postdoc to present research findings as the first author at professional meetings and introducing him/her to your professional peer network.

The success of our postdoctoral scholars depends on the mentorship and stewardship of our faculty mentors. The mentor is responsible for developing, in concert with the postdoc, a plan of research and the goals, objectives, and expectations of the training program.

An essential tool to help you achieve supervisory responsibilities is the Individual Development Plan (IDP). The postdoc and mentor should collaborate to complete an IDP within three months of the postdoc's hire date.

After it is signed by both the mentor and postdoc, the IDP must be submitted to the Office of Research & Graduate Studies for review by the VP or AVP for RGS. IDPs should be submitted via email to: research@pdx.edu.

Mentors should provide postdocs with professional development experiences, some of which are available through PSU and its partnering institutions. Visit Research & Graduate Studies’ Postdoctoral Scholars page for more postdoc resources, including professional development and funding opportunities. 

Individual Development Plan

The Individual Development Plan (IDP) is intended to help postdocs leverage their mentored training into a successful career path. An IDP is a tool, created by the postdoc in collaboration with their mentor, to map and meet individual career goals. It is a list of goals and objectives set to a specific timeline. The goals include those related to the postdoc's research, training, skills development, and career planning. Postdocs will work with their faculty mentor to establish a plan with realistic goals, articulated strategies and a timeline for achieving articulated goals.

The IDP is meant to facilitate the postdoc's professional growth and:

  • Initiate discussion between mentor and mentee, clarifying expectations
  • Focus individualized needs and goals as defined by the participant
  • Clarify short- and long-term goals often required by funding agencies and the activities required to meet them.

IDPs are required of postdocs and must be submitted within three months of appointment date. Submit to the Office of Research & Graduate Studies: research@pdx.edu.

Guidelines for completing an Individual Development Plan about this content