Recruiting Postdocs
Starting the Process
To recruit a new postdoc, please contact your Postdoc Administrator and the Office Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) at [email protected].
Postdoc recruitment can only be done within PA7 (PeopleAdmin). No other tools should be used for postdoc job postings.
Postdoc appointments, both Postdoctoral Associates and Scholars, have limited terms. The term of their GW postdoc appointment can be no more than is limited to 5 years. If the candidate previously worked as a postdoc at other institutions, then their combined time as a postdoc (at GW and at other institutions) is limited to a term of 7 years. For example, if a candidate has spent 3 years in a postdoctoral position at another institution, then they may be appointed as a postdoc for a maximum term of 4 years (7 years less 3 years of prior experience). In extraordinary circumstances, extensions can be considered to the term limit. Requests for extensions must be submitted by the faculty mentor to [email protected].
Upon completion of the postdoc term, a postdoctoral fellow must transition into a non-postdoc position at the university or a position at another organization. We recommend faculty mentors to work with HR Business Partners for offering a staff/faculty position to the postdoc if such an opportunity exists.
If you have questions about the term limit as it pertains to postdoc appointments, please reach out to [email protected].
Titles
The possible titles for postdoctoral fellows are Postdoctoral Associate and Postdoctoral Scholar. All prior postdoc titles under the research staff category no longer exist.
Postdoc titles may include the field of research, e.g., Postdoctoral Associate, Human Paleobiology or Postdoctoral Associate NIST.
Investigators and faculty mentors who are unsure of the appropriate title for their new postdoc can email [email protected] for assistance.
Sample Appointment Descriptions
Sample descriptions (i.e. Job Standard Templates (JSTs) for postdoctoral scholar and associate appointment positions have been developed and can be used to create postings within the PeopleAdmin (PA7) system. Any questions can be sent to the Postdoc Support Team by emailing [email protected].
Download sample postdoc position descriptions (GW log in required)
Starting Compensation
Effective July 1, 2024, the minimum annualized compensation for postdocs appointed on or after July 1, 2024, is $61,008.
The minimum compensation aligns with year zero of the FY24 NIH National Research Service Awards (NRSA) scale which is a national standard. The minimum will apply across all GW departments and units, regardless of funding source. NIH updates the NRSA scale annually. GW will continue to reference it to inform starting compensation.
Compensation Guidelines (FY24)
Basic Trainee: $61,008 - $68,963.
Approval Chain: Finance Director -> Postdoc Office.
Advanced Trainee: $68, 964 ‐ $85,000.
Approval Chain: Finance Director -> ADR -> Postdoc Office.
Placement in the basic and advanced range is highly specific to the position and finalist. Justification is needed for all advanced level hires.
Acquiring a Visa
Departments should reach out to the International Services Office to initiate the visa process. Obtaining a visa takes time and patience, so please begin the process well before their appointment date. Postdoc appointments can only proceed upon successfully acquiring and providing the university with all necessary documents, including visa documents.
Budgeting for Postdocs in Sponsored Projects
A postdoc fringe rate has been established. Please refer to the current rates posted on the Office of Sponsored Projects website.
Tips for Promoting A Postdoc Posting
All GW postdoc positions appear on GW Jobs. Unlike staff and research positions that departments can request HR post on Indeed.com and Higher Ed jobs, postdoc positions once posted on GW Jobs need to be individually marketed by the PI and/or the department to post them on relevant job boards. Regardless of how the PI chooses to market the positions, all applications must be submitted through the GW Jobs posting link.
Hiring faculty and staff are encouraged to share postings with their professional networks, including relevant professional societies that may have listservs or job boards. Posting to social media, especially LinkedIn, has been a successful recruitment tactic as well.