University of Michigan Medical School
Policy on Postdoctoral Fellow Appointments

Policy Effective March 1, 2002

In recent years there has been extensive examination of the changing job market for Ph.D. scientists and the role of postdoctoral researchers in the Academy. The increased length of time postdoctoral fellows spend in non-independent academic positions led the National Institutes of Health to release a statement articulating that the "training" phase for postdoctoral fellows should last no longer than five working years beyond awarding of the Ph.D.

In keeping with the NIH guidance, postdoctoral researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School can henceforth be considered Postdoctoral Fellows or Research Fellows for a maximum of five years in the U.S. beyond awarding of a doctoral degree, not counting time taken off from research training or employment.

The official title of "Research Fellow" can be used for any postdoctoral researcher before the five-year limit, regardless of source of payment for the Fellow. The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for making sure the Research Fellow has health insurance. If the Fellow is paid directly by an outside agency, it is possible to arrange a University appointment that will allow the PI to provide University staff health insurance. To continue a University appointment beyond the five year training limit (or sooner), the Fellow must be converted to an employee with full staff benefits, including health insurance.

The following appropriate job classifications exist:

Research Professorial Track

Research Investigator - requires approval by the Assistant Dean, Faculty Affairs

Research Assistant Professor - requires APRAPT review and Executive Committee approval

Research Associate Professor - requires APRAPT review, Executive Committee approval, and endorsement by the Dean, EVPMA, Provost and President

Research Professor - requires APRAPT review, Executive Committee approval, and endorsement by the Dean, EVPMA, Provost and President

Instructional Track

These positions can be used for individuals who have part or all of their appointment as teachers, and can be used in conjunction with appointments in the Research Track.

Assistant Professor - requires ACAPT review and Executive Committee approval

Associate Professor - requires ACAPT review, Executive Committee approval, endorsement by the Dean, EVPMA, Provost and President, and Regental approval

Clinical Lecturer - requires Department Chair and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs approval, not reviewed by ACAPT. Does not start tenure clock.

Instructor - Not used in the Medical School because it starts the tenure clock, as do higher ranks.

Professor - requires ACAPT review, Executive Committee approval, endorsement by the Dean, EVPMA, Provost, and President, and Regental approval

Clinical Track

Clinical Instructor - requires approval of Assistant Dean, Faculty Affairs

Clinical Assistant Professor - requires ClinACAP review, Executive Commitee approval

Clinical Associate Professor - requires ClinACAP review, Executive Committee approval, endorsement by the Dean, EVPMA, Provost and President

Clinical Professor - requires ClinACAP review, Executive Committee approval, endorsement by the Dean, EVPMA, Provost and President

Staff Positions

There are a large number of research position descriptions that are appropriate for PhD scientists, but not faculty track.  The Human Resources department should be consulted for the best classification.

For descriptions and more detailed information on the various tracks, please visit:
U-M Medical School's page on Appointments & Promotions

NIH Statement dated March 22, 2001:
Addressing the nation's changing needs for biomedical and behavioral scientists