Research Associate and Postdoctoral Fellow Appointments
These are "employee-in-training" titles. Employees-in-training are acquiring additional training or experience in a field of specialization. Pursuant of s.36.19 Wisconsin Statutes, they hold fixed-term appointments.
Research Associate
Title CODE XO1NN
"A Research Associate is essentially the same as a postdoctoral fellow except for the source of the funding and the nature of the selection procedure. A Research Associate is usually funded from a principal investigator's grant funds or other sources rather than from fellowship funds awarded to the individual in national competition. A Research Associate appointment is normally for a finite term and is normally given to an individual who has received the Ph.D. within the last five years.
"Unless an affirmative showing can be made that the appointee's study or research is primarily for his or her own benefit and is independent or self-directed, subject only to such supervision as might be given by a teacher to a student, research appointees with the Ph.D. should be given another appropriate title."
—From the UWM Directory of Unclassified Titles and the UWS Unclassified Personnel Guideline #1 and Title Book
Postdoctoral Fellow
Title CODE XO1NN
"A postdoctoral fellowship or traineeship is an award, usually funded extramurally, to an individual for the purpose of continuing studies after receipt of the doctorate. The position is normally for a finite term, generally not to exceed two years. The primary purpose of the appointment is to enable the individual to pursue studies or research related to his or her professional development. The work done by a postdoctoral fellow or trainee 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 assigned duties under the direct supervision and control of the University, where the individual renders compensable service as does an employee. A postdoctoral fellow or trainee has normally received the Ph.D. within the last five years."
—From the UWM Directory of Unclassified Titles and the UWS Unclassified Personnel Guideline #1 and Title Book
Research Associate or Postdoctoral Fellow Sample Letter of Offer (.doc)
This letter should be used in the appointment of either a Research Associate or a Postdoctoral Fellow. Please note that an appointment in either title makes the appointee eligible for certain benefits that must be applied for with the first 30 days of the initial appointment. Salary is determined either by the terms of the grant or the awarding agency, or by the appointing unit.