Introduction to the New RPM 2.28 Postdoctoral Fellow

Policy

Presented by:Madelyn Bello

HR Policies AnalystFebruary 2009

02/02/2009

Version: 12

Agenda

• Discuss impact of new policy to current practices.• A brief historical perspective of how and why we got

here.• Review of Postdoc procedures and forms• Next steps to making the policy come A.L.I.V.E!

02/02/2009

Version: 13

But first a Quiz….

What is a “Postdoc”?A. A temporary research position held by a person who has

completed his or her doctoral studies

B. A person who was recently awarded a doctoral degree

C. A person who is in the early stages of their scientific career

D. Both A and C

E. All of the above

F. None of the above

02/02/2009

Version: 14

Next Quiz Question

The word “Visiting Postdoc” is a A. Job Title

B. Benefit Category

C. Employee Classification

D. A and C

E. None of the above

02/02/2009

Version: 15

Next Quiz Question

The word “Postdoc” is a A. Job Title

B. Benefit Category

C. Employee Classification

D. It means the same as “Visiting Postdoc”

E. Both A and C

F. None of the above

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Version: 16

Next Quiz Question

How many employee classifications do we have for postdocs?A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. 3

E. 4

F. 5

G. 6

H. 7

02/02/2009

Version: 17

Policy

Practice Current NewEmployee Job Titles

No Change

1. Postdoctoral Fellow

2. Special Postdoctoral Fellow

3. Interim Postdoctoral Fellow

1. Postdoctoral Fellow

2. Special Postdoctoral Fellow

3. Interim Postdoctoral Fellow

Guest Job Titles

No Change

1. Guest Postdoctoral Fellow

2. Guest Postdoctoral Fellow – Stipend

3. Guest Postdoctoral Fellow – Paid Direct

1. Guest Postdoctoral Fellow

2. Guest Postdoctoral Fellow – Stipend

3. Guest Postdoctoral Fellow – Paid Direct

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By the way, what are the differences among all these appointments?

A Postdoctoral Fellow appointment is A. Fully funded by Laboratory funds

B. Fully funded by an external agency who reimburses the Laboratory for the cost of the postdoc’s appointment

C. Partially funded by an external agency and the Laboratory augments the fellowship funding with additional work and compensation

D. Either A or B

E. All of the above

F. None of the above

02/02/2009

Version: 19

By the way, what are the differences among all these appointments?

A Special Postdoctoral Fellow appointment is A. Fully funded by Laboratory funds

B. Fully funded by an external agency who reimburses the Laboratory for the cost of the special postdoc’s appointment

C. Partially funded by an external agency and the Laboratory augments the fellowship funding with additional work and compensation

D. Either A or B

E. All of the above

F. None of the above

02/02/2009

Version: 110

By the way, what are the differences among all these appointments?

A Interim Postdoctoral Fellow appointment is A. For the time period between finishing doctoral degree

requirements and beginning their postdoctoral work at the Laboratory.

B. For the time period between finishing doctoral degree requirements as a Laboratory Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) and beginning their postdoctoral work elsewhere.

C. For the time period between finishing undergraduate degree requirements and beginning their graduate degree work at the Laboratory.

D. Both A and CE. All of the aboveF. None of the above

02/02/2009

Version: 111

By the way, what are the differences among all these appointments?

A Guest Postdoctoral Fellow appointment is A. For the Postdoctoral Fellow who has been awarded or

appointed to a fellowship for postdoctoral study by an external agency and the fellowship is paid through a Laboratory non-payroll account.

B. For the Postdoctoral Fellow who has been awarded a fellowship for postdoctoral study by an external agency and the agency pays the fellowship directly to the postdoctoral fellow rather than through the Laboratory.

C. For the Postdoctoral Fellow with an appointment at another institution and is participating in a scientific collaboration or experiments at a Laboratory user facility.

D. All of the aboveE. None of the above

02/02/2009

Version: 112

By the way, what are the differences among all these appointments?

A Guest Postdoctoral Fellow - Stipend appointment is A. For the Postdoctoral Fellow who has been awarded or

appointed to a fellowship for postdoctoral study by an external agency and the fellowship is paid through a Laboratory non-payroll account.

B. For the Postdoctoral Fellow who has been awarded a fellowship for postdoctoral study by an external agency and the agency pays the fellowship directly to the postdoctoral fellow rather than through the Laboratory.

C. For the Postdoctoral Fellow with an appointment at another institution and is participating in a scientific collaboration or experiments at a Laboratory user facility.

D. All of the aboveE. None of the above

02/02/2009

Version: 113

By the way, what are the differences among all these appointments?A Guest Postdoctoral Fellow – Paid Direct appointment is

A. For the Postdoctoral Fellow who has been awarded or appointed to a fellowship for postdoctoral study by an external agency and the fellowship is paid through a Laboratory non-payroll account.

B. For the Postdoctoral Fellow who has been awarded a fellowship for postdoctoral study by an external agency and the agency pays the fellowship directly to the postdoctoral fellow rather than through the Laboratory.

C. For the Postdoctoral Fellow with an appointment at another institution and is participating in a scientific collaboration or experiments at a Laboratory user facility.

D. All of the above

E. None of the above

02/02/2009

Version: 114

Back to Policy

Practice Current NewRecruitment Required; minimum

of 2 week postingEncouraged but not required

Length of initial appointment

No Change

1 – 2 (sometimes 3) years

1 – 2 (sometimes 3) years

Length of total appointment as a postdoc (except interim postdocs)

5 years as an LBNL postdoc

5 years as a postdoc at any institution

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Policy

Practice Current NewMaximum length of appointment as an Interim Postdoc

No Change

6 months (no break in service from GSRA to Postdoc)

6 months (no break in service from GSRA to Postdoc)

Appointment Percentage

Clarification

Full-time (100%) Full-time (100%) or

Full-time (100%) for all UC appointments combined

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Version: 116

Policy

Practice Current NewPostdoc Employee Classifications

1. Visiting Postdoc

2. Postdoc

1. Visiting PostdocWe will phase out

“Postdoc”; no new hires or status change into

“Postdoc”

Coaching and Mentoring / Annual Reviews

Recommended for postdoc and supervisor to conduct an annual oral review; written summary will be provided on request

Divisions may be stricter

02/02/2009

Version: 117

Policy

Practice Current NewPromotion to Scientist position

No Change

No promotion allowed.

No waiver of recruitment allowed.

Must compete for an open position.

No promotion allowed.

No waiver of recruitment allowed.

Must compete for an open position.

Expiration of Appointment

Clarification

Ends automatically on the current appointment end date

Ends automatically at the end of 3 years from initial appointment or on the current appointment end date

02/02/2009

Version: 118

Policy

Practice Current NewRationale for Termination of Appointment

No Change

Disciplinary reasons; substandard performance; lack of funds; lack of work; changes in operational/business needs

Disciplinary reasons; substandard performance; lack of funds; lack of work; changes in operational/business needs

Notice of Early Termination

No Change

90 days 90 days

02/02/2009

Version: 119

More Quiz Questions

• True or False: Time spent in postdoctoral fellow appoints is counted toward the 5 year maximum for career-track and project scientist positions.

• True or False: The postdoc fellow is a career-track position.

• True or False: Postdocs may be promoted to a scientist position.

02/02/2009

Version: 120

A brief historical perspective

• A Postdoc Advisory Committee appointed by the Laboratory Deputy Director, Pier Oddone.

• The Committee was charged to Provide recommendations to Laboratory Senior Management for appropriate modifications of LBNL postdoctoral appointment policies and procedures in view of policy changes announced in 2003 by the University of California.

02/02/2009

Version: 121

Procedures and Forms

• Postdoctoral Fellow Appointment Guidelines• Postdoctoral Fellow Information Sheet (optional)• Postdoctoral Fellow Request to Post/Hire

Authorization form (optional)• New Hire Fact Sheet (optional)• Offer Letter – Interim Postdoc• Offer Letter – Postdoc Fellow• Offer Letter – Special Postdoc• Request for Exception memo • Visiting Postdoc Fellow Hire Package

02/02/2009

Version: 122

Process Changes (when policy becomes A.L.I.VE.)

• No more hires into Postdoc employee class– NOTE: as current practice, we should not be hiring any

Postdocs into the Postdoc employee class

• No more transfers into Postdoc employee class• New hire Postdoc employees as of the effective date

of the policy falls under the 5 year (inclusive of all institutions) limit

• Usage of new / revised forms and templates

02/02/2009

Version: 123

More Quiz Questions

• Did we change Postdoc Benefit Plans?– Yes– No

• What did we change about Postdoc Benefits?A. Eliminated Postdoc Benefit Plans

B. Stopped moving Postdocs into “Postdoc” Employee Class

C. No change

D. Both A and B

E. None of the above

02/02/2009

Version: 124

Next Steps

• Complete the employee 30-day comment period• Revise policy (if necessary)• Policy L.I.V.E.S!