The Vanderbilt Postdoc Handbook is a resource for incoming and current postdocs as well as faculty and staff that work with the postdoc population. The handbook lists information regarding moving to Nashville, onboarding, campus resources, and institutional policies.
All postdocs are expected to read and abide by organizational policies (VU or VUMC as determined by the postdoc’s classification) on the appropriate human resources website:
Questions about benefits should be directed to either the VU or VUMC human resources postdoc representative:
A postdoctoral appointment is a full-time position. Activities are determined by the department/program. Requests to reduce from 100% FTE must be approved by the faculty advisor, dean of the school/college, and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. Reduction of effort could impact benefits eligibility.
| Institution | Title | Code | Funding Source | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Postdoc Scholar, Research | 9145 | Salary | Eligible for VU staff benefits, administered through VU HR |
| Vanderbilt University | Postdoc Scholar, Trainee | 9146 | Stipend | Benefits administered through AHP/ Not eligible for other VU benefits |
| Vanderbilt University | Postdoc Associate, Visiting | 9136 | Home institution country, or organization | Benefits administered through sponsoring home institution, country, or organization |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Research Fellow | 9132 | Salary | Eligible for VUMC Staff benefits, administered through VUMC HR |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Research Fellow Trainee | 9134 | Stipend | Benefits administered through Gallagher / not eligible for other VUMC benefits |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Visiting Research Fellow | 9136 | Home institution country, or organization | Benefits administered through sponsoring home institution, country, or organization |
For any questions on postdoc classifications, please reach out to opa@vanderbilt.edu.
Eligibility for benefits is determined by postdoctoral classification as summarized below. A listing of postdoctoral classifications can be found in the table above.
Postdoctoral policies differ from the HR policies at VU or VUMC.
Refer to the information below for policy details regarding Paid Leave, Holidays, FMLA, Parental Leave, and Unpaid Leave. Select the appropriate section based on your status (funding source and institution) to find your specific leave policies.
Please see the tables for a quick guide, or read the full policies below.
Please email OPA@vanderbilt.edu with any questions regarding leave and time off policies.
If you are applying directly to an external funding agency for a fellowship or other research funding while a postdoc at Vanderbilt, please review the guidelines for postdocs submitting grants, then tell us about the application you are submitting by completing Fellowship/Grant Submission form.
We appreciate your assistance in helping us track fellowship/grant applications and aid in our data collection and outcomes reporting.
Please submit the Fellowship/Grant Submission Form before the application is submitted to the funding agency.
Vanderbilt University is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. Persons with disabilities who have requests for reasonable accommodations should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity and Access.
If a postdoc believes that they have been discriminated against, harassed, or retaliated against on the basis of a protected class status as defined in the VU or VUMC nondiscrimination policies, such concerns should be directed to Vanderbilt University’s Office for Equal Opportunity and Access (VU employed/paid postdocs) or to VUMC HR (VUMC employed/paid postdocs).
If a postdoc has a concern or complaint regarding their postdoctoral experience, they should bring the concern to the attention of their faculty mentor, unless such an interaction would give rise to a possible concern related to safety, discrimination, or retaliation. If further discussion is needed and/or no resolution is achieved, the postdoc should meet with the home department chair and bring a written statement of the problem or concern. If the problem is still unresolved, the postdoc should contact the dean of the postdoctoral scholar’s home department. If the problem still continues to be unresolved, the concern will be elevated to the Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, who would make a final decision in consultation with the appropriate University offices.
Please email OPA@vanderbilt.edu if you have any questions.
A postdoctoral appointment is at-will and may be terminated or ended at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. A postdoctoral appointment may be terminated or ended for a variety of reasons including:
All postdocs are expected to adhere to relevant Vanderbilt policies (and VUMC policies if VUMC employed/paid).
Postdocs should provide a one-month working notice prior to resignation per relevant Vanderbilt and VUMC policies.
Postdoc PTO/leave time is not paid out if unused.
For postdoc grievance policies, please review the Concerns and Complaints information in the above section.
Please email OPA@vanderbilt.edu if you have any questions.