Policy Number: 122
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT
This policy defines postdoctoral research fellows at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (“university”) and delineates responsibilities of postdoctoral research fellows and faculty mentors/supervisors.
II. DEFINITIONS
A postdoctoral research fellow (“PRF”) is an individual who holds a Ph.D., M.D., other terminal doctorate, or equivalent degree and who is selected to receive advanced research training under the guidance of a mentor holding a primary faculty appointment at the university. Postdoctoral research fellowship positions are temporary, usually for a duration of six years or less.
PRFs are not observers or volunteers (see HOOP Policy 125 Observers and HOOP Policy 159 Volunteers).
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs provides information and resources for PRFs.
III. PROCEDURE
A. Appointment
PRFs are appointed within a department, division, school, or other administrative unit (administrative unit). PRF positions are temporary, with a duration of not more than six years. In rare circumstances, an exception may be granted by the university through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) to allow a PRF to extend his or her training beyond six years. The appointment of a PRF must be processed through OPA.
B. Responsibilities of the Faculty Mentor
- Faculty members serving as mentors/supervisors of PRFs (“faculty mentors”) are responsible for providing an environment in which advanced training in a research specialty can be conducted and for providing guidance in the professional development of the PRF. The faculty mentor is also responsible for work assignments and performance evaluations of the PRF.
- The faculty mentor is responsible for the direction of research in the laboratory and any other training environment. The faculty mentor will make final decisions regarding research projects, experimental approaches, publications and authorship. These decisions will be made in consultation with the PRF.
- The faculty mentor is responsible for providing an annual review of the PRF’s training progress and direction.
C. Responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow
PRFs are responsible for the ethical and conscientious conduct of their research. This includes, but is not limited to, the maintenance of adequate research records and compliance with university policies and procedures.
IV. CONTACTS
| Contact | Telephone | Email/Web Address |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Postdoctoral Affairs | 713-500-6612 | |
| Office of Academic and Research Affairs | 713-500-3062 | |
| Human Resources - Employee Relations | 713-500-3130 | http://hr.uth.tmc.edu/Employee_Relations/employee_relations_staff.html |