Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship

About

The University of Pennsylvania Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship is a prestigious program aimed at providing opportunities for postdoctoral research to all disciplines within the university’s academic community. Designed to support early-career postdoctoral scholars interested in faculty and research careers, this program strengthens the career pathway in higher education through teaching, research, and service. It cultivates a pool of exceptional candidates for future careers in either academia or industry. Recipients receive research fellowships, faculty mentoring, travel and research funding, and academic networking opportunities within their respective schools, fostering their professional development and research independence.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the fellowship program mandates that candidates possess US citizenship, permanent residency, or DACA recipient status. Additionally, prospective applicants must fulfill specific educational criteria: graduate students from the University of Pennsylvania or other academic institutions are eligible if they have either completed their Ph.D. requirements or anticipate fulfilling them by the fellowship’s commencement. Postdoctoral scholars from external institutions qualify if they have obtained their doctoral degree within the preceding two years. Professional applicants, encompassing those with degrees such as M.D., D.M.D., V.M.D., or J.D., are eligible within one year of concluding their post-degree professional training.

Individuals currently holding positions as postdocs, residents, or fellows at the University of Pennsylvania or the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) are ineligible for participation in this program. Individuals currently in a faculty position at any institution of higher education and international applicants are ineligible to apply.

Appointments

Consistent with the University’s postdoctoral trainee policy, appointments are for one year. Renewals to the second and third year of the program are made annually and will be based on satisfactory performance and mutual agreement between the fellow and the postdoc’s primary mentor. Annual reports on the postdoc’s progress are required.

Awards

The current 2025-2026 stipend rate begins at $67,000 in year one, with $2,000 increases in years two & three. Additionally, the fellow will receive annual allowances for research and travel-related expenses of $7,000. The University and CHOP also provide a benefits package to their respective fellows. Successful candidates will receive highly mentored scholarly and research training and have access to courses and workshops provided by partners on campus to enhance their research skills and prepare them for faculty positions in a major university.

The program is designed to provide postdocs with time to focus on research and publishing activities that will enhance their career prospects for either a faculty appointment in an academic institution or an appointment in other sectors of the economy, such as industry, government, or nonprofit organizations. Start dates will be arranged in consultation with the faculty mentor and will begin as early as July 2025.

Application Procedure

The Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program is open to all areas of study at Penn. Individuals interested in the program should review the application requirements below:

1. Online application form, which includes:
   • A curriculum vitae, including publications, education, and teaching history (if applicable), awards, honors, public service, and current and pending funding, if any.
   • A dissertation abstract. The abstract should concisely summarize your dissertation, including the research question, methodology, key findings, and significance of the work. Applicants without a dissertation abstract should refer to the Penn Dissertation Formatting Guide.
   • A personal statement, no longer than three pages, single-spaced with one-inch margins. For SNF Paideia–Provost Fellowship applicants, please see the additional requirements outlined below. For Provost Postdoctoral Fellow applicants, please address all the following elements in this order:
     • Review your previous research accomplishments.
     • Outline your proposed research plan and future research goals, emphasizing how your background and experiences will contribute to your field of study.
     • Describe your commitment to pursuing an academic or research-focused career, highlighting how your educational, research, and firsthand experiences will contribute to your discipline and the university overall.
     • Citations, if included, do not count toward the three-page limit; however, applicants are asked to keep references concise (ideally one page or less).

2. Three letters of reference are required from individuals familiar with your academic and research work.
   • One letter must be from your thesis advisor, addressing your academic development and preparation for postdoctoral training.
   • One letter must be from a Penn or CHOP faculty member with compatible research interests who has agreed to serve as your mentor. This submission must be a single, three-page document: a two-page recommendation followed by a one-page mentorship plan.
   • The third letter may come from any individual familiar with your academic or research work.

SNF Paideia–Provost Fellowship Opportunity

For the 2026–2027 cycle, one Penn-based Provost Postdoctoral Fellowship will be co-sponsored by the SNF Paideia Program at the University of Pennsylvania. The SNF Paideia Program creates and supports opportunities for the Penn community to learn about dialogue, from dialogue, and how to dialogue—toward a goal of individual and societal wellness. Encompassing a wide range of practices, SNF Paideia’s dialogue work emphasizes intentionality, curiosity, humility, and community as its core values. Through SNF Paideia-designated courses, a Fellows program, co-curricular initiatives, and public events, the program contributes to the diverse dialogue landscape of Penn.

The SNF Paideia–Provost Fellow will receive significant protected time to advance their own research while also contributing to the SNF Paideia community. The selected fellow will be expected to:

• Teach one SNF Paideia-designated undergraduate course aligned with their academic expertise
• Contribute to advising or community-building efforts for the undergraduate SNF Paideia Fellows Program
• Support co-curricular programming—such as dialogue-centered events—that align with the fellow’s research and SNF Paideia’s mission
• Be mentored by Dr. Sigal Ben-Porath, MRMJJ Presidential Professor of Education and Faculty Director of the SNF Paideia Program
• Report administratively to Dr. Leah Seppanen Anderson, Executive Director of the SNF Paideia Program

This opportunity is only open to applicants applying to the Penn program. Applicants applying to CHOP are not eligible.

Instructions for Applicants Interested in the SNF Paideia–Provost Fellowship

Applicants must follow the same application process as all other fellowship candidates, but with the following additional steps:

• Eligibility: All eligibility requirements for the Provost Postdoctoral Fellowship apply to this opportunity.
• Application Procedure: Follow the general application requirements listed above. However, if you wish to be considered for the SNF Paideia–Provost Fellowship, your application must also reflect the following:
  • Track Selection: Applicants may apply to either the SNF Paideia–Provost Fellowship or the Provost Postdoctoral Fellowship—but not both. Applicants will be considered for only one track based on their response in the application form
  • Personal Statement: Applicants must submit a personal statement that includes all required elements for the general fellowship: a review of prior research, a proposed research plan and future goals, and a statement of commitment to an academic or research-focused career. In addition, the statement must describe how the applicant’s research, teaching interests, or experiences align with the mission and values of the SNF Paideia Program, particularly its emphasis on dialogue, civic engagement, community-building, and well-being. The statement must not exceed three pages (single-spaced with one-inch margins). Citations, if included, do not count toward the page limit, though applicants are encouraged to keep references concise.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and may submit an optional third letter. This third letter should come from someone who can speak to the applicant’s scholarly and personal strengths, the relevance of their research to the SNF Paideia Program’s mission, and their potential to foster intentional, inclusive, and community-centered dialogue. Recommenders are encouraged to reflect on how the applicant is prepared to teach a dialogue-based undergraduate course, support undergraduate fellows, and contribute to co-curricular initiatives that promote civic engagement and individual and societal well-being. Applicants should not contact Dr. Sigal Ben-Porath for a letter; she will serve as the mentor for the selected fellow and is not part of the initial recommendation process.
• Faculty Mentor: You do not need to identify a separate Penn faculty mentor. Please list Dr. Sigal Ben-Porath as your proposed mentor in the application form.
• Selection Process: Applications will undergo an internal review by SNF Paideia leadership in collaboration with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. Finalists will be contacted for a Zoom interview to assess alignment with the program’s mission and expectations.

Roles and Responsibilities

The University of Pennsylvania acknowledges that postdoctoral fellows are trainees operating in an apprenticeship mode as they prepare for future roles in industry or academia. The mentorship offered by faculty mentors plays a pivotal role in this preparation. Postdoctoral fellows are typically expected to function responsibly and independently. Independent thinking and action are essential elements for cultivating successful research careers.

Responsibilities of postdoctoral fellows include the following:

• Reside in the Philadelphia area unless their research program has global implications. Any remote work arrangement needs review and approval by the university, school, and faculty mentor.
• Participate in the intellectual life of the department, school, and university by attending and engaging in department meetings, seminars, colloquia, conferences, etc.
• Focus primarily on research endeavors leading to publications or other significant contributions, such as patents.
• Identify and pursue training and professional development activities.
• Schedule regular meetings with mentors to review and document research and professional achievements.
• Collaborate with faculty mentors to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) upon arrival, outlining both short-term and long-term research goals.
• Utilize the provided templates for IDPs tailored to life or biomedical sciences, social sciences, and humanities for guidance.
• Annually submit a copy of the IDP to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research.
• Participate in scheduled professional and social programming with Provost Postdoctoral Fellows across campus.
• Offer programmatic feedback upon request, such as through surveys, to ensure continued engagement and success in the postdoctoral fellowship program at Penn.
• Adhere to the obligations and expectations as outlined in the university’s policy for postdoctoral appointments.

Responsibilities of faculty mentors include the following:

• Prior to writing a letter of support, the proposed mentor should meet or engage with the applicant to determine compatible research, scholarly, or creative work interests with the applicant and agree to serve as a mentor.
• Provide a recommendation letter for the application. The letter in the applicant’s submission should provide details on the research project, research goals, and plans for mentoring.
• In consultation with the postdoctoral fellow, develop an Individual Mentorship Plan (IDP) shortly after their arrival on campus. This includes defined expectations for scholarly work to be completed.
• Provide a mutually agreed-upon timeline for implementing the fellow’s proposed goals or plan.
• Schedule annual meetings to review IDP and review fellows’ accomplishments.
• Submit annual reports on the postdoc’s progress to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research by the postdoc’s renewal date.
• Respect the postdoctoral fellow’s individuality, working style, and career goals, and be aware that the rate of progress of PDTs will vary.
• Provide support and guidance in the fellow’s work while allowing a high degree of autonomy to cultivate research independence.
• Maintain an atmosphere in which the postdoctoral fellow feels comfortable approaching you for advice or discussion of differences.
• Establish clear plans for how projects will be divided when fellows complete their training.
• Serve as a bridge to assist the postdoctoral fellow in establishing a visible, active presence in the department, school, and with colleagues.
• Meet regularly (for example, once a month) to establish and foster a career development plan and to assess important aspects of the postdoctoral trainee’s progress.
• Encourage the postdoctoral fellow to attend orientations, training, and professional development activities. Facilitate professional development opportunities when available.
• Assist the postdoctoral fellow in networking with mentors from variegated backgrounds and disciplines, thereby facilitating a comprehensive and multifaceted experience.
• Serve as a professional resource, advise them about the job market, and help facilitate connections.
• Promote ethical standards for conducting research, including compliance with all institutional and federal regulations.
• Accord full recognition of the postdoctoral fellow’s contributions to scholarship, including appropriate authorship of published work.
• Support the postdoctoral fellow’s use of the full benefits available to them, including personal time off.

Applicants may send mentors to this direct page with instructions.

Responsibilities of the school and/or department include the following:

• Provide adequate workspace within the first week, which should include a private office, shared office space, or a private cubicle with a name/office plate. This space should include a desk, chair, computer (laptop or desktop), and a light fixture.
• Onboard and assist in establishing a Penn presence (ID card, email address, etc.)
• Welcome the postdoctoral fellow and provide information about departmental meetings, colloquia, seminars, other events, and essential matters.
• Add the postdoctoral fellow to the appropriate department, center, and school website and listservs.
• Provide contact information for the administrative staff in the department.
• Provide information about department business and administrative practices.
• Provide information about stipends and benefits. Ensure that stipend amounts are updated on an annual basis.
• Administer the postdoctoral fellow’s research and professional travel funds.
• Commit to providing a successful training environment for the postdoctoral fellow.
• Work with the postdoctoral fellow and mentor to assign teaching responsibilities if part of the fellow’s responsibilities.

Please note that schools and faculty mentors are responsible for reappointments, including issuing reappointment letters to the postdoc and copying the Office of the Vice Provost for Research before the renewal date.

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