Postdoctoral Classifications at Penn

Description

Postdoctoral Trainees (PDTs) at Penn fall into one of three categories. These categories are assigned to a postdoctoral position based on the source of funding. The category of postdoctoral trainee determines certain benefit eligibility and tax requirements. For questions about your postdoctoral classification, please contact your department or the school’s business administrator.

Postdoctoral Researcher

A Postdoctoral Researcher is an individual who comes to the University for the principal purpose of furthering their personal development by engaging in research programs. A postdoctoral researcher holds a post-baccalaureate degree, normally the highest degree earned in the field. The normal source of funding is a research grant.

Postdoctoral Fellow (Non-NRSA)

A Non-NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow is an individual who comes to the University for the principal purpose of furthering his/her personal development through participation in advanced training programs. The postdoctoral fellow holds a post-baccalaureate degree, normally the highest degree earned in the field. Funding is provided by a private foundation or non-profit charitable organization such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and similar types of organizations.

NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow

NRSA Post-Doctoral Fellows are individuals who come to the University for the principal purpose of furthering their personal development through participation in advanced training programs. They hold post-baccalaureate degrees, normally the highest degree earned in the field. The source of funding is an individual or institutional National Research Service Award (also known as T32 or F32 award) from the federal government to support the individual’s training. Due to IRS regulations, NRSA Fellows cannot receive benefits with a tax impact (e.g. pre-tax contributions to a flexible spending account) or have their stipends taxed at the federal level.