Proof of Doctoral Degree
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Description
Eligibility for appointment as a postdoc requires a candidate to hold, or to have completed the requirements for, an advanced degree, e.g., Ph.D., MD, or equivalent. Candidates from non-U.S. universities must hold advanced degrees equivalent to those awarded in U.S. institutions in order to qualify for an appointment as a postdoctoral trainee. It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide transcripts and/or a diploma certifying that the postdoc has received their degree, and although this may be delegated, it is the mentor’s responsibility to review this documentation and ensure that it is satisfactory and included in the candidate’s file. Candidates who have completed the requirements for an advanced degree, but not yet been awarded such degree, must be able to demonstrate in a manner verifiable by the University that such requirements have been completed. In no event shall a postdoc be reappointed without the degree having been awarded.
Related Resources
Policies & Procedures
Visa Sponsorship Duration for Foreign National Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows
Policy for Postdoctoral Trainees at the University of Pennsylvania
Policy for the Appointment of Foreign Nationals Under the Postdoctoral Training Program
Individual Development Plan (IDP)
Postdoctoral Classifications at Penn
Tools & Systems
View All ResourcesRelated FAQs
Am I an employee of the college?
Postdocs at Penn are considered trainees. Trainees are assigned to and supervised by a faculty mentor. The University pays a stipend and offers employee-like benefits. Please see the Policy for Postdoctoral Trainees at the University of Pennsylvania.
Do postdocs need to provide proof of their doctoral degree?
Eligibility for appointment as a postdoc requires a candidate to hold, or to have completed the requirements for, an advanced degree, e.g., PhD, MD, or equivalent. Candidates from non-U.S. universities must hold advanced degrees equivalent to those awarded in U.S. institutions in order to qualify for appointment as postdoctoral fellows. It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide transcripts and/or a diploma certifying that the postdoc has received their degree, and although this may be delegated, it is the mentor’s responsibility to review this documentation and ensure that it is satisfactory and included in the candidate’s file. If conferral of a postdoc degree occurs after their start date, the postdoc must furnish a notarized statement or letter from their home institution’s registrar or University official that their degree will be conferred on a certain date and stating that they have completed all degree requirements by that date. Again, it is the mentor and or delegated authority responsibility to review the postdoc’s transcripts and/or diploma, or notarized letter to ensure that it is satisfactory. This documentation should be included in the candidate’s file and a copy added to their Workday@Penn file. In no event shall a postdoc be reappointed without the degree having been awarded.
Can I apply if I have a JD, MD, PsyD, or VMD, instead of a PhD?
Professional applicants (MD., DMD, VMD JD, etc.) within a year of completing their post-degree professional training are eligible to apply.
What is a postdoc?
A postdoc is an individual who has completed their doctoral degree and is engaged in a temporary period of mentored research or scholarly training to gain further expertise in their chosen field. At Penn postdocs are categorized as postdoctoral researchers, fellows, or NRSA fellows. They are collectively referred to in the policy for postdocs as postdoctoral trainees (postdoc).
What is an NRSA Fellow?
An NRSA Fellow is a postdoctoral position. NRSA Postdoctoral 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 from the federal government to support the individual’s training (T32 or F32).
The IRS defines an NRSA Fellow as a trainee that does not provide a service to the college. Due to these IRS regulations, no federal tax or FICA can be withheld from an NRSA Fellow stipend and an NRSA Fellow cannot receive any benefits that result in a tax impact (e.g. pre-tax contributions to a retirement account). An NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow’s stipend is subject to State, Local and State Unemployment Compensation taxes. No employment benefit rate can be charged to NRSA funding.