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Proof of Doctoral Degree

Description

Eligibility for appointment as a postdoctoral trainee requires the candidate to hold, or to have completed the requirements for, an advanced degree, such as a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree.

Candidates from non-U.S. universities must hold advanced degrees equivalent to those awarded by U.S. institutions in order to qualify for appointment as a postdoctoral trainee.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide transcripts, a diploma, or other acceptable documentation certifying that the degree has been awarded. The faculty mentor, or delegated authority, is responsible for reviewing this documentation, confirming that it is satisfactory, and ensuring that it is included in the candidate’s file.

Candidates who have completed all requirements for an advanced degree but have not yet been awarded the degree must provide documentation verifiable by the University confirming that all requirements have been completed.

A postdoctoral trainee may not be reappointed unless the degree has been awarded.

For University policy guidance, faculty mentors, postdoctoral trainees, and administrators should review the Policy for Postdoctoral Trainees at the University of Pennsylvania.

View Penn Postdoctoral Trainee Policy

Related 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.

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