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Teaching and Instructional Responsibilities for Postdoctoral Trainees

Description

Postdoctoral trainees at Penn are appointed primarily for advanced research and scholarly training. Teaching or instructional activities, including lecturing, leading discussion sections, laboratory instruction, tutoring, or holding undergraduate office hours, are not automatic components of a postdoctoral appointment.

Teaching or instructional responsibilities may be permitted when they support the postdoctoral trainee’s research, scholarly development, or career preparation and are consistent with the scope and expectations of the appointment.

Policy

When teaching is permitted, postdoctoral trainees must receive prior written approval from their faculty mentor and department. Approval should be documented in writing before the teaching or instructional activity begins.

The activity must not interfere with the scope, expectations, or training objectives of the postdoctoral appointment. Additional school-, department-, funding-, or visa-specific requirements may apply.

Postdoctoral trainees considering teaching responsibilities should consult with their faculty mentor and departmental administrator early to ensure compliance with University policy, funding terms, appointment expectations, and visa regulations.

English Fluency Requirements

Postdoctoral trainees who engage in undergraduate instruction may be subject to Penn’s evaluation and certification of English fluency in the classroom, as required by Pennsylvania law.

This certification is separate from immigration-related English language requirements and is coordinated through the department, school, and Penn English Language Programs (ELP), when applicable.

International postdoctoral trainees should also consult International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) if teaching or instructional activity may affect visa status, employment authorization, or appointment terms.

Postdocs considering teaching responsibilities should consult with their mentor and departmental administrator early to ensure compliance with University policy, funding terms, and visa regulations.

For University policy guidance, postdoctoral trainees, faculty mentors, and administrators should review the following:

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS): J-1 Visiting Scholars
Central resource for visa requirements, English proficiency standards, and compliance guidance for J-1 Exchange Visitors at Penn.
https://global.upenn.edu/isss/j-1-scholars

Policy for Postdoctoral Trainees at the University of Pennsylvania
Outlines the scope of postdoctoral appointments, expectations for training, mentorship responsibilities, and conditions under which postdocs may engage in teaching or other instructional activities.
https://catalog.upenn.edu/pennbook/postdoctoral-trainees/

Evaluation and Certification of English Fluency for Undergraduate Instructional Personnel
Describes the University’s requirements for assessing and certifying English fluency for individuals engaged in undergraduate teaching, tutoring, or instructional activities, as required by Pennsylvania law.
https://catalog.upenn.edu/pennbook/evaluation-certification-english-fluency-undergraduate-instructional-personnel/

English Language Proficiency Requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors
Details English language proficiency requirements for J-1 postdoctoral trainees and visiting scholars, including acceptable forms of documentation and evaluation procedures administered through Penn ISSS.
https://postdocs.upenn.edu/resource/english-language-proficiency-requirements/

Penn English Language Programs (ELP)
Provides information on oral proficiency interviews, English language assessment, and training programs for instructional personnel and international scholars.
https://www.elp.upenn.edu/