Benefits for Postdoc Researchers & Fellows

No. Postdoctoral trainees at the University of Pennsylvania are not eligible for the university’s tuition assistance benefit. This benefit is available only to full-time faculty in a benefits-eligible title and regular full-time staff.

If a postdoctoral trainee (PDT) wishes to enroll in a degree or certificate program, the full cost is their responsibility, unless their faculty mentor or department agrees to cover the expense. Any postdoc considering this option should consult with their mentor and departmental business administrator to discuss possible funding or approval.

Auditing Courses:
Postdocs may audit courses at Penn with the permission of both their faculty mentor and the course instructor. It is generally recommended that postdocs wait 6 to 12 months after the start of their appointment before auditing, to ensure they are fully engaged in their research and training responsibilities.

It means all postdocs have to be paid a minimum stipend amount based on their total postdoctoral years of experience. Postdocs and PIs or faculty mentors can negotiate a higher stipend amount but the total stipend amount needs to meet or exceed the minimum stipend level established by Penn.

For postdocs with more than four years of experience, any stipend increase is at the discretion of the PI or faculty mentor.

Postdocs are not eligible for the Penn employee merit increase program. A faculty PI or mentor is allowed to increase the postdoc’s stipend for merit purposes. Those decisions are made at the discretion of the PI or faculty mentor.