Postdoctoral Policies
Postdoctoral trainees (PDTs) come to the Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSUSOM) for further training in their chosen discipline. An individual who has been designated as a PDT receives training conducted in an apprenticeship mode under the supervision of an established faculty member who serves as a mentor. As dictated by the nature of the program, the trainee may be undertaking scholarship, research, service, and teaching activities, all of which provide training essential for career development. Because education is a pre-eminent mission of the University and because PDTs are professionals in training, it is important that PDT programs be designed to advance their careers. This policy is intended to address the distinct position of PDTs in the WSUSOM community.
A PDT is defined by the NIH and the NSF as an individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue his or her chosen career path. Under WSU SOM policy postdoctoral training cannot exceed six years (cumulative) unless exempted in writitng by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
This policy applies to all postdoctoral trainees that are identified in the payroll system of the WSUSOM including Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Associates and Research Scientists (supported by funds from a research grant, an individual or institutional National Research Service Award, private foundation, non-profit charitable organization, or other source). These guidelines are based on recommendations made by the National Academy of Sciences, FASEB, NIH and NSF.
These Postdoctoral training policies were approved by the WSU SOM Faculty Senate Executive Committee on June 26, 2008.
We are grateful to the Offices of Postdoctoral Training at the University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University and the University of Michigan in providing us with their templates and valuable assistance and advice in formulating these policies.