MUSC Postdoctoral Researcher Town Hall February 12, 2007 Edward Krug, PhD Associate Professor of Cell Biology & Anatomy Assistant Dean for Postdoctoral Affairs College of Graduate Studies

Acknowledgements Beth Gladden Joe Gough Susan Mappus Debbie Shoemaker Dodie Weise Stewart Mixon Philippe Gresle Patricia Kelly Wendy Littlejohn Rhonda Richardson Velma Stamp Dana Tumbleston David Welch

Today’s Progress Report Adopting a definition of “postdoc”Adopting a definition of “postdoc” Standardization of appointment processStandardization of appointment process Clarification of fellow tax obligationsClarification of fellow tax obligations MUSC postdoctoral statisticsMUSC postdoctoral statistics Benefits for postdocsBenefits for postdocs Aids for improving the postdoc-PI relationshipAids for improving the postdoc-PI relationship Creation of a “staff scientist” classificationCreation of a “staff scientist” classification Career resourceson the webCareer resources on the web

Administrations at research-intensive institutions have been overwhelmed by growth in the number of postdocs in the last 30 years.

The initial goal was to identify the postdoctoral research population at MUSC... but what is a “postdoc?”

NIH & NSF Definition of a Postdoctoral Researcher “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.”

Temporary Grant Position (MUSC Employee) (Payroll - Salary) POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR Training/Fellowship Grant (not an MUSC Employee) (Accounts Payable - Stipend) POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW Postdoctoral Classifications

STANDARDIZATION OF POSTDOCTORAL APPOINTMENT PROCESS 1.PI seeks confirms with business manager that sufficient funds are available to support a postdoctoral trainee - salary per NRSA schedule commensurate with experience. 2.PI recruits postdoc via networking, direct contact or advertisement. 3.Any VISA issues directed to Sally Young or Emily Brown ( 4.Submit FOC approval form, candidate CV, offer letter to the College of Graduate Studies for approval. 5.Route PEAR to Human Resources along with supporting documents.

Postdoctoral Fellows ….. are not MUSC employeesare not MUSC employees receive stipends through Accounts Payablereceive stipends through Accounts Payable will not receive any official notification of the amount of their stipendwill not receive any official notification of the amount of their stipend must submit estimated taxes quarterly - both federal and statemust submit estimated taxes quarterly - both federal and state declare their stipend amount on line 7 of Form 1040 as other income - denote as “SCH”declare their stipend amount on line 7 of Form 1040 as other income - denote as “SCH” do not pay FICA and Medicare taxesdo not pay FICA and Medicare taxes

MUSC Postdoc Statistics Currently 218 postdocs across 4 collegesCurrently 218 postdocs across 4 colleges 143 internationals143 internationals 75 US citizens or permanent residents75 US citizens or permanent residents 32 supported by research grants32 supported by research grants 42 supported by training grants42 supported by training grants Average age = 36 years (SD, 6 yrs; range, 25 to 65 yrs)Average age = 36 years (SD, 6 yrs; range, 25 to 65 yrs) Average duration at MUSC = 3.1 years (SD, 2.7 yrs)Average duration at MUSC = 3.1 years (SD, 2.7 yrs) 91% have been at MUSC for 5 or fewer years91% have been at MUSC for 5 or fewer years Maximum duration at MUSC is 16 yearsMaximum duration at MUSC is 16 years Average salaryAverage salary MUSC = $39,162 (SD, $5,434)MUSC = $39,162 (SD, $5,434) National = $39,267 (SD, $9,282)National = $39,267 (SD, $9,282)

How do MUSC postdoc policies compare nationally?

What are the characteristics of a “good” postdoctoral training experience?

Sigma Xi Postdoc Survey 2005

An Individual Development Plan for Postdocs The mere process of having a written plan for the training objectives and milestones of a postdoc correlates with significantly greater productivity and career satisfaction. 40% more publications per year!

What are the career options for a postdoc? The majority want faculty jobs…The majority want faculty jobs… but there has only been a 32% increase in tenure-track faculty positions since 1975 …but there has only been a 32% increase in tenure-track faculty positions since 1975 … while the number of postdocs has increased more than 400%.while the number of postdocs has increased more than 400%.

Table 1. Biomedical Workforce by Classification “Addressing the Nation’s Changing Needs for Biomedical and Behavioral Scientists”, National Academy Press, Washington DC, 2000.

Proposed definition of an MUSC postdoc: the appointee was recently awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D.) in an appropriate field; andthe appointee was recently awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D.) in an appropriate field; and the appointment is temporary (limited to 5 years at MUSC, with a 6th year by petition to the College of Graduate Studies); and the appointment is temporary (limited to 5 years at MUSC, with a 6th year by petition to the College of Graduate Studies); and the appointment involves substantially full-time research or scholarship; and the appointment involves substantially full-time research or scholarship; and the appointment is viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research career; and the appointment is viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research career; and the appointment is not part of a clinical training program; and the appointment is not part of a clinical training program; and the appointee works under the supervision of a senior scholar; and the appointee works under the supervision of a senior scholar; and the appointee has the freedom, and is expected, to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of the appointment. the appointee has the freedom, and is expected, to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of the appointment. (based on AAU, AAMC, and FASEB definition)

Why limit the term of postdoctoral training? Productivity decreases with increasing length of the postdoctoral period (publication rate drops 6% each year)Productivity decreases with increasing length of the postdoctoral period (publication rate drops 6% each year) Lack of adequate benefitsLack of adequate benefits Feelings of hopelessnessFeelings of hopelessness Limiting the duration of the postdoctoral training period also requires the evolution of new types of career options.

STAFF SCIENTIST CLASSIFICATION Assistant investigator - designs and executes experiments, writes manuscripts, assists in grant applications, supervises research of others in lab, develops new methodologies and experimental modelsAssistant investigator - designs and executes experiments, writes manuscripts, assists in grant applications, supervises research of others in lab, develops new methodologies and experimental models At least 2 years of postdoctoral trainingAt least 2 years of postdoctoral training A research grant position - no FTEA research grant position - no FTE No limit of durationNo limit of duration Staff benefitsStaff benefits Salary range of $40-80kSalary range of $40-80k Not PI-eligibleNot PI-eligible

Science Alliance for Students and Postdocs Science Careers National Postdoctoral Association /k.DBBE/NPA_Home.htm /k.DBBE/NPA_Home.htm Postdoctoral Life Sigma Xi Postdoc Survey Web Resources

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