Postdoc Policies

Postdoctoral appointments at Stony Brook University are governed by policies covering time limits, research conduct, Principal Investigator eligibility, professional activities, and more. Read through these policies to fully understand what to expect.

• Postdoc Time Limits

  Summary

  • Research Foundation (RF) Postdocs: Max 5 years (Postdoc Associate/Senior Postdoc Associate titles)
  • State Postdocs: 3 years (West Campus) or 4 years (East Campus, School of Medicine)
  • Transition Required: After time limits, employees must move to a new title (e.g., Research Scientist)

  Full Policy

  The postdoctoral appointment at Stony Brook is intended to be a time-limited period of mentored research training. Research Foundation (RF) postdoc employees may serve up to five years in a Postdoctoral Associate title at Stony Brook University. This includes local RF titles Postdoc Associate and Senior Postdoc Associate. State Postdoctoral Associates may serve up to three years in a postdoctoral appointment on West Campus, and up to four years on East Campus in the School of Medicine. At the end of the time limit as a Postdoctoral Associate, or at any time prior, subject to the appropriate authorization, an employee who is continuing must move into a new appropriate title. Those remaining in research often move into the RF title of Research Scientist at the appropriate salary range for the title. 

• Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship Training

  Summary

  • Mandatory for all postdocs (Policy P211)
  • Hybrid training: Online + department-specific in-person components
  • Consult Office of Research Compliance for requirements

  Full Policy

  All postdocs are expected to comply with Stony Brook’s Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship (RCRS) training policy P211. The required training includes an online and in-person component, the details of which are set individually by college or department. Postdocs should consult Office of Research Compliance for their "complementary policy" to determing the frequency and source of training that applies to them.
• Postdoctoral Council

  Summary

  • Meets quarterly to review policies related to postdocs at Stony Brook
  • Includes two (2) postdocs elected by their peers for a one-year term
  • Consult Graduate Bulletin for requirements

  Full Policy

  The membership of the Postdoctoral Council includes one representative each from Human Resources, the Office of Grants Management, Visa and Immigration Services, and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, and three representatives among faculty who supervise postdocs. One of the faculty members will be nominated by the University Senate. Faculty will represent multiple Schools and Colleges. Additional members include two postdoctoral representatives elected by their peers for a one-year term and a staff representative selected by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

  The Council will meet quarterly to review policies pertaining to postdoctoral scholars at Stony Brook University and to make recommendations to the Graduate School and Vice President for Research.

• Principal Investigator (PI) Policy

  Summary

  • PI Status: Requires faculty appointment or authorization from chair/dean
  • Process: Approved during myResearch proposal routing
  • Co-PI: No additional approvals needed

  Full Policy

  In order to be the Principal Investigator (PI) on a grant at Stony Brook, an individual must hold a faculty appointment or be authorized by the appropriate chair, dean or other senior leadership. For postdocs, according to the SBU Proposal Submission Guide, “[e]mployees whose primary responsibility is to carry out research but who do not have a faculty appointment (e.g., postdoctoral trainee, research associate, fellow, (senior) research scientist) are eligible to serve as PI with authorization from the Department Chair, Center Director and their Dean (or Dean’s designee) or the appropriate senior leadership of other University units.” This approval is provided during myResearch proposal routing, and postdocs must enter the appropriate PI title within the myResearch interface. 

  No additional approvals are needed for postdocs to have Co-PI status.

  For more information on serving as a principal investigator/project director at SBU, consult the SBU Proposal Submission Guide.

• Student Loan Deferment

  Summary

  • Postdocs are classified as staff/fellows (not students)
  • Eligibility determined by lender (not SBU)

  Full Policy

  Postdocs at Stony Brook University are classified as either staff employees or Fellows. Postdocs at SBU are not classified as students and are therefore not likely to be eligible for loan deferment; however, it is ultimately the decision of your lending agency as to whether or not a postdoc is eligible. 

• Navigating Additional Professional Activities

  Summary

  • Required: Disclose additional research/employment to OPA
  • Conflicts: OPA helps assess risks (e.g., collaborations with former advisors)
  • Process: Submit disclosure form → OPA meeting → Guidance provided

  Full Policy

  Postdoctoral scholars should discuss their plans with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) prior to engaging in additional research or employment activities, such as consulting, outside of their appointment. 

  We strongly recommend that postdocs share with OPA any existing relationships that may pose a conflict of interest or commitment with their current appointment. An ongoing relationship with a former advisor, for example, would not pose an issue if you are exchanging news about career milestones, but any active, ongoing research collaborations would warrant a discussion with OPA. If you are unsure whether an existing or potential research relationship may present a conflict, please don’t hesitate to reach out to OPA to discuss further. 

  This process is intended to protect the postdoc from any potential issues arising from additional research involvement outside of the scholar’s primary funding source, as well as to ensure institutional compliance with local and national  security and funding regulations. 

  To discuss these activities with OPA, please submit the form linked at the bottom of the section. Following your form submission, OPA will schedule a meeting to clarify the nature of the activity(ies) and gather any additional information that may be necessary. OPA will advise the postdoc on navigating the outside activity and, with the postdoc’s consent, will facilitate connections to other campus offices that can provide additional guidance (e.g., visa and immigration issues, conflicts of interest, funding, and research security). We will also liaise with the postdoc’s principal investigator (PI), as needed.

  Note that reviewer activities would likely not pose a concern, however, we strongly suggest that you speak with your PI and/or OPA about these activities prior to agreeing to serve in a reviewer capacity.

  If you have questions, or wish to discuss this process before submitting the form, please email postdocs@stonybrook.edu. 

  Share Your Additional Research with OPA