Postdoctoral Associates
Postdoctoral associates are employee-trainees who:
- Receive salaries funded by research grants,
- Are employed as academic or staff personnel, and
- Work under a principal investigator whose research proposal is funded by the government or other external entity.
This usually occurs when the individual’s training is accomplished through the performance of obligations on a sponsored contract. The appointments of such individuals will show an appropriate percentage of employment in the PHR System and a salary payment.
APPOINTMENT PROCESS
Postdoctoral Associates are added to the university’s payroll and human resources (PHR) system. The departmental business manager should be able to provide all the necessary paperwork. These appointments are generally regular appointments or contingent II contract appointments.
SALARY
Salaries are biweekly, through direct deposit.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Regular-status Postdoctoral Associates are eligible to participate in the state of Maryland employee benefits plans. Enrollment must occur within 60 days of the appointment start date, and coverage begins with the first premium payroll deduction.
The departmental business manager or the University Human Resources (UHR) - Office of Employee Benefits (301-405-5654) can assist you with this process. Information is also available on the UHR web site here.
The costs for health care coverage vary, depending on the plan selected, but all plans include vision coverage. The selections include three types of medical plans with a variety of vendors. Premium costs range from $700 per year for the least expensive individual coverage to $2,900 per year for the most expensive family coverage.
The premiums are subsidized by the university, with the employee paying approximately 20% of the actual cost. Payment occurs through a bi-weekly, tax deferred, payroll deduction. Co-pays for all plans are $15 per primary care visit and $15 - 30 per specialist visit.
DENTAL AND PRESCRIPTION BENEFITS
Regular-status Postdoctoral Associates are eligible to participate in the state dental and prescription plans. Dental coverage is available through two types of dental plans. Subsidized, tax-deferred premiums vary by plan and range from $80 per year for individual coverage to $525 per year for family coverage. Subsidized, tax-deferred prescription premiums range from $425 per year for individual coverage to $850 for family coverage. Co-pays for 30- to 45-day prescriptions are $10 for generic drugs, $25 for preferred drugs, and $40 for non-preferred drugs. Coverage begins with the first biweekly payroll deduction.
Contractual Postdoctoral Associates pay the non-subsidized premiums directly to the state of Maryland.
RETIREMENT
Regular-status and Contractual Postdoctoral Associates are only eligible to participate in the voluntary supplemental retirement plans. Information regarding participation can be obtained from the departmental business manager, the UHR-Office of Employee Benefits, or the UHR web site.
Life Insurance and Disability Information regarding life insurance and long term disability are available through the departmental business manager, campus UHR-Office of Employee Benefits, or the UHR web site.
TUITION REMISSION
Regular-status Postdoctoral Associates are eligible for tuition remission at the rate of 8 credits each for the fall and spring semesters, 4 credits for Winter Term, and 8 credits total for both summer sessions. Application for tuition remission is done through an electronic form called “TR-ELF,” which is available on the ARES website, by selecting ELF form. This form must be filled out for each semester or session.
Contractual Postdoctoral Associates are eligible for tuition remission benefits that are negotiated and defined in the employment contract. Please see the departmental business manager for more details and instruction.
PARKING
Parking is administered at the department level. Consult with the departmental business manager.
Regular and Contingent II appointees are eligible for payroll deduction of parking expenses.
DIVISION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER ACCCESS
Postdoctoral Associates are entitled to all employee IT benefits, such as email, computing access, and special personal software rates. Since appointees are in PHR and receive a faculty-staff ID, this should be automatically granted.
LIBRARY ACCESS
Postdoctoral Associates are entitled to full use of the library’s information resources. Since appointees are in PHR and receive a faculty-staff ID, this should be automatically granted.