Postdoctoral Research Associates, Postdoctoral Fellows, and Postdoctoral Research Fellows are individuals in the preparatory or learning stages of their careers who are appointed to conduct research, often to meet particular and defined needs of a project or program under the supervision of a regular faculty member, teach, and engage in other professional training activities. Postdocs are appointed to terms of a minimum of one and up to three years, and may hold postdoctoral positions for a maximum of five years except in exceptional circumstances. 

• Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRA) are employees of the University: they receive a salary, and all employee benefits for which they are eligible, and the sources of funding that support them are assessed accordingly. PDRAs are union-eligible.
• Postdoctoral Fellows (PDF) are in residence to conduct research supported by external fellowships that run through the University; they are normally paid stipends. Most Postdoctoral Fellows are not Brown employees, but they may participate in a University health and dental plan. If the fellowship does not fully meet Brown’s pay minimums and/or expected institutional contribution to health and dental insurance, the appointing office must make sure that an appropriate source has been identified to supplement the fellowship. PDFs are union-eligible.
• Postdoctoral Research Fellows (PDRF) are in residence to conduct research supported by external fellowships paid directly to the fellow; these fellowships are normally stipend-based. Postdoctoral Research Fellows are not Brown employees, and their stipends do not run through Brown. Before appointing a PDRF, the appointing office must make sure that the stipend meets Brown’s pay minimums and supports the purchase of a health insurance plan. In most cases, PDRFs may not participate in a University health and dental insurance plans. PDRFs are not union-eligible.

For more information on postdoctoral appointments, please refer to the Handbook for Academic Administration.

A Note About Part-Time Appointments

Part-time or short-term postdoctoral appointments at Brown are uncommon. In accordance with the Handbook for Academic Administration, postdoctoral appointees are appointed for terms of one to three years and may hold postdoctoral positions at Brown for a maximum of five years. 

Appointments and reappointments to positions covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement must be for a minimum term of one year. This guidance does not apply to Dean’s Faculty Fellows or to Brown doctoral students who have completed their PhD and are immediately appointed solely for specific assignments (see Article 7, Section C).

In exceptional circumstances, a one-time appointment extension of less than one year may be approved if necessary. Any part-time postdoctoral appointment must be approved by the cognizant dean’s office. 

Please note, part-time status may affect eligibility for certain benefits, particularly if the appointment is below 50% full-time equivalent (FTE). Departments and postdoctoral appointees are encouraged to consult the Benefits Office in University Human Resources at benefits_office@brown.edu as well as Employee and Labor Relations at employeeandlaborrelations@brown.edu for guidance.

Last updated: January 8, 2026.