Postdoc Policy Library

• FY 2026
• FY 2025
• FY 2024

Policy for Postdoctoral Trainees at the University of Pennsylvania - The policy for postdoctoral trainees at the University of Pennsylvania has been updated to reflect the recent changes to health insurance and retirement benefits that were adopted and approved for implementation. This policy becomes effective on July 1, 2023, and supersedes the prior version, which was published on June 21, 2022.

Guidance Regarding the Cumulative Five-Year Term Limit for Newly Appointed Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows effective July 1, 2023 - Recommended guidance for implementation of the five-year term limit policy. Schools or departments that seek additional guidance can contact their appropriate Vice Dean for Research, Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs, or the Office of the Vice Provost for Research.

Visa Sponsorship Duration for Foreign National Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows - Recognizing the time and financial burden of the visa renewal process on many of the University’s foreign national postdocs, faculty mentors now have the option of offering the standard one-year appointment with a visa sponsorship duration that is multi-year. This can be done upon initial appointment or reappointment per faculty mentor discretion.

Policy for the Appointment of Foreign Nationals Under the Postdoctoral Training Program -Foreign national postdoctoral trainees make significant contributions to the teaching and research mission of the University of Pennsylvania. In view of increasingly complex immigration and labor laws, university-wide policies and procedures that directly impact the flow of foreign nationals to the University of Pennsylvania should be carefully defined.

Patent and Tangible Research Property Policies and Procedures - The purpose of this policy is to encourage and enable faculty, employees and students to translate new knowledge into social good and provide a framework within which the University can support and facilitate these actions.

Overview of Policy on Conflicts of Interest Related to Research - This unified policy – which supersedes the prior policies – defines the obligations of Investigators in Penn’s research community and governs Investigators’ financial interests / relationships related to their research, regardless of funding source.

Policy Relating to Copyrights and Commitment of Effort for Faculty - This policy provides information on copyrights at the University of Pennsylvania, outlining when researchers retain ownership of their scholarly and instructional works and when the University may claim rights based on sponsorship, work-for-hire status, or substantial University resources.

Procedures Regarding Misconduct in Research for Nonfaculty members of the Research Community - The University relies on all members of its research community to establish and maintain the highest standards of ethical practice in academic work, including research. Misconduct in research is prohibited and represents a serious breach of both the rules of the University and the customs of scholarly communities.

University of Pennsylvania Policy on Equal Opportunity - Penn’s commitment to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination is fundamental to the University’s mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Sexual Misconduct Policy, Resource Offices and Complaint Procedures - To create and sustain a campus climate in which members of the University community are able to thrive and achieve their full potential, the University has established a wide range of policies, educational programs, resources, support, and reporting systems to respond to complaints of sexual misconduct made against students, postdoctoral or other trainees, faculty, and staff. Sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct will not be tolerated.

Principles of Responsible Conduct - The Principles of Responsible Conduct, articulate the basic expectations that should guide our work at Penn. These Principles are embedded within many policies and practices identified throughout University and Health System handbooks, manuals, web-sites and other materials. The Principles are not intended to be a comprehensive catalogue of all applicable rules and policies of the University and the Health System. Rather, these Principles set forth the underlying expectations that we have for the conduct of University and Health System activities with the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Links to useful sites with relevant policies and resources are included.

Additional Policies & Procedures ofrom the Office of Postdoctoral Affair

J-1 visa holders who have a MD (or equivalent) degree - It is a requirement for individuals visiting Penn on a J-1 visa, who hold MD (or equivalent) degrees, to provide a letter, signed by the Dean's designee and the chair of the appointing department, which affirms the visitor's duties at Penn will involve zero or incidental patient contact. To submit a letter request, please complete the form availble on the website above and then email the signed letter to the Office of the Dean for CSO approval. 

Authorship Policy (2012) - Communication of scientific results, be they generated at the laboratory bench, the computer workstation, or in the clinic, is a primary expectation if not obligation of the faculty of the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM). Aligned with these obligations are expectations and requirements to ensure that the results of scholarship are presented in a rigorous, unbiased form that may be fairly and openly evaluated by both academic peers and the public. These principles form the foundation of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine's policy on authorship of scientific and scholarly publications.

Professionalism & Code of Conduct - Mini podcast series with Dr. Jody Foster, Assistant Dean of Professionalism for the Perelman School of Medicine. Penn Medicine's Professionalism Statement and Code of Conduct are also available for download as pdfs.