Policies

In addition to university, human resources, research and other policies that pertain to postdocs, the College of Medicine and Office of Health Sciences (COM/OHS) have enacted one postdoc-specific policy to date. On December 15, 2006, the Council of Chairs and Faculty Council of the OSU College of Medicine approved a term limit policy for COM/OHS postdoctoral scholars.

See the policy and request for extension form. 

The policy went into effect for incoming postdocs on the date of approval; it is not retroactive. Developed in response to postdoc responses on the 2006 COM/OHS Postdoc Survey and to recommendations from organizations such as the National Academies, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), and the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA), the policy clarifies the temporary nature of the postdoctoral period and is intended to encourage career progression.

Career progression options: This brief depiction of postdoctoral career progression may be useful for faculty advisors, administrators, and postdocs who are interested in potential promotion options at Ohio State for postdocs approaching the end of the five-year term limit. It also lists many career options beyond the university.

Please refer any questions about the term limit policy to Postdoc.Office@osumc.edu or 614.247.6656.