Postdoctoral Scholars

The Graduate School welcomes postdoctoral scholars to the Michigan Tech community. Tech prides itself as a hub for research and innovation, and the contributions of postdoctoral scholars are highly valued. The Graduate School provides a number of resources for postdocs throughout their time at Tech and as they move to take the next step in their careers.

Please review the Guidelines for Postdoctoral Research Fellowships for details on postdoctoral positions at Michigan Tech.

Postdoctoral Mentoring

Mentorship is an important aspect of the postdoc experience. Postdoctoral scholars will be mentored at a variety of levels during their tenure at Michigan Tech. Each postdoc will have a faculty mentor who will provide discipline specific training related to technical aspects of career development as well as skills necessary to succeed in a tenure track faculty position.

Pass It On—Become a Mentor

Mentoring students can be a rewarding experience for both parties. Postdoctoral scholars should consider passing on their skills and experience to students at an earlier stage of their academic careers.

Postdocs who are interested in becoming a mentor may benefit from guides published on the subject. The National Academic Press published an article on Being a Mentor to Students in Science and Engineering. University Affairs also published an article on How to supervise PhD's effectively.

Responsible Conduct of Research

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) involves being aware of and putting into practice the established professional norms and ethical principles of research. Michigan Tech has developed several training programs to support postdoctoral scholars in their professional development and fulfill obligations to sponsors of our research programs.

Postdoctoral Scholars have specific guidelines for compliance with the RCR Training.

Professional Development

Participation in professional development programs arms postdoctoral scholars with professional skills that will aid them throughout their careers. The Graduate School hosts a number of professional development opportunities each year. See opportunities to participate in one of this year's development events. Check the Events Calendar for information on upcoming professional development events at Michigan Tech.

Benefits

Postdoctoral scholars are eligible for benefits. A summary can be found on their webpage on the Benefits Eligible Chart Postdocs are considered Fixed Term employees. Please contact HR with any specific questions about benefits.

Extending Postdoctoral Appointments

Initial appointments for a postdoctoral scholar may be extended up to six years (total at Michigan Tech or elsewhere). The process to extend a postdoctoral scholar position varies depending on the visa status of the scholar. If your postdoctoral scholar holds an F-1, J-1, or H-1B visa, it is critical to plan ahead, as the process can take 90-150 days for approval by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).