by Laure Haak, ScienceCareers.org. "Postdoc job titles and classifications are commonly assigned by institutions based on the source of funding for the postdoc. This decision determines whether or not the postdoc qualifies for health benefits, retirement fund options, and even access to the institutional library. Sherry Queener, associate dean of the Indiana University Graduate School, explains the situation at her university as follows: 'Postdocs typically are divided into at least two categories: employees and trainees. These divisions are often driven by [the] funding mechanism, rather than real differences in the purpose of the training/work. Thus, both categories of postdocs might work side by side on similar problems. Because these two categories of postdocs require different fringe benefits and because they often receive salaries determined by the funding mechanism, the universities are placed in the position of creating inequities, i.e., different pay for the same work.'"

Many NRSA fellows are paying thousands of dollars per year in taxes that they may not owe.

by Laure Haak, ScienceCareers.org. "Federal policies have a significant impact on the policies and practices of research institutions. So, might there be some kind of 'magic bullet': one or two key policy changes that would significantly improve the postdoctoral experience?"