5.1 EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY.

a. All newly appointed University employees must have their identity and their eligibility to work in the United States verified. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Form I-9 is used to verify the employee's identify and eligibility to work.

b. The I-9 form must be completed by the third day of employment. Failure to complete the I-9 form in a timely manner or at all may subject the hiring department to penalties and fines from the federal government for failing to provide proof of work authorization. If a person is appointed who is not eligible to work, his or her employment must be terminated immediately upon learning he or she is not authorized to work. It is the hiring department's responsibility to ensure that a completed I-9 form is submitted to the Payroll Office.
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5.2 DEFINITIONS AND CLASSIFICATION.

a. Postdoctoral Scholars at The University of Iowa are recognized as persons engaged primarily in research, as part of a continuum of post-Baccalaureate education and training, unique from either students or faculty members. The individual's classification, responsibilities, and benefits have been tailored to this unique status. As a Postdoctoral Scholar at The University of Iowa, they have access to many of the opportunities and services we make available to students and have available several of the benefits provided to faculty.

"Postdoctoral Scholars" is a general term used at The University of Iowa to designate temporary, doctoral-level researchers engaged in advanced education and training designed to prepare for an academic and/or research career. The University recognizes two classifications of Postdoctoral Scholars, depending on the sources of their stipend and research funding, and the nature of their research activities.

(1) Postdoctoral Research Scholars are engaged in research supported by external grants or contracts or by University of Iowa General Education funds that may be made available to faculty members. Persons appointed under this classification (appointment code FP01) have specific responsibilities and research expectations directly related to the grant, contract, or University-funded program.

(2) Postdoctoral Research Fellows are supported by fellowships (generally awarded to them individually) that allow them to pursue research with a faculty member and a host institution of their choice. While the funding agency, department, or institution may expect some specific duties or research products, such expectations are usually incidental to the award. The primary obligation to accomplish the aims of the fellowship rests with the Fellow (appointed under code FP02).

b. Length of Appointment: Postdoctoral Research Scholars and Postdoctoral Research Fellows are temporary appointments at The University of Iowa. The post-doctoral experience at The University of Iowa will not extend past five years, unless there are unusual circumstances. The department would need to send justification of extending this appointment for approval to John Keller, Associate Provost for Graduation Education.
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5.3 REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION.

a. University Registration and Records: Whatever the classification of the appointment, the individual has a special status of Postdoctoral Scholar within the Graduate College, which has the responsibility for administering postdoctoral education. A transcript will be created by the Office of the Registrar to record Postdoctoral appointment status. Following the postdoctoral appointment, some employers, including the Federal Government, may require or request such documentation as a condition of employment.

The transcript record also includes any courses that the individual takes while at The University of Iowa. They may enroll in the following courses without tuition or fee assessment: 650:604 Principles of Scholarly Integrity, 650:605 Writing for Learned Journals and 650:606 Research Skills. If the individual wishes to register for any other course work, they must be admitted to the university as a non-degree, graduate special student (G9). Enrollment under this classification will generate tuition and fees, for which the individual will be responsible.

b. Certification of Postdoctoral Work: The University Registrar will, upon request, issue a certificate recognizing postdoctoral education, provided the appointment was for one semester or longer. The University transcript also will reflect the beginning and ending dates of the postdoctoral appointment.
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5.4 BENEFITS, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND RETIREMENT.

a. Health and Dental Insurance: Postdoctoral Research Scholars/Fellows hired into these positions may enroll in UIGRADCare, the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and Student Dental. The University contribution toward the cost of coverage for 2009-2011 will be as follows: 90% of the cost for a single health insurance plan, 70% for coverage of family members; 85% of the cost for a single dental plan, 70% for coverage of family members.

The University Benefits Office will send a packet of materials at the time the appointment begins. This will include rates, information, and an enrollment form to complete and return. Information on the plans can also be reviewed at the insurance section of this web site.

Individuals, who do not receive a salary with their fellowship, are still eligible to purchase coverage at their own expense. They should contact the University Benefits Office for the necessary application forms once the appointment has been entered on the University's payroll system by their department.

b. Health and Dependent Care Spending Accounts: Any Scholar or Fellow who has taxable income may participate in these accounts. For more information on them, along with the advantages of participating and the enrollment process, search for "Spending Accounts" on the Benefits web site.

c. Disability and Worker's Compensation: Postdoctoral Scholars are covered by Workers' Compensation. Postdoctoral Fellows, however, are not covered. Since this type of appointment is not classified as a University employee, Fellows are not entitled to disability insurance.

d. Social Security and Retirement: Postdoctoral Research Scholars (FP01) who are U.S. citizens are required to participate in the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) retirement plan (except those considered to be foreign scholars). The employee will be required to contribute 4.3% of their salary; while the University will contribute 6.65%. This deduction will automatically come out of the monthly paycheck on a pre-tax basis. IPERS will send more information along with a beneficiary designation form. The form should be returned to either IPERS or to the University Benefits Office. For further information on IPERS, go to www.ipers.org.

Upon termination of their appointment, if an individual does not continue as a regular State of Iowa employee, they may request a refund of their contribution in one of two ways. If the appointment is less than six months, they should contact the University Benefits Office for a "Wage Adjustment Request." If the appointment is greater than six months, they should complete an IPERS refund form, which can be found at the above website or by calling 800-622-3849. This refund form provides the option of either rolling over the funds into another retirement plan or receiving a lump sum payment. If the individual chooses to receive a payment, they will be liable for state and federal taxes along with a 10% tax penalty for withdrawal prior to age 59 1/2.

Postdoctoral Research Scholars also have the option to participate in the Voluntary Retirement Savings Program (VRSP) if they have taxable income. Information on this program is available on the retirement section of this web site under "Saving Extra for Retirement." Scholars or Fellows who receive salary may participate in the Roth 403b plan described on the above web site, even if they do not have taxable income.

Postdoctoral Research Fellows (FP02) is exempt from payment of FICA (Social Security) and Medicare taxes; therefore, they are also exempt from the payroll deduction for IPERS. Federal and State tax deductions will not be withheld from paychecks; however, the individual may still be responsible for payment of taxes. Individuals in this category are not eligible to participate in a VRSP.

e. Paid Leave: Postdoctoral Scholars at The University of Iowa are entitled to annual paid leave of 15 working days and annual sick leave of 18 working days but do not accrue vacation and are not entitled to vacation pay. The agency supporting a Postdoctoral Fellow may require different policies. The appointing department is responsible for arranging and accounting of leave for Postdoctoral Scholars.

f. Access to University Facilities and Activities: The Postdoctoral Scholar's University identification card is their key to university services. This identification card provides access to library and information resources, recreational services, cultural and athletic events as well as the ability to charge items to their University billing account.
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5.5 ADMINISTRATION OF APPOINTMENT.
The Graduate College is responsible for administrative matters relating to postdoctoral education at The University of Iowa and is the primary contact regarding postdoctoral educational experience. The Graduate College also provides or can arrange for counseling, mediation, or other services for Postdoctoral Scholars. Questions regarding the policies, benefits, and services applicable or available to Postdoctoral Scholars should be directed to the Graduate College. Questions particular to the appointment, its terms, requirements, or limitations, should be directed to the faculty advisor or the appointing department.
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