Benefits and Leave Policies

All Postdoctoral Researchers are eligible for retirement benefits and health and welfare benefits as specified in this University of Chicago Postdoctoral Researcher Manual and the underlying plan documents. Postdoctoral researchers are not eligible for benefits under the University’s Educational Assistance Plan.

The leave policies outlined in this section apply to all Postdoctoral Researchers, including Postdoctoral Scholars, Postdoctoral Fellows, and Postdoctoral Fellows (paid direct) to the extent allowed by funding sources, which may limit the ability of the University to grant paid leaves to some individuals. In all instances, Postdoctoral Researchers who are supported directly by funding external to the University must follow the rules specified by the agency that supports them.

Postdoctoral Researchers with questions regarding leaves should consult with the Designated Dean’s Office Contact, an administrator within each academic division or school who is the point person for Postdoctoral Researcher administration. The Designated Dean’s Office Contact can help Postdoctoral Researchers understand the impacts of various leaves depending on the Postdoctoral Researcher’s employment status as a Postdoctoral Scholar, Postdoctoral Fellow, or Postdoctoral Fellow (paid direct) and their eligibility to take such paid leaves, depending on their funding source.

Postdoctoral Researchers who apply for and take a Leave must not:

• Engage in fraud or misrepresentation, or provide false information or material omissions to the University, any health care provider or funding source.
• Accept employment in any part of the University or outside the University while on Leave. (Postdoctoral Researchers who are supported directly by funding external to the University must follow the rules specified by the agency that supports them.)
• Fail to return from the leave at designated time.

Postdoctoral Researchers who engage in conduct described above will be subject to loss of benefits, denial or termination of leave, and corrective action up to and including termination.

All leaves will be treated as continuous service for purposes of vesting and eligibility to participate in the University’s retirement plans.