Loading
Print This Issue
Subscribe:
E-Almanac

Postdoctoral Stipend Levels for FY07
September 5, 2006, Volume 53, No. 2

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research is responsible for setting minimum stipend levels for Postdoctoral Fellows (PDFs) across the University. Many PDFs are supported by National Research Service Awards (NRSA), with stipend levels determined by the federal government.

In recent years these stipends increased at a pace with which the University was unable to conform. This year, NRSA stipend levels (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-06-026.html) for more experienced PDFs were frozen while starting levels increased. Nevertheless, recognizing that the cost of living has not been frozen and in view of the desirability of achieving equity across the campus the University will increase minimum stipend levels by four percent.

It is important to remember that recommended stipend levels represent minimums. Schools may establish their own guidelines as long as pay rates meet or exceed those established by the University, Penn investigators are also expected to comply with any postdoctoral stipend guidelines that are promulgated by their sponsors, if these sponsor-specified guidelines exceed the Penn minimum stipend levels. 

Recommended Minimum Stipend Levels for Penn FY07
(Penn FY: July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007)

1. Beginning postdoctoral fellows, with no prior experience at Penn, will be paid a minimum of $34, 402. This represents a four percent increase above the minimum for FY06.

Levels for all years are:

Years of Experience
Minimum Compensation FY07
00
$  34,402
01
$  35,434
02
$  36,498
03
$  37,592
04
$  38,720

2. Those current postdoctoral fellows who receive stipends in excess of the minimum should also receive an increase of at least three percent.

3. Stipends should be adjusted upwards during the course of the Penn fiscal year, either at the time of the annual postdoctoral reappointment, at the time of the annual grant renewal, or at the beginning of the NIH fiscal year.

4. Individual Schools can set their own stipend levels above those recommended in this revision.

—Steven J. Fluharty, Interim Vice Provost for Research

Almanac - September 5, 2006, Volume 53, No. 2