faculty

Hiring a Postdoc & Postgrad

Planning to Hire a Candidate? Start Early

Please notify your department’s administrative staff as soon as you identify a candidate you intend to hire, including details about the proposed title and eligibility. The hiring process can take up to six months, particularly if the candidate requires a background check or visa sponsorship.

To ensure a smooth onboarding experience, we strongly recommend contacting your department several months in advance of the anticipated start date.

*Note: Yale does not appoint unpaid postdocs, nor does it permit individuals to volunteer for research activities.

Visas for International Postdocs & Postgrads

If you are planning to hire a postdoc or a postgrad from outside the U.S., please begin the visa process as early as possible. It can take up to six months to secure a visa, so early planning is essential.

Most postdocs and postgrads at Yale are sponsored on J-1 visas. In certain cases, the university may sponsor an H-1B visa. To explore visa options and begin the application process, please contact your department’s business office.

Compensation

Information about the minimum compensation levels is available here:

New appointees with prior postdoctoral experience at another institution should receive compensation that reflects their expertise and years of experience. Please note that prior experience is considered at the time of hire and should not be deferred to a future reappointment.

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Term limits

  • Postdoctoral appointments at Yale University typically do not exceed four years. However, in exceptional cases, current postdocs may be granted an extension for a fifth or sixth year, subject to approval.
  • The term of a postgraduate appointment is typically one year, renewable for a second year. Short-term appointments of less than one year are possible, but they are not renewable. The purpose of a postgraduate appointment is to: (1) acquire advanced training necessary to obtain a professional license; or, (2) prepare applications to graduate, medical, or other professional school. Requests for a third year in a postgraduate appointment will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Orientation

  • Postdoctoral Appointments
    All newly appointed postdoctoral associates and fellows are required to attend a mandatory orientation session hosted by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA). These sessions are held monthly and provide essential information about university policies and procedures, available benefits and resources, professional development opportunities, and the wide range of support services available to postdocs at Yale. 

    We strongly encourage departments to remind their postdocs to visit the Postdoc Orientation Registration page for details and to register early. Participation in orientation ensures a smooth transition into the Yale community and helps postdocs make the most of their experience.

  • Postgraduate Appointments
    While orientation is optional for postgraduate appointees, we highly recommend attending. These sessions are both informative and engaging, offering valuable insights into university life and available resources. Orientation is offered four times per year—typically in October, January, April, and July.

    We encourage all postgraduate appointees to register and take advantage of this opportunity to connect with peers and learn more about the Yale community.

Policies

For additional details on policies related to postdoctoral and postgraduate appointments, please visit the Policies & Resources page.

Other Types of Visitors

Individuals holding non-U.S. medical degrees who are interested in observing clinical activities should contact the Medical Education Office for detailed information & policy. 

If approved, these visitors will be issued a hospital identification badge; however, they will not receive a Yale academic appointment or Yale University identification.

Students currently enrolled in graduate programs at other institutions, particularly in academic units that offer Ph.D. programs, are appointed as Visiting Assistants in Research (VARs) rather than as postgraduate associates. For detailed information about eligibility, application procedures, and appointment guidelines, please visit the Graduate School’s website under the Visiting Assistant in Research section.