Postdoctoral researcher minimum salary

As part of Ohio State’s strategic emphasis on enhancing postdoctoral status and ensuring market-competitive compensation, Ohio State will establish a minimum salary for all postdoctoral researchers.

Beginning September 1, current postdoctoral researchers will be paid a minimum salary of $48,000 and must hold a 100% FTE term appointment. Postdoctoral researchers whose salaries are less than $48,000 must have their pay increased to meet the new minimum standard. The Office of Academic Affairs and Office of Research will partner with colleges to assist with the salary increases, providing cash funding for a period of 18 months after the minimum goes into effect.

As a result of this change, all full-time postdoctoral researchers will meet both the duties test of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the university salary threshold. Therefore, postdoctoral researchers will be considered exempt employees. This means they will no longer be considered eligible for overtime when working more than 40 hours in a week, and they will no longer need to use timesheets.

In addition, starting May 1, all new postdoctoral researchers shall be offered a minimum of $48,000 annual salary and must hold a full-time equivalent term position.

This decision reflects our commitment to enhance the postdoctoral experience and brings Ohio State in line with our peers. Ninety percent of institutions surveyed by the National Postdoctoral Association have a minimum salary policy. Furthermore, it will increase our competitiveness in recruiting candidates.

School directors, department chairs, associate/assistant deans, senior business officers and faculty researchers will receive similar announcements. This early communication will enable faculty to budget for this change and make adjustments to comply. In addition, we will send an email notification early next week to approximately 180 current postdoctoral researchers who will be impacted by the change on September 1. Closer to that effective date, the Office of Human Resources will provide postdoctoral researchers with details about impacts on payroll deductions and pay periods.

In the future, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will provide an annual recommendation on revisions to this minimum salary. Any changes to the policy will be communicated to the campus community in a similar manner.

Thank you for your continued commitment to enhancing the experience for all faculty, staff and students at Ohio State.

If you have any additional questions and/or concerns, please contact Jackie Chambers.