Postdoc Guidelines

For Postdoctoral Associates, Postdoctoral Fellowship Holders, and Guest Postdocs

Applying and recruiting

For postdocs and supervisors: understand the steps to apply or recruit for postdoctoral positions. 

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Arrival and onboarding

Understand your appointment and find helpful resources to get started at UCalgary.

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Benefits

Understand and access your benefits.

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Eligibility

To be eligible as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Calgary, the candidate must have been awarded a PhD or equivalent within 7 years immediately preceding the end date if the postdoctoral appointment, or, an MD, DDS, DVM or equivalent, within 10 years. The window of eligibility may be extended with written justification if career interruption was due to childrearing, illness or family-related responsibilities.

The date of degree completion is considered to be the date upon which all requirements for the PhD/MD degree have been met, including successful defense and submission of the final corrected thesis. It is not the conferred or convocation date.

Duration of initial appointment may be from three months to three years. International postdoctoral scholars must have an initial appointment of at least twelve months in order to be eligible for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).

There are no citizenship restrictions. Postdocs who are not Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada are advised to visit Information for International Postdoctoral Scholars for more information.

Recruitment

Recruiting a postdoctoral scholar is the responsibility of the individual faculty member or research group. Before recruiting a postdoctoral scholar, the faculty member needs to ensure that:

  • The prospective postdoctoral scholar is eligible to be a postdoc and can be recruited as either a Postdoctoral Associate, a Postdoctoral Fellowship Holder, or a Guest Postdoctoral Scholar.
  • The postdoctoral scholar will be receiving the minimum salary:
    • $45,000/year effective July 1, 2024
    • $49,000/year effective July 1, 2025
    • $51,000/year effective July 1, 2026
    • $53,000/year effective July 1, 2027
  • The automatic pay increases have been considered in the budget:
    • 2% increase effective July 1, 2024
    • 2% increase effective July 1, 2025
    • 1.75% increase effective July 1, 2026
    • 1.75% increase effective July 1, 2027
  • If the postdoc is classified as a Postdoctoral Associate, the cost of Extended Plan C Benefits must also be covered. View the Benefits cost calculator on the Finance webpage.
  • There is appropriate research/office space and resources available for the postdoc to complete the required research and training.