Types of Postdoctoral Appointments

Rutgers Postdoctoral Class 1 Appointment:

Postdoctoral Class 1 appointments are typically granted for an initial period of two years, contingent upon funding availability. Renewals are possible annually, but the total duration cannot exceed five years. Various funding sources, including grants from Rutgers faculty, research grants, startup funds, NIH K99 awards, and other general funds, may support Class 1 postdoctoral appointments. Typically, these funds are distributed through the university, and tax withholding is applied.

Being a Postdoctoral Class 1 appointee means you are a full-time regular salaried employee entitled to state and non-state benefits. Once you're hired, the department coordinator or Human Resources Generalist will schedule a welcome and benefits orientation within one week. You'll have 14 working days from your hire date to enroll and submit completed benefits forms.

For comprehensive information on state benefits, click here. For detailed insights into non-state benefits, click here. To stay up-to-date on benefits for Postdoctoral Class 1 appointments, we recommend reviewing the current collective negotiations agreement negotiated by the Rutgers AAUP-AFT union.

Rutgers Postdoctoral Class 9 Appointment:

Postdoctoral Class 9 appointees are in a trainee position and do not have a formal employee-employer relationship with Rutgers University. As a result, they are eligible only for the student health insurance plan. The HR Class 9 classification applies to postdoctoral positions receiving stipends from individual awards. Upon enrollment, Fellows are automatically covered by the Postdoctoral Fellows Health Insurance plan provided by UnitedHealthcare Student Resources. Coverage begins within 24–48 hours of enrollment, and Fellows will receive an enrollment confirmation and insurance card from UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.

Postdoc Benefits: HR Classification

Understanding your HR employee classification (Class 1 or Class 9) and campus affiliation is vital in determining your eligible benefits. Whether you are a Postdoctoral Associate or Postdoctoral Fellow, Class 1 employee, or Class 9 appointee, familiarizing yourself with the benefits available will help make the most of your postdoctoral experience at Rutgers University.

If you have any further questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to contact us or browse our website for additional resources.