UNC Postdoctoral Scholar Policies
Here are some university policies that apply to Postdoctoral Scholars.
On this page:
Postdoctoral Scholar Policy
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill hosts approximately 1,000 postdoctoral scholars on its campus each year. Postdoctoral scholars are hosted in many different departments, schools and centers throughout the University. While the University seeks to provide Postdocs with the opportunity to continue their academic training through on-site practice experience, many aspects of the relationship between the University and its Postdocs are also that of an employer-employee relationship. Given the hybrid nature of the association between Postdocs and the University, the University has adopted this Postdoctoral Scholar Policy to delineate the obligations and expectations of all parties involved in Postdoc training.
Conflicts of Interest and Commitment
UNC-Chapel Hill’s Policy on Individual Conflicts of Interest and Commitment requires every postdoc participating in sponsored research or human subjects studies to complete a project-specific questionnaire identifying any financial relationships or other interests related to each research project.
Consistent with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hillʼs research, teaching and public service missions, the University encourages faculty, staff, and students to engage in appropriate outside relationships with private industry and the nonprofit sector. While engaging in these relationships, members of the University community are expected to avoid conflicts of interest or commitment that have the potential to directly and significantly affect the University’s interests, compromise objectivity in carrying out University responsibilities, or otherwise compromise performance of University responsibilities, unless such conflicts are disclosed, reviewed, and managed in accordance with this Policy. This Policy on Individual Conflicts of Interest and Commitment describes the Universityʼs approach and process for identifying, reviewing, and managing such relationships to help assure the integrity of University academic and administrative endeavors.
For more information on the Conflict of Interest Policies for Individuals and the Institution, visit the Conflict of Interest Office webpage.
If you have questions or issues related to these policies, contact:
Joy Bryde, Conflict of Interest Officer
jbryde@email.unc.edu
Tel. 919-843-5328
Minors in Laboratories Policy
The concern of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for laboratory safety extends not only to employees but also to any persons visiting University laboratories, especially high school students and minors under the age of 18, who may potentially be exposed to hazardous materials. Laboratories are common sources of thermal dangers, compressed gases, electrical hazards, chemical, biological, and radioactive materials, lasers, and sharp objects.
Please visit EHS’s website for more information on the Minors in Laboratories Policy.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The University is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on individualsʼ abilities and qualifications. Consistent with these principles and applicable laws, it is therefore the University’s policy not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status as consistent with the Universityʼs Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct.
University Policy Statement on Non-Discrimination
Contact Information:
Elizabeth Hall, Interim EEO/ADA Officer
Equal Opportunity/ADA Office
Tel. 919-966-3576
Fax 919-962-2562
Email: equalopportunity@unc.edu
https://eoc.unc.edu/
Personal Use Policy
The University deals constantly with the public’s perception of how we conduct the business of the University. All University employees must be constantly mindful of the public trust that we discharge, of the necessity for conducting ourselves with the highest ethical principles, and avoiding any action that may be viewed as a violation of the public trust. As custodians of resources entrusted us by the public, government entities, and private donors, we should always be mindful of how we utilize these resources. As members of a campus community, we should also be mindful of our responsibility to act so that others are not deprived of access to these same resources as they perform their duties. These resources include, but are not limited to, employee’s time, facilities, supplies, and equipment, such as telephones, fax machines, and computers.
To learn specifics on how this applies to you, see the Personal Use Policy.
Prohibited Harassment and Discrimination Policy
The University is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on individualsʼ abilities and qualifications. Consistent with these principles and applicable laws, it is therefore the University’s policy not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status as consistent with the Universityʼs Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct. No person, on the basis of protected status, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under any University program or activity, including with respect to employment terms and conditions. Such a policy ensures that only relevant factors are considered and that equitable and consistent standards of conduct and performance are applied.
The University has had long-standing policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination. The University recently updated the policies to be more inclusive and to incorporate information about sexual, racial, and unlawful workplace harassment and non-discrimination into one comprehensive policy, the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct. The University’s existing Policy Statement on Non-Discrimination supplements this revised policy.
The Equal Opportunity Office has primary oversight of this policy and the related procedures. You can always contact the Equal Opportunity Office (919-966-3576) with questions or concerns.
You can also direct questions or concerns to the University Ombuds Office (919-843-8204), the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (919-962-9982), the Office of the Associate Provost for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (919-962-6962), or the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Center (919-843-5376).
As a reminder, the University can guarantee complete confidentiality only when an employee shares a concern with the University Ombuds Office (919-843-8204) that does not involve an imminent risk of serious harm.
Violence in the Workplace
The University is committed to provide a workplace that is free from workplace violence by establishing preventative measures, by holding perpetrators of violence accountable, and by providing assistance and support to victims.
Violence in the Workplace Policy
Contact Information:
Employee & Management Relations
Tel. 919-843-3444
or
Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Tel. 919-962-9982
IT Policies
UNC-CH collects and maintains large amounts of sensitive data. With that comes an obligation to protect the data. To strengthen security in University’s systems and sensetive data, UNC has in place eight information security policies, including the Information Security Policy and the Transmission of Sensitive Information Standard. Please educate yourself on the University policies relevant to you and your work at UNC.
Information Technology Services Policies
FICA Tax Exemptions
Postdoctoral Scholars who are categorized as code 27 are exempt from the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA). Completion of the “Certification of Non-Service Requirements of Scholarship/Fellowship for Social Security Withholding Purposes” form certifies that the postdoctoral fellow/trainee meets the criteria for FICA tax exemption.
Postdoctoral Scholars categorized as code 28 are not exempt from FICA.
