Below are requirements for recruiting postdocs to the University of Iowa.

Section 1. Postdoctoral Scholars (FP01)

Minimum Posting Period

Postdoctoral Scholars position vacancies must be posted for at least 3 calendar days as per university policy.  However, it is highly recommended that positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. Available positions should be posted at the following link. https://jobs.uiowa.edu/.

Quick Hires

Departments may appoint postdoctoral candidates through the “Quick Hire” process when the candidate is an internal hire (current UI employees or former UI employees who were employed during the prior 24 months). This most commonly occurs when a University of Iowa student graduates with a terminal degree and transitions into postdoctoral training at the University. Appointments meeting “Quick Hire” criteria are not subject to minimum posting requirements. 

Please note that candidates who are appointed through the Quick Hire process are generally not eligible for special compensation. In addition, they will not be eligible for a waiver into a faculty appointment unless the original appointment occurred following an affirmative action search process.

Verification of Academic Credentials and Professional Background

Postdoctoral appointments are subject to the background verification standards set forth in III-9.2(a) “Credential Check at Point of Hire” of the Policy Manual. 

Previous Research Experience

Candidates for postdoctoral appointments must demonstrate a minimum of two years of research experience at the graduate level (equivalent to such experience in the United States).

Interviews and Reference Checks

Hiring departments are strongly encouraged to conduct interviews and reference checks in consultation with their departmental human resources representatives. Hiring departments are required to conduct reference checks on external candidates. Careful interviews and reference checking are crucial to ensure the university selects the most qualified and prepared postdoctoral candidates. 

Hiring without conducting a reference check could lead to institutional liability for negligent hiring if the employee’s past performance or conduct may create safety concerns. In such circumstances, the hiring unit may be responsible for any costs associated with such claims.

Criminal Background Checks

As temporary, at-will, employees, criminal background checks for postdoctoral appointees are governed by III-9.3(c) “Criminal Background Check at Point of Hire” of the University Policy Manual. The Graduate College has determined that postdoctoral appointees should be regarded as “security sensitive” employees, and as such, require passage through the criminal background process.

Section 2. Postdoctoral Fellows (FP02)

Postdoctoral fellows are appointed when the individual receives an NRSA NIH fellowship. This NRSA fellowship application is typically written while the appointee is a postdoctoral scholar (FP01). The length of the appointment is determined by the length of the NRSA NIH fellowship. These positions are almost always full-time appointments. 

Section 3. Postdoctoral Fellows (FP03)

Appointment of non-NRSA postdoctoral fellows occurs by exception only and is subject to review and approval by a university committee comprised of representatives from University Human Resources, the Graduate College, grant accounting in the Office of the Vice President for Research. Approval must be obtained from a special committee that will determine if the grant award language requires the person must be appointed as a fellow. The length of the appointment is determined by the length of the corresponding fellowship. These positions are almost always full-time in nature. More information regarding the process for this classification may be accessed at the following link: [LINK FORTHCOMING]