Sample Postdoc Offer/Acceptance Letter

Dr., Mr., or Ms.
Street Address
City, State Zip Code

Dear Dr., Mr., or Ms.,

Upon the recommendation of Professor (name of PI/faculty sponsor), I am pleased to approve your appointment as a Postdoctoral Scholar - (Employee, Fellow, Paid Direct) in the Department of (XXXXXX) for the period beginning DATE and ending DATE. This appointment is made at 100 percent time with an annual (stipend or salary) of ($XX,XXX) (less any deductions required by federal, state, or University regulations) (delete prior phrase if Paid Direct). This appointment is limited to the dates specified and is contingent on the availability of funds. (If applicable: Please note this appointment is contingent upon receiving proof of your Ph.D. prior to the start date, Insert start date.)

Please contact name of Associate/Departmental Contact (510/64X-XXXX, email address@berkeley.edu) upon your arrival in order to complete the necessary paperwork to initiate your appointment. Release of your first paycheck depends on the timely completion and processing of all required employment forms. (Delete prior sentence if Paid Direct.)

University policy requires you to maintain health insurance throughout your appointment period. However, if you already have health insurance that is comparable to the University-sponsored health plan, then you may elect to opt out. Information about benefits for Postdoctoral Scholars is available at http://www.garnett-powers.com/. You should contact your department benefits counselor for further information.

Under Federal Law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States . Documentation establishing this eligibility must be made available to the University during the first three business days of your appointment. It is your responsibility to ensure that you present the appropriate documents.

This appointment is made in accordance with Academic Personnel Policy 390 which is available at http://www.ucop.edu/acadadv/acadpers/apm/apm-390.pdf.

To assist you during your stay here, the Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) Program was established to foster a robust research community and enhance the postdoctoral experience. For more information, please go to http://vspa.berkeley.edu/. You are also encouraged to attend the New Postdoc Orientation (NPO) held the first Wednesday of every month. The NPO provides valuable information about working on the Berkeley campus and the many resources that are available to you as a postdoc. Enrollment procedures and a schedule of the NPO can be viewed at http://vspa.berkeley.edu/npo.html.

You are also invited to join the Berkeley Postdoctoral Association (BPA). The BPA sponsors activities to enhance professional career development and promote the Berkeley postdoc community at large. For more information, please visit their website which is http://postdoc.berkeley.edu.

Please indicate by your signature below that you accept the terms of this appointment. The signed letter must be returned to your department within three days of your appointment begin date.

We look forward to having you as a colleague at Berkeley/hope you continue to find your time at Berkeley rewarding and enjoyable.

Sincerely,

Dean of XXXXXXX

cc: Professor (name of PI/faculty sponsor)
Human Resources: (name of Associate/Dept Contact)
VSPA Program if change in appointment

Please sign and date below to indicate that you have read and accept the terms of your appointment. Return the signed letter to your Department within three days of your appointment begin date.

Signature _________________________________________________________ Date _________________