Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs, UC Berkeley  
 

Postdoctoral Appointment Application and Approval Process

INVITATION

Postdoc is invited by sponsoring unit and accepts invitation.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Prospective Postdoc:
  1. is referred to the VSPA Program website (http://vspa.berkeley.edu) by sponsoring unit to complete electronic VSPA application;
  2. completes electronic VSPA application (without signature) and provides a current curriculum vita. Both are submitted to sponsoring unit via e-mail as an attachment; and,
  3. faxes a copy of the Ph.D. diploma or certificate of completion of Ph.D. requirements.
APPROVAL PROCESS

Sponsoring Unit:
  1. prints out and reviews VSPA application and current curriculum vita
  2. reviews copy of Ph.D. diploma;
  3. secures appropriate authorization signature from chair of department or director of ORU;
  4. makes a copy of approved VSPA application for files; and,
  5. forwards original copy of VSPA application and current curriculum vita to relevant VSPA Authorizing Unit for approval signature.

VSPA Authorizing Unit:

  1. secures appropriate signature approval onto original copy of VSPA application;
  2. makes copy of VSPA application for files; and,
  3. forwards original copy of VSPA application to the VSPA Program.

VSPA Program:

  1. records approved appointment onto VSPA Program database; and,
  2. maintains original copies of VSPA application in "Arrival File".

ARRIVAL PROCEDURE

Sponsoring Unit:

  1. secures postdoc's signature onto departmental copy of VSPA Program application;
  2. coordinates and collects the following paperwork prior to data entry into HRMS. All documents are forwarded to HRMS, Data Services. Please click here for a complete overview of documents: http://vspa.berkeley.edu/pdstaff3.pdf.
IDENTIFICATION CARD PROCESSING

For All Postdocs:
CAL Photo ID Program:

  1. verifies appointment in CAL Photo ID Program database;
  2. verifies identification of postdoc with other photographic identification, e.g., passport, U.S. driver's license or
    state-issued identification card;
  3. provides CAL Photo Identification Card; and,
  4. refers postdoc to VSPA Program web site (http://vspa.berkeley.edu/pdbenefits.html) for privileges.