Postdoctoral Fellows
The University of Texas at Austin Instruction Guide
There are two categories of postdoctoral fellows. One consists of University employees appointed to the temporary research title of Postdoctoral Fellow. Appointments to this title are made for a period of one year, but they may be renewed on an annual basis up to a total of three years. As University employees, this group of postdoctoral fellows may participate in the University's group insurance and other employee benefits programs if appointed half-time or greater for at least four and one-half months.
The second category of postdoctoral fellow consists of persons who are not University employees and hold fellowships from non-University sources. This group of postdoctoral fellows is eligible for insurance coverage through the student health insurance plan and is entitled to other privileges such as use of the libraries, purchase of a parking permit, and participation in the recreational sports program at the fees charged faculty and staff. To establish eligibility to use these services, postdoctoral fellows who are not University employees must obtain from the Office of Graduate Studies a letter certifying their status as a Postdoctoral Fellow. The letter will also serve as an authorization for an identification card. Documentation confirming the fellowship award will need to be presented to the Office of Graduate Studies at the time authorization for the identification card is sought. An identification card is required to enroll in the student health insurance plan.
ID Cards and Courses:
The ID Center will issue the postdoctoral fellow who is not a University employee an ID card that is valid for one year. A fellow may request a one-year continuance of the ID card through the Office of Graduate Studies.
Postdoctoral fellows in either category who wish to register officially for a graduate course may do so through special admissions procedures handled by the Office of Graduate Studies. Postdoctoral fellows may register by consulting the Office of Graduate Studies, Main Building 101 (471-4511). Postdoctoral status does not carry entitlement to resident tuition.
More Information:
Doctoral-degree holders who fall in neither of the above categories may be allowed to register for additional course work with the permission of the Graduate Dean. Those wishing to register for course work should bring a letter to the Graduate School director of Graduate Student Services (471-4511) from the Graduate Adviser of the program in which the person wishes to study and a letter from a GSC member who will agree to supervise the student's course work or research. Such course work may not be applied to a second graduate degree without formal admission to a graduate program and permission of the Graduate Dean.
The director can answer questions and take care of registration of postdoctoral fellows and doctorate holders pursuing further course work. Registration for a course provides eligibility to participate in the student health insurance plan.
