Definitions and Classifications: What is a Postdoctoral Scholar?

The purpose of a postdoctoral appointment is to provide individuals with a recently awarded (normally within the past eight years) PhD or equivalent doctorate with additional research and scholarly training for careers in research or higher education. As such, the role and status of a Postdoctoral Scholar are clearly differentiated from that of a graduate student, full-time technical staff member or faculty employee. The title Postdoctoral Scholar generically refers to all doctoral-level researchers engaged in advanced education and training that is of limited duration (typically five years or less) and designed to prepare them for academic and/or research careers. This title applies irrespective of whether the postdoctoral trainee is a salaried employee of the University or a stipend-supported fellow receiving funding directly from a granting agency or through a Mizzou account. Although all postdoctoral scholars may be eligible for subsidized health insurance and educational assistance benefits, the specific characteristics of the benefits package differ somewhat on the basis of employment status.