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Prospective Postdocs

The Graduate School is responsible for campus administration of the Office of Postdoctoral Education at the University of Missouri.
Role of Departments & Programs
Preparing Future Faculty
Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Responsibilities of Postdoctoral Scholars

Preparing Future Faculty Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The PFF Postdoctoral Programs provide teaching and/or research and professional development opportunities for postdoctoral scholars. The programs allows postdoctoral scholars opportunities to participate in mentored training to more fully prepare them for their careers. There are two PFF Postdoctoral Fellowship Programs. Both accept applications based upon funding availability. Read about the programs below:

The PFF Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity is designed to promote and develop scholars for tenure-track faculty positions at the University of Missouri or elsewhere, in any discipline. Applicants should demonstrate how they can contribute to faculty diversity, such as through membership in a group that is historically underrepresented in a particular discipline or through other experience. The fellowships are for 2 years, during which time the scholars focus on scholarship and participate in professional development activities that integrate and expose them to the faculty experience.  Now accepting applications: Click here for more information.

The PFF Teaching Postdoctoral Program is a 9-month position designed specifically for any postdoctoral fellow on the MU campus and MU doctoral students who will be completing their degree prior to the start of the fellowship. The goal of this program is to provide and/or expand teaching and professional development opportunities for postdoctoral scholars. Fellows are invited to develop discipline-based or interdisciplinary courses or teach prepared courses in their discipline. Funding for this program requires a match from the academic unit in which they will be housed. [This program is not currently accepting applications.]

Email Dr. Behm-Morawitz at postdoc@missouri.edu if you have any questions about a PFF postdoctoral program.

Role of Departments & Programs

Issues pertaining to specific terms of appointment, position requirements or limitations not specifically covered in this policy statement are the responsibility of the faculty mentor and appointing department. Departments can, and are encouraged to, develop their own policies and programs for postdoctoral trainees that may be more comprehensive than those described within campus policies.

Responsibilities of Postdoctoral Scholars

Appointment as a postdoctoral scholar imposes responsibilities on the trainee to the mentor, laboratory colleagues, the department with which they are affiliated, the university and the agency that supports them. These responsibilities include:
  • Conscientious discharge of research responsibilities.
  • Conformance to ethical standards in research.
  • Compliance with good laboratory practices.
  • Maintenance of laboratory notebooks and/or other records of research activity.
  • Adherence to university and departmental standards and policies regarding the use of isotopes, chemicals, infectious agents, research animals, human subjects as well as other policies regarding workplace safety.
  • Initiation of open and timely discussions with the mentor regarding all facets of research.
  • Prompt disclosure of information to the mentor regarding the possession of and/or intent to distribute materials, reagents, software, copyright-able and potentially patent-able discoveries derived from the research.
  • Collegiate conduct toward members of the research laboratory and others.
  • Compliance with all applicable university policies and the terms of the sponsoring agency’s grant, contract or fellowship stipulations.
Teaching postdoctoral scholars may or may not have some research responsibilities. If so, their research responsibilities should be consistent with those listed above. In addition, teaching postdoctoral scholars will be responsible for teaching credit-generating courses and other responsibilities may also include:
  • Student Advising
  • Student Mentoring
  • Course Development