Principal Investigator Resources

Preparing

OSPA – There is a new auto pop-up window in the grant spreadsheet template to plan for updated/minimum salary/stipends, raises, and conference travel.

Also available, the fringe benefits website for postdoctoral scholars.

Salary/Stipend Levels - Please note: When the individual has obtained a Ph.D. that is one year or older, the Graduate College assumes that they have other relevant postdoctoral scholar/professional experience (as defined by National Institutes of Health (NIH)). If this is not the case, then the PI will need to provide justification for the lower amount.

SalaryHiring Forms/Procedures – Upon determining that you would like to hire a postdoctoral scholar, email your Staff Recruiting Specialist (SRS) to initiate the process. Be prepared to submit a job summary, description of minimum qualification(s) and preferred qualifications, location, cost center, and other relevant position/posting information. The SRS will initiate the process in Workday, and the action will route to you as the Manager and then to the Business Unit Manager for approval. Upon approval, the job will then be advertised on www.jobs.iastate.edu for a minimum of seven (7) days. The Manager can request assistance with additional external advertising.

Additional Hiring Resources

Resources

www.jobs.iastate.edu

Onboarding

Postdoctoral Scholar Orientation - Encourage attendance to the orientation given by the Postdoctoral Office. Both PI and postdoctoral scholars will receive email invites. Orientations are given several times throughout the year.

Encourage attendance of the ISU Postdoc Association (PDA) general meetings. The PDA provides a professional setting with guest speakers, great peer connections and discussions at social gatherings.

Postdocs will receive a welcome email from the Postdoctoral Scholar Office and also from the ISU Postdoc Association.

Resources



Communication and Mentoring

Utilize the ISU Postdoctoral Scholar Experience Outline (listed below) as a communication tool to discuss with your PI/Mentor your scientific, educational and professional goals, expectations, etc.

Professional Standards and Mutual Respect – Consider using the AAMC compact. It serves both as a pledge and a reminder to mentors and their postdoctoral scholars that their conduct in fulfilling their commitments to one another should reflect the highest professional standards and mutual respect. Compact listed in Resources.

Postdocs and PIs will receive an E-Newsletter from the PDO once a month during the academic year.

Maintain open communication with the postdoctoral scholar and include a periodic review of mutual expectations.

Discuss meeting set-ups: (group, sub-group, one-on-one) that are held to discuss research progress. Comment on: format, frequency and duration.

Encourage the postdoctoral scholar to seek additional mentors.

Promote inclusiveness.

Cultural/Global Differences - If you are not familiar with a particular culture, it is of great importance to demonstrate willingness to communicate with and to understand each postdoctoral scholar as a unique individual.

Family Responsibilities - Both women and men may face challenging family issues. The PI should be alert to postdocs who need extra support when having a child, raising a child alone, returning to school after child-rearing, caring for an elderly parent, etc. Bridge Funding – Arrival of New Child, Employee Assistance Program

Resources

Templates

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