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Recruitment

Position Description

Although a postdoctoral appointment is a training position, it is recommended that you draft a position description (more commonly referred to as a job description). VIEW SAMPLE 

The position description should include:

Overall Summary

  • In paragraph format, describe the primary objective of the position and summarize the responsibilities and expectations.

Duties or Responsibilities

  • In bullet point format, describe the scope of duties and the level of responsibilities. Include the level of supervision and the degree of independence to be provided.

Expectations or Standards

  • In bullet point format, describe the performance standards, as well as the scientific and professional expectations of the position. Include the minimal and preferred qualifications for the position.

Diversity Statement

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity, EOE, including disability/vets.

FOR A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE INCLUDE:

Opportunities Available

  • For example, indicate the prospects of attending professional meetings, opportunities to acquire experience presenting and publishing results, and support provided to secure independent funding. 

Career Development Support

  • Highlight our institutional commitment to postdoctoral professional development by referencing our Postdoctoral Career Development and Progress Assessment Process.

  • The Office of Academic Career Developement provides a variety of institutional resources to support the professional development of postdoctoral trainees in the Health Sciences.

Develop Recruitment Strategy

A proactive postdoctoral recruitment strategy will increase the likelihood of generating an inclusive and competitive pool of candidates from which to select. Only considering candidates whom you already know, those who have been referred to you, or those who have contacted you directly is a passive approach that will limit the diversity of candidates.

A proactive approach includes, but is not limited to:

  • Posting the position publicly online

  • Searching sites where diverse candidates post their CVs and research interests

  • Contacting other institutions with diverse student populations to request qualified referrals

  • Contacting professional organizations associated with your area of research to determine if they host a “career center” for trainees and whether they provide the opportunity for members to advertise open postdoc positions 

Departments are responsible for any expenses related to recruitment.

Free Resources 

Posting a Position

Searching CV Postings

Training Grant Directory

 

Back to Hiring Postdocs