Researchers, Postdoctoral Fellows & Scholars Information

Research Associate, Senior Research Associate & Research Scientist

Research Associates, Senior Research Associates, and Research Scientists are appointed positions that typically require a PhD, MD, or other terminal doctoral degree.  They are appointed for a 12-month period and appointments may be renewed annually. The minimum requirements and benefits for these three positions vary; the title should reflect the work that will be expected within the 12-month appointment period.

Research Associate Minimum Requirements – PhD, MD, or other terminal degree; no prior experience is required.

Senior Research Associate Minimum Requirements – PhD, MD, or other terminal degree; five or more years of post-graduate research experience.

Research Scientist – PhD, MD, or other terminal degree; must be expected to independently write and submit grants and serve as the PI on the grant projects within the 12-month appointment period.

In exceptional cases, when a position requires highly specialized skills or scientific responsibilities of an extremely advanced nature (e.g. Bioinformatics, Engineering, Computer Sciences, Large Database Management), the degree requirement may be waived.

All new position requests and appointment renewal requests are reviewed by a SOM RA/SRA/RS Review Committee. The department sponsoring a new position may begin their open search after receiving notification of approval from SOM HR; only after the department has received approval for a new position should the position be posted. Positions must be posted on CWRU Academic Careers for a minimum of 5 days.  

The links below will direct you to the appropriate online forms to submit Research Associate appointment requests:

For further information concerning the appointment of Research Associates, Senior Research Associates, and Research Scientists, please refer to the Research Associate, Senior Research Associate, Research Scientist Policy & Procedures.

Additional forms related to Research Associate, Senior Research Associate and Research Scientist appointments may be found on the Forms and Additional Information page.

Postdoctoral Fellows & Scholars

Charles E. Rozek, Vice Provost and Dean, together with Diana Fox, Director of Postdoctoral Affairs, generates letters of appointment for SOM postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral scholars. In order to receive a dean's letter of appointment, please submit a postdoc appointment through the Student Information System (SIS) electronic postdoc appointment system.

This system allows for all appointment information and documentation (including visa, CV, diploma, and other documents) to be submitted electronically through SIS. It will also allow for electronic approval flow, all the way to the Immigration & HR Services Office (if applicable). Please go to Postdoctoral Affairs for details.

Do not send any part of the visa application for postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral scholars to the Faculty Affairs office. You can submit a personal data form (pd) when entering an appointment in the SIS post-doc appointment system or submit a personal data form (pd) and copy of the dean's letter of appointment directly to Patty Urbon, Faculty Affairs and Human Resources Office, in order to place a SOM post-doc fellow or scholar on CWRU payroll.