[Date]
[Scholar Name]
[Scholar Address
Dear Dr. [Scholar Name]:
I am pleased to offer you an appointment as a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of [department name/division of]. This letter is intended to formalize our mutual understanding of your appointment. As a member of the Stanford academic community, you will be subject to the applicable policies and procedures of the University; many of the policies and procedures that relate specifically to Postdoctoral Scholars are set forth in Research Policy Handbook (RPH) 9.4.
Funds to support your Stanford postdoctoral appointment originate from the
Palo Alto Institute for Research and Education (PAIRE), a non-profit
corporation at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System which is an affiliate of
During this appointment, you will be involved in [brief description of research/studies]. Your initial appointment will be for one year and will begin on [anticipated start date] and end on [anticipated end date]. Your total support for the initial year of training will be [$$], plus certain medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage. All Postdoctoral Scholars must have medical insurance. Annually, effective on October 1 of each year, any approved stipend or salary increase will revise your compensation as described above, effective for the year from October 1 through September 30. [For foreign Postdoctoral Scholars on J1 visas] In addition, federal regulations require that all exchange visitors (J1) and their dependents (J2) maintain health insurance at specified levels of coverage for the duration of their visit. While you are a Postdoctoral Scholar supported from PAIRE funds health insurance coverage for both you and your dependents is available through plans offered by PAIRE. If you elect to participate in plans offered through PAIRE, you must waive all benefits offered through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs except for life insurance and disability coverage which is mandatory.
During its term, your appointment is contingent upon satisfactory performance and the existence of funding. At the end of the term and subject to the term limits set forth in RPH 9.4, your appointment may be eligible for renewal, based on satisfactory performance, the existence of funding, and programmatic need.
The source of your funding will be [brief description of source(s)].
At Stanford, Postdoctoral Scholars are considered students in advanced training. Scholars are registered according to University guidelines. This provides you access to certain University privileges. If your registration fees are paid by PAIRE or the Department, your registration fees may be considered nontaxable. Stanford can provide more information about this once you arrive.
Please send me a copy of your doctoral diploma. If the final degree has not yet been conferred, a statement of completion of studies from your home institution (Registrar's Office or equivalent) is required. This statement should indicate the date on which all requirements were completed and the expected date of degree conferral. Send this certificate to me (with a certified English translation, if needed).
Please sign and return one copy of this letter to me as acknowledgment of your agreement. The second copy is for your records.
Should you have any questions regarding this appointment, please visit Stanford's website at www.postdocs.stanford.edu and our department website at [department url]. Please familiarize yourself with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. Their URL is: http://postdocs.stanford.edu.
Additionally, Virginia Wong will be able to assist you with questions you might have about the PAIRE support of this appointment. Her email is Virginia@paire.org and she can be reached by phone at 650 493-5000, ext. 60170.
We look forward to your joining our academic community here at Stanford and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System/PAIRE.
Sincerely,
[Faculty Sponsor]: _________________________________________________________
Accepted By: ______________________________________________________________
Signature: ________________________________________________________________
Date: ____________________________________________________________________