Compensation · Benefits · Taxes
Learn how compensation, benefits, and taxes differ for postdoc associates and fellows at UF.
Click on these links to compare and contrast the differences in employment status, compensation, benefits, and taxes for UF postdoc associates and postdoc fellows.
Postdoctoral Associate
Associates may be appointed for up to four years. Appointment beyond four years requires approval from the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School. Associates are considered temporary employees (OPS) of the University of Florida and may be eligible for UF employee benefits.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Fellowships are awarded to aid fellows in the pursuit of study or research, and no services are expected. Fellows are not considered employees of the University of Florida and are not eligible for UF employee benefits.
Postdoctoral Associate
Associates create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in collaboration with their mentor/supervisor. Their supervisors evaluate them using UF Engaged.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Fellows create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in collaboration with their mentor/supervisor. Their supervisors evaluate them annually. Use of UF Engaged is encouraged.
Postdoctoral Associate
Associates may used Post Doc Leave for vacation, sickness, or injury. They accrue five hours of leave biweekly, prorated based on FTE (full-time equivalent). They can accrue a maximum of 352 hours. This leave time has no cash value and cannot transfer to other UF positions. Associates should follow the OPS guidelines for holidays and the holiday closing period.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Fellows do not received formal leave benefits like paid time off (PTO), sick leave, or vacation time. However, they are expected to work closely with their faculty mentor or supervisor to coordinate any time away from their fellowship duties.
Postdoctoral Associate
Effective January 1, 2025, postdoc minimum pay for associates is $58,656 for 1.0 FTE (full-time equivalent). Postdocs are classified as exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore are not subject to minimum wage and overtime provisions. Salary may be prorated from the minimum of 1.0 FTE salary of $58,656 until it reaches the minimum of $43,888. (Appointments below 1.0 FTE must have prior approval from the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School.)
Postdoctoral Fellow
The stipend for fellows is determined by the terms of the fellowship award and may vary depending on the funding agency or sponsor.
Postdoctoral Associate
Taxes are withheld from associates’ paychecks.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Taxes are not withheld from fellows’ stipends, but may be owed. Fellows are responsible for determining whether your award, in whole or in part, is to be included in gross income and for paying appropriate taxes on it.
Postdoctoral Associate
Associates have access to a selection of medical, dental, and vision plans, depending on FTE (full-time equivalent) status.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Fellows are eligible for UnitedHealthcare Student Health Insurance Plan only. They can also consider external insurance plans.
Postdoctoral Associate
Health insurance coverage is available for eligible dependents of associates.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Health insurance coverage is available for eligible dependents of fellows.
Postdoctoral Associate
Associates are automatically enrolled in FICA Alternative 401(a) Plans. They have an option to supplement with additional plans.
Postdoctoral Fellow
No retirement plans are available to fellows.
Postdoctoral Associate
Other benefits for associates are available during enrollment.
Postdoctoral Fellow
No other benefits are available for fellows.
Postdoctoral Associate
Associates must complete enrollment within 60 days of their hire. Changes cannot be made until the next open enrollment period (mid-October) to take effect on January 1 of the following year. Outside of that period, changes are only allowed within 60 days of a qualifying event.
Postdoctoral Fellow
For fellows, open enrollment is the first 30 days of each semester, starting on the first day of classes. Exceptions exist for fellows who experience a qualifying event, such as loss of other coverage. In those cases, the 30-day window begins on the date that the fellow experienced that event.
Have questions? Get answers!
Email or book an appointment with Dr. Valli Sarveswaran,
Director of the UF Office of Postdoctoral Affairs