Postdoctoral Hiring Program

The Postdoctoral Hiring Program at Baylor University will significantly enhance our Carnegie Classification and positively contribute to our pursuit of R1 in three distinct ways:

Greatly enhance the productivity of our best current and future faculty researchers
Directly increase annual research expenditures
Add substantially to the "Science & Engineering Research Staff" metric used in the Carnegie Classification ("S&E" = STEM, social sciences and health)

Over the next three fiscal years, Baylor will add 65 new, 3-year postdocs through an updated selection process. Our existing postdoctoral program, which funds four postdocs per year, will be rolled into the new hiring structure, as follows:

FY 2020-21 – Hire 22 postdocs
FY 2021-22 – Hire 22 postdocs
FY 2022-23 – Hire 25 postdocs

Eligibility

All tenured and tenure-track faculty are eligible to apply.

Criteria

Approvals will preference postdoctoral placements that meet the following criteria:

Research area aligns with one of the five signature initiatives described in Illuminate
Faculty mentor has already been successful in securing competitive, external research funding and is poised to move to an even higher level of success with additional support from a postdoc
Envisioned work will lead to a new or greatly expanded funding stream for the faculty member
Faculty mentor agrees to be accountable for the new position resulting in increased external funding for their research program, including continued support for the postdoc position beyond the 3-year "startup" period

Application Process

Complete applications will consist of a 2-3 page application letter addressing the above criteria and the postdoctoral candidate’s resume. An application letter template may be found here. These materials should be combined into a single PDF file and emailed to research@baylor.edu. To receive full consideration, submit your application prior to 11:59 pm on September 6, 2021 .

Selection Process

We are currently accepting Cycle 2 applications for an anticipated June 1, 2021 start date. Applications will be reviewed as received until all FY 2021-22 placements have been allocated. Awardees will be selected by the Vice Provost for Research in consultation with the Provost and relevant Dean(s). All applicants will be notified of a decision via email by early October 2020.

Postdoctoral Compensation/Benefits

Effective October 1, 2019, postdoctoral researchers will not qualify for Baylor’s retirement contribution. Salaries will be $47,500 and the fringe benefit rate is now 32%.

FAQs

Am I eligible to apply?
The only eligibility criteria is that the applicant must hold a tenure-track or tenured faculty position. Other mentioned conditions or criteria are noted as preferential.

What is the required format of the application?
A single pdf is required that includes a cover letter and either the CV of your top postdoc candidate or your list of criteria. An application letter template has been provided here; however, there is no required format for either the cover letter or CV. It is suggested that your cover letter addresses the four preferential criteria for selection:

Research area aligns with one of the five signature initiatives described in Illuminate
Faculty mentor has already been successful in securing competitive, external research funding and is poised to move to an even higher level of success with additional support from a postdoc
Envisioned work will lead to a new or greatly expanded funding stream for the faculty member
Faculty mentor agrees to be accountable for the placement resulting in increased external funding for their research program, including continued support for a postdoc beyond the 3-year "startup" period

Am I required to pre-select my postdoc candidate to apply?
The Baylor postdoctoral hiring program aims toward consistency with common postdoc hiring practices at most Universities where researchers contact colleagues in their network for potential candidates. Tenure-track and tenured faculty are eligible to apply without having to pre-select a postdoctoral candidate; however, if an application does not include a CV please briefly list what qualifications would be required in a candidate. Upon award notification, the PI will be approved to run a job announcement and advertisement with Baylor HR, if needed.

Is my existing postdoc eligible for funding under the Postdoctoral Hiring Program?
The intent of the postdoctoral hiring program is to grow research expenditures AND the number of postdocs doing research at Baylor. Thus, an application for a new postdoc represents a stronger application than one requesting continued support for a current employee.

Is the postdoctoral hiring program for STEM-only fields?
Although one of Baylor’s goals is to add substantially to the "Science & Engineering Research Staff," metric used in the Carnegie Classification, the postdoctoral hiring program is not limited to those fields. The postdoc must be research-focused and dedicated to enhancing your productivity and directly increasing your annual research expenditures.

How and when will I be notified of a decision?
Awardees for Cycle 3 will be notified via email on or before October 12, 2021.

Questions?

Contact Dr. Stacey L. Smith with questions.

Stacey_L_Smith@baylor.edu
(254) 710-3252