The Purpose of Your Unique Career Path
Andia Chaves Fonnegra, PH.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Wilkes Honors College/Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, FAU
Postdoctoral Affairs FAQs
All FAU postdocs are automatically included as members of the Postdoc Association upon their hire. Serving as liaisons to university administration, facilitating events and fostering community, there is a postdoc-led Postdoc Association Board with representatives from every campus. Details may be found on the FAU Postdoctoral Association website.
As of July 2025, there are 66 postdocs at FAU. New postdocs are hired as postdoctoral fellows. After meeting eligibility requirements, postdoctoral fellows may be promoted to senior research fellows. Please refer to the policy for details.
With supervisory support and required credentialing in place, a research postdoc who expresses an interest in gaining teaching experience may find a variety of options available. For example, a postdoc may respond to department teaching needs, serve as guest lecturer, co-teach or serve as instructor of record.
If applying simultaneously, this is typically driven by the rules of the sponsor who often do not allow additional applications. If consecutive, you can apply to as many fellowships as you like (unless otherwise noted).
All visa-related questions should be directed to the FAU Center for Global Engagement team.
See the current postdoc policy located on the Postdoctoral Affairs website. Additional information may be found on the FAU HR Benefits website.
An individual could utilize their sick and vacation leave for time off. If the absence meets the criteria for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), this allows eligible employees to take job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage. Under FMLA, time off may be paid or unpaid. All leave questions should be directed to the HR Benefits team.
Postdocs are not eligible for bonuses. Postdocs are usually funded by grants, which in most cases do not allow for bonus pay.
At present, there are no funds available from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for travel grants. A postdoc should discuss travel requests with their supervisor.
The Office of Research Development, located in the Division of Research, can offer guidance on how to find funding and assist with grant writing, proofreading and editing.
After six months, all full-time employees are eligible to apply for the FAU Employee Educational Scholarship Program to take six credits per semester. More information can be found on the Department of Human Resources website.
The FAU Postdoctoral Fellow Policy states that postdoc positions are typically up to three years but can be extended up to six years. It is important to know that a postdoc position is considered a temporary/training position — not a career in itself. Staying in the position does not do service to the postdoc scholar. Staying too long can send unfavorable signals to future employers.