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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Postdoctoral Training

Postdoctoral Training

Advanced research training at Indiana University School of Medicine provides postdoctoral scholars with the expertise and support needed to accomplish their professional goals.

Tim Richardson and Chetna Jadala talk in a research lab

A Robust Research Environment

Faculty investigators throughout IU School of Medicine academic departments conduct a broad range of translational, clinical and basic research, and postdoctoral researchers benefit from this robust research environment. This training and working environment enables postdoctoral researchers to hone their research knowledge and skills for career advancement.


Benefits and Funding

The benefit plan a postdoctoral researcher receives at IU School of Medicine depends on the classification of the postdoctoral appointment. Two types of postdoctoral researchers train at IU School of Medicine: postdoctoral appointees and postdoctoral fellows. IU School of Medicine requires that all postdoctoral researchers be compensated at least the Year 0 NRSA minimum salary rate which adjusts every July 1 according to the rate set the previous calendar year or based on approval by the executive associate dean for research affairs. The rate is $63,480 per year as of July 1, 2026. Step increases in salary are encouraged when possible, but not required. Other benefits include career and professional development events and one-on-one career development sessions that include job application document review, interview practice, career advising, and more.

Maximizing Your Postdoctoral Experience

This workshop is designed to help postdoctoral researchers get the most out of their postdoctoral experience, in general and at IU School of Medicine. It is generally held the second Thursday of the month from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m throughout the fall and spring semesters. 

Postdoctoral researchers who are funded through R01s, department budgets and start-up funds are classified as “appointees” and are considered employees of the university. Appointees receive the benefits standard to academic appointees.

Postdoctoral researchers on training grants, NIH NRSA, NIH F or T awards and other fellowships are typically classified as “postdoctoral fellows” and begin training with a different benefit structure than appointees. Funding agencies require fellows not have an employer-employee relationship with the university. The benefit plan for postdoctoral fellows at IU School of Medicine is underwritten by Anthem. Dependents and spousal medical coverage premium costs will be covered by IU School of Medicine. A pro-rated supplement will be provided every June to help cover the loss of the retirement benefit that is provided to the postdoctoral appointees and postdoctoral fellows will be put on an administrative leave of absence to accumulate time towards vesting for the retirement plan when they return to employee status.

Postdoctoral Positions

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at IU School of Medicine supports recruiting a diverse population of highly qualified postdoctoral researchers and welcomes opportunities to meet with prospective postdoctoral researchers during interviews. These meetings provide candidates with information on employee benefits, relocation assistance, career development resources and more. See open postdoctoral positions at the link below. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is not involved in the postdoctoral researcher hiring process.

See all postdoc positions

International Applicants

Postdoctoral training in the United States is an exciting opportunity, but applying for programs and working so far from home can present challenges. IU School of Medicine recognizes the unique circumstances of international applicants to a postdoctoral research program and offers resources to make the process and transition successful.

The Office of International Affairs fosters and supports visa services for both students and scholars as well as faculty research projects, institutional partnerships, international development projects, curriculum internationalization, campus programming and community outreach. Tax Information, electronic newsletter and tax filing programs and services can help internal postdocs through this complex process. The Office of International Affairs offers visa information and services pertaining to visas for dependents, institutional policy of J1 visas, SEVIS and more.

Indianapolis English classes are available through a project of the Immigrant Welcome Center. Various classes with a variety of costs and programs are available.

Explore Indianapolis English Classes

View a map of available classes

IU Indianapolis's Program for Intensive English (PIE) offers comprehensive English training (ESL classes). They provide seven levels of English for international students and Indiana residents.

Explore the program, cost and schedule