Postdoctoral Research

postdoctoral fellow Arghya Mukherjee handles wires on a rack of computers

Postdoc Arghya Mukherjee studies the brain circuits involved in decision-making, and how these circuits go awry in people with psychiatric disorders. Photo: Michael D. Spencer/McGovern Institute for Brain Research.

Postdoctoral fellows and associates are an important part of the BCS community, contributing to the depth and breadth of our work. The Department appoints postdoctoral researchers on the recommendation of a faculty sponsor. We typically have over 100 postdocs with active appointments within BCS and affiliated research centers.

Working alongside faculty who are experts in their fields, postdoctoral researchers hone their skills as scientists, teachers, and mentors. The interdisciplinary nature of our program exposes them to multiple areas of research, and prepares them to advance to tenure-track positions at major universities or to significant positions in industry.

Candidates interested in postdoctoral study at BCS should contact the appropriate faculty member directly or search for available positions via the MIT employment site. International candidates: please contact the BCS Human Resources Officer, Kim DeMayo, for information on immigration and visas.

MIT information for prospective and current postdocs.

Information for BCS Postdocs

Salary and Stipend

Salary

Postdoctoral Fellows and Associates are appointed to conduct research projects in fulfillment of their postdoctoral training. Members of the postdoctoral staff may be appointed as fellows (whose support comes from an outside funding source) or associates (whose support comes from a grant or other source of MIT funds). The BCS Community (the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, and the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory) has implemented a highly competitive standard annual stipend rate for postdocs, regardless of years of experience. The BCS Community Standard Postdoc Annual Stipend Rate is indexed at the NIH NRSA 4-years of experience rate. That is, as the NIH raises this rate for cost of living, the BCS Community Rate will follow.

Current BCS Community Standard Postdoc Annual Stipend Rate

Years of Research Experience	Years @ MIT	BCS/MIBR/PILM Minimum Annual Stipend (as of Feb. 1, 2021)	NIH Minimum Funding (as of Feb. 1, 2021)
0 (<1)	1^st	$58,608	$53,760
1	2^nd	$58,608	$54,144
2	3^rd	$58,608	$54,540
3	4^th	$58,608	$56,712
4	5^th*	$58,608	$58,608

*Postdoctoral Associate and Fellow appointments are normally not renewed beyond a total of four years. Extension for a fifth year requires approval of the faculty supervisor and cognizant dean.

Although stipends for postdoctoral fellows are governed by the funding agency providing the fellowship, the fellowship stipend will be supplemented up to the current BCS Community Rate if allowable under the terms of the fellowship.

Cost of living adjustments, which are provided to bring fellowship support up to the current BCS Community Rate, will be reviewed on the postdocs anniversary date to ensure that the stipend combination matches the current BCS Community Rate.

Postdoctoral Associates and Fellows are reviewed annually on the anniversary of their date of hire as a postdoc.

General Tax Information for Postdoctoral Scholars

Due to legal restrictions on our capacity to advise you about tax liabilities, Human Resources is not able to answer individual questions regarding your tax situation.

All taxpayers must file a tax “return” (form) each year with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the United States government agency which handles federal taxes, and may also be required to file with the state tax agencies. The United States tax system is based on a system of self-assessment. Therefore, it is the individual’s responsibility to understand the tax requirements.

Teaching

Opportunities within the BCS Community are available to postdocs (associates and fellows) who have an interest in gaining teaching experience.

The following are options for teaching:

Design and teach your own course to be taught during IAP (January term)
Participate in teaching undergraduate or graduate level subjects by giving one or two lectures in Course 9
Participate in teaching undergraduate or graduate level subjects by leading a recitation section in Course 9

If you would like to participate in any of these teaching opportunities, please send your request to Sierra Vallin. Your request should include the following information:

Graduate or undergraduate subjects(s) you are interested in
Type of teaching (IAP course, 1-2 lectures, or leading a recitation section)

The decision about a postdoc’s eligibility to teach will be made on a case-by-case basis, and will consider a number of factors including permission from the PI, the postdoc’s visa status, the type of assistance needed by the course instructor, and individual fellowship requirements. Please keep in mind that postdocs will not receive any additional compensation for teaching as this is primarily a teaching opportunity, however we will coordinate with your advisor to make sure that your effort is distributed appropriately.