Expectations for Host Departments
Host departments are encouraged to welcome the fellow into the department and make every effort to ensure that the fellow is included in communications about departmental colloquia, seminars and social events. Host departments are expected to provide the fellow with information about salary and benefits and administer the fellow's research and professional travel funds. Host departments are expected to provide the fellow with access to appropriate office space and routine administrative support such as telephone lines, departmental mail services, libraries, and technical support.
Any questions or concerns can be addressed to ppfpinfo@andrew.cmu.edu.
Please note: It is expected that departments and faculty mentors will make appropriate arrangements for space and other necessary resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the expectations for CMU host departments?
Host departments are encouraged to welcome the fellow into the department and make every effort to ensure that the fellow is included in communications about departmental colloquia, seminars and social events. Host departments are expected to provide the fellow with appropriate office space and routine administrative support. In addition, President's Postdoctoral Fellows should be provided with opportunities for career development, including consideration for a faculty position at CMU.
Q: Does the applicant need a letter of support from the department head?
Yes. The VPF, in concert with the proposed faculty mentor, will request a letter of support from the department head. This separate letter from the department head should describe the department's level of interest in hiring the applicant into a tenure-track position and/or identify a potential fit with another CMU department, if that is appropriate. It should also describe the steps that will be taken by the department in support of the development of the proposed faculty member.
Q: What should be covered in the faculty mentor's letter of support?
The e-mail sent by the application system to faculty mentors will ask them to address the following in a letter of support:
- applicant's planned research;
- teaching expectations, if any;
- extent to which the applicant will participate in departmental and campus academic activity (e.g., seminar programs);
- extent of applicant's anticipated participation at national/international research meetings;
- facilities and resources available to the fellow; and
- mentor's involvement in mentoring for other programs designed to increase access and opportunity in higher education.
Q: What are the mentoring responsibilities of the home department and faculty mentor?
The home department should establish clear guidelines for providing suitable mentorship and networking support to the postdoctoral fellow. Both the postdoctoral fellow and the faculty mentor should also be provided with resources on best practices on mentoring and professional networking and a mentoring plan that should be revisited periodically by both together with the host department head.
Q: If the applicant is unable to relocate because of family reasons, should s/he still apply?
The program requires that fellows are in residence and establish a presence at the mentor's campus, school, or department.
Q: Does the support from the Provost's Office include space?
No. It is expected that departments and faculty mentors will make appropriate arrangements for space.
Q: Are postdoctoral fellows expected to teach?
The President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is designed to provide new scholars with time to focus on research and publishing activities that will enhance their prospects for appointment as a tenure-track faculty member. The terms of the fellowships do not allow teaching without prior approval from the faculty mentor and the program director. It will be approved only if the teaching opportunity appears to serve the fellow's career development.