All PDFs must meet the University definition of a Postdoctoral Fellow and be formally appointed at SFU. The anticipated duration of the initial appointment is one year and must be made within the first five years after the PDF’s completion of their doctoral degree. Subject to funding availability a PDF may be eligible for further appointments (Use this Calculator to estimate cost to the grant). The total duration of all appointments must not exceed five years. 

Appointment

All Postdoctoral Fellows must be formally appointed at SFU. The anticipated duration of the initial appointment is one year and must be made within the first five years after the PDF’s completion of their doctoral degree. Subject to funding availability a PDF may be eligible for further appointments. The total duration of all appointments must not exceed five years.  

The PDF Appointment Form, along with the necessary supporting documentation is used by the Research People Team to generate the offer of employment / invitation letter, create the employment record and initiate payroll.

The following supporting documentation must accompany the PDF Appointment Form:

• Current curriculum vitae (CV)
• Proof of Degree (Unofficial Transcript)

For Non-Canadian Post-Docs:

• Copy of valid work permit
• Copy of valid passport

The letters outline the conditions of the appointment as outlined in Policy 50.03 procedures, section 5.1.2. Non-Canadian PDFs may use this letter to apply for a work permit.

Special attention must be given to the accuracy of the information provided, particularly as it relates to the annual salary and vacation time and whether the PDF is internal or external as defined in the policy.

The PDF annual salary represents the gross amount the PDF will be paid on a yearly basis. It does not include the employer’s portion of statutory deductions and non-discretionary benefits, which may cost up to an additional 17.47% of the PDFs salary and which will be charged to the grant from which the annual salary is paid.

PDF Appointments may require specific approvals based on the funding, please send based on the below:

• Financial Reporting Funds (Fund 13, 21, 23, 61, 62) > irfhelp@sfu.ca
• Research Accounting Funds, if applicable (Fund 25, 31 Foreign Funded Projects, 30's) > research_accounting@sfu.ca
• Department Finance Reviewers (Fund 31 Canadian Projects)
• Operating Funds (Fund 11, 40) > postdoc2@sfu.ca

Once all approved, completed PDF Appointment Forms and supporting documentation are to be sent to postdoc2@sfu.ca

An offer of employment is not considered complete until signed acceptance by the PDF has been received.

Benefits

Benefits information can be found here. 

Immigration

SFU is proud to welcome a diverse community of researchers from across the globe.

The process to obtain permission from Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can be complex.
Immigration Services provides expert immigration counsel to the SFU community on the interpretation of the Immigration Act and the regulations pertaining to international employees.

The SFU Immigration Portal is available for all departments who invite or hire international PDFs.

For further assistance please contact an SFU Immigration Consultant at immsfu@sfu.ca.

Postdoctoral Fellow & Teaching Appointments

Per Postdoctoral Fellows Policy R50.03 5.2, both internal and external Postdoctoral Fellows (Postdocs/PDFs) may be appointed to teach during their postdoctoral appointment at SFU.

Postdocs granted teaching opportunities should be appointed as a Limited Term Lecturer (LTL). These appointments are governed by the collective agreement between SFU and the SFU Faculty Association (SFUFA) under Article 35. Although LTL appointments are normally .5 full-time equivalents (or .5 FTE), departments should reach out to Faculty Relations to request approval, which will normally be granted, for a Postdoc to teach no more than a single course per year.

Discussions regarding the appointment of a Postdoc as an LTL should be initiated with the Postdoc’s supervisor before offering the LTL appointment.

If you have any questions around LTL appointments, please reach out to your Faculty Relations Advisor or VPR Office.