Bunk's article, although informative, focused on postdoc scholars who have organized themselves but spent little time on institutional efforts to support these individuals. I would like to bring to your attention that we created the Office of Postdoctoral Programs at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in July 1997.
We at the School of Medicine regard our postdoctoral researchers as valued colleagues. One reason our office was established was to implement and ensure compliance with the universitywide Policy for Postdoctoral Fellows in the Physical, Biological, and Health Sciences and Engineering. This policy sets minimal standards for the postdoctoral appointment, including salaries and benefits, and establishes a leave period for new-child care. In addition, our office provides a number of significant services for appointees and their faculty mentors. We run biannual orientation sessions for all incoming postdoctoral trainees and provide an extensive orientation package that provides details on such issues ...
