If you are a Postdoc at Brown and you receive your paycheck from the University directly (including Fellows whose grants are distributed to you by the University you are entitled to the benefits and protections in our contract. You can read the full text of that contract HERE, and as well as a simplified, plain-language contract summary HERE.

Here’s a brief summary of what we’ve won:

Salary & Raises

• Immediate raises: Postdocs hired before July 1, 2025 get a 3.25% raise or a bump to the new minimum salary, whichever is higher.
• New minimum salary: $65,000 for first-year postdocs (up from $56,484 when bargaining began), plus $1,000 for each year of prior postdoc experience. All postdocs—including those hired on or after July 1, 2025—will be brought up to these minimums.
• Annual raises: Automatic 2.75% raise every July 1.
• No salary cap: You can always negotiate higher pay with your PI or department.

Onboarding Support

• $3,000 onboarding stipend for all postdocs hired after contract ratification.

International Scholars

• Visa cost relief: Up to $1,500 reimbursed for approved visa-related expenses (travel, premium processing, application fees).
• Employer fees covered: Brown pays all legally required employer fees, including premium processing when required.
• No PTO penalty: Visa-related travel does not count against PTO.

Emergency Fund

• $40,000 annual emergency fund, with grants of up to $1,000 for unexpected crises.

Paid Time Off

• Annual PTO will increase to 24 days per year, accrued at 2 days per month (up from the current annual of 10 days).

Right to Disconnect

• Protections over working hours and right to disconnect outside of standard business hours.
• You are not obligated nor expected to respond to communications with your PI or other administrators and coworkers outside of the hours when you regularly work.

Discrimination & Harassment Protections

• An independent process for handling workplace misconduct claims, so we aren’t forced to wait on the University’s timelines or procedures.

Grievance & Fair Discipline

• A formal grievance process and clearer disciplinary procedures — essential protections for you when our workplace rights are violated.