On- and Off-Campus Teaching

Postdocs may teach, provided appropriate conditions are met. In every case, this requires

• Written approval from the faculty mentor/PI.
• In the case of international postdocs, prior clearance from the Harvard International Office/SEAS Office for Faculty Affairs. Please note that postdocs on H-IB visas may not teach, unless already included in the terms of their visa.
• In the case of external grants, permission from the granting agency.

The FAS considers teaching a course to require 25% of an instructor’s time during the regular year. If the course is co-taught with another faculty member, or as a Teaching Assistant, the portion of effort and salary devoted to teaching is lower. Teaching is ordinarily in addition to their full-time research responsibilities, although FTE level and pay for research appointments may be reduced during postdoc teaching periods to lower the total FTE. 

1. Postdocs who are funded by their PI from sponsored funds or are on postdoctoral fellowships that are funded by the federal government, notably T32 traineeships and F32 fellowships, may teach, provided that the compensated services

• Occur on a limited, part-time basis apart from the normal research or training activities and
• Do not interfere with, detract from, or prolong their approved training program or research project. In every case, the research training experience must remain paramount and the Postdoc and his or her PI or mentor must ensure that the teaching does not jeopardize the quality or quantity of time devoted to the research training.
• Is relevant to their training as a scientist-educator and is not being undertaken merely to supplement their stipend or to help a department to cover its teaching responsibilities. 

2. College Fellows.

Teaching duties are part of their responsibilities and their compensation.