Postdoctoral appointees at Washington University enjoy time off, planned in coordination with their faculty mentors and Human Resources.

Essential Time Off

All postdoctoral appointees, regardless of their source of funding, are fully eligible for paid time off in the form of vacation, sick time, and holidays.

*Vacation and sick time are allotted in full every July 1 for the fiscal year. Postdocs starting after July 1 in a given a given fiscal year receive prorated vacation and sick time.

Paid Parental/Caregiver Leave

Paid Parental Leave*

After 12 months of service, postdoctoral appointees are allowed up to eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave within a rolling 12-month period to care for or bond with their children within the 12 months following birth or placement via adoption, surrogacy, or foster care.

Paid Caregiver Leave*

After 12 months of service, postdoctoral appointees are allowed up to four (4) weeks of paid parental leave within a rolling 12-month period to care for seriously sick family members.

*Within a rolling 12-month period, eligible postdoctoral appointees can take either Paid Parental Leave or Paid Caregiver Leave, but not both.