Individual Development Plan

An individual development plan is a tool to explore, define, and plan the postdoctoral scholar’s research, professional development, and career goals. At its foundation, the IDP establishes, in writing, the career aims of the scholar and the steps needed by both the postdoc and the faculty mentor for the scholar to reach those goals. The IDP, consequently, focuses on research training as it relates to the postdoc’s professional growth and career readiness. It also emphasizes the professional experience needed so that they can succeed in the job market. 

IDP Instructions:

Within the first thirty days of their postdoctoral tenure at UAB, the postdoctoral scholar will need to download the IDP template and, in consultation with their faculty mentor, complete the document. Once both the scholar and mentor sign the IDP, the scholar should email the document to OPE at postdocs@uab.edu. OPE strongly recommends the postdoctoral scholar and faculty mentor revise their IDP at least once a year. 

Postdoctoral 5th-Year Appointment Request

Postdoctoral scholars should prepare for completion of their postdoctoral tenure at the end of their fourth year. Under special circumstances, postdoctoral scholars may be eligible for a fifth year of training. If a fifth-year extension is necessary, a written request to the Associate Dean for Research and Training should be made before the end of the postdoctoral scholar's fourth year. Justification for a fifth-year must show compelling reasons for extension and a clear and detailed career transition plan with quarterly benchmarks and targeted dates of completion for stated objectives. The plan must also include how the scholar will transition to their next position. The document needs to be specific in its direction and steps. This request must be signed by both the faculty mentor and the postdoc. In all cases, an appointment as a postdoctoral scholar at UAB is limited to a period not to exceed five years. A fifth-year appointment letter will not be issued without a signed extension request.

Instructions for the  Request Form:

The request form will need to be filled out by the postdoctoral scholar in consultation with their faculty mentor. Once the scholar completes the form and signs it, a box will appear that will ask for participant two's name and email. The scholar will need to put their faculty mentor's contact information (i.e. name and email) in those boxes so the facutly mentor can sign the docuement. Afterwards, the form is sent to the Associate Dean for Research and Training for review.

A scholar should submit a request for a fifth-year appointment at least four months before the end of their fourth year at UAB.