Research Associates have already completed some postdoctoral training. Researchers in this category may be one of the following:
- Postdoctoral researchers who have had at least three years of postdoctoral training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering and have made a significant contribution to the research of the laboratory
- Postdoctoral researchers who have had at least three years of relevant postdoctoral research experience at another institution
- Postdoctoral researchers who have exceeded five years of postdoctoral training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Research Associates may be funded by extramural agencies that require them to be an employee of the institution or by institutional or philanthropic funds, in full or in part. They are classified as employees by payroll and receive a salary.
Appointment Term Limits
Research Associates are appointed for a maximum of five years.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering postdoctoral researchers may not serve for more than eight years total as Fellows, Scholars, and Associates.
Compensation (Salaries/Stipends) and Taxation
Research Associates receive a salary. The minimum salary you will be paid is determined by the number of years of relevant research experience you have had since you completed your doctorate.
Please see below for the current recommended minimum salary level for an individual with three years of relevant experience. Annual increases are based on merit and are at the discretion of the mentor.
| Years of Research Experience Since Doctorate |
Recommended Salary Level |
|---|---|
| 3 | $56,500 |
All applicable taxes will be withheld, including, city, state, and federal taxes, and FICA payments (taxes that go toward Social Security and Medicare). You will receive a W-2 form (which is used to report annual income and calculate taxes) every year that you work for us.
Benefits
Research Associates are eligible to participate in Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Flexible Benefits Program, FlexNow. The program allows employees to choose the benefits that best suit their needs. Benefit costs are shared between the Research Associate and Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and are deducted from pay on a pre-tax basis. Benefits under FlexNow include:
- Medical coverage for the postdoctoral researcher and eligible dependents
- Dental coverage for the postdoctoral researcher and eligible dependents
- Time-off, parental leave, and other related benefits
- Long-term disability
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Life insurance
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care
Other benefits include:
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Basic Retirement Plan (BRP): A tax-deferred defined contribution program requiring contributions (on a pre-tax basis) of 5 percent of biweekly salary. Memorial Sloan-Kettering contributes an equal amount to the account, subject to limitations imposed by law. You may choose how your retirement account is invested through TIAA/CREF and/or Vanguard. After three years of service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering's contributions are 100 percent vested. Participation in this plan is mandatory for Research Associates. You are not permitted at any time to voluntarily reduce or discontinue plan participation.
- Voluntary Tax-Deferred Retirement Plan: Research Associates may contribute pre-tax dollars to a supplemental retirement account. Memorial Sloan-Kettering does not make any contributions to this plan.
- Commuter Spending Account Program: Research Associates may contribute pre-tax dollars to the program to pay for eligible transportation expenses related to their commute to and from work.
Note: The above listing provides a brief summary of benefits and programs offered by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It is not intended as a complete description of each plan or program. Although every effort has been made to ensure the above information is accurate, the legal documents that describe the plans and programs will govern in the case of any discrepancy. The plans, programs, eligibility, and corresponding employee contributions are subject to review and may be modified at any time.
Vacation and Sick Time
You will accrue one sick day per month, up to a maximum of 72 sick days. You are eligible for 20 vacation days and 12 holidays per year and may hold a combined maximum total of 26 vacation and holidays in your bank. You will not be paid for unused vacation, holiday, or sick time when you leave Memorial Sloan-Kettering. You may be eligible for leave under the Family Medical leave Act (FMLA), which grants up to 12 weeks of leave within a 12-month period due to certain medical and family circumstances.
Parental Leave
Parental leave for Research Associates will follow the relevant employee policies. For more information please contact Bojana Zezelj, Senior Disability Specialist in Human Resources, by e-mail at ZezeljB@mskcc.org or by phone at 646-227-3086.
