Compensation, Taxation & Benefits

Compensation

Research Fellows shall receive compensation from an extramural fellowship stipend which is routed through SKI, paid directly to the fellow, or from institutional and/or philanthropic funds when the fellow's full compensation is derived from internal sources.

The minimum stipend shall be determined by the number of years of relevant research experience since receiving the doctorate or meeting all requirements for the doctorate. Annual increases are based on merit and are at the discretion of the Lab Head. The current recommended minimum stipend levels are listed below:

Taxation

Research Fellows will not pay FICA taxes. All other applicable payroll taxes will be withheld for stipendee fellows paid through SKI, and a W2 will be issued by SKI each year. This will apply to all fellows regardless of the extramural source of their fellowship (i.e., NIH or non-NIH) and will also apply to possible institutional stipend supplements.

Benefits

Research Fellows and Research Fellows - no stipend¹ will be eligible for a limited benefits package that includes:

• Health care coverage for postdoctoral researcher and family
• Dental coverage (after six months)
• Discounted rates for Childcare Facility (Roosevelt Island)
• Time off and other related benefits²

¹Lab Heads must contact Human Resources to arrange for health and dental coverage for Research Fellows-no stipend.

²No vacation or sick time will be accrued. Time off, including sick time and vacation time, shall be reviewed and discussed between the Research Fellow and the Lab Head. It is expected that the Lab Head will permit a range of two to four weeks of paid vacation leave per year. It is also expected that the Lab Head will permit the Research Fellow to take eight weeks of paid time off for parental leave for birth or adoption of a child. Applications for extended leaves of absence due to extenuating circumstances should be discussed between the Research Fellow and Lab Head. Such leaves must be in accordance with institutional and granting agency policies and will require approval by the Director SKI.

Compensation

Research Scholars shall receive compensation via a salary. The minimum amount of the salary shall be determined by the number of years of relevant research experience since receiving the doctorate or meeting all requirements for the doctoral degree. Annual increases are based on merit and are at the discretion of the mentor. The recommended minimum salary levels are the same as those listed above for Research Fellows. However, an amount should be added to the Scholar's salary to cover the FICA tax that will be withheld (except employees who are FICA exempt because they are in the first two calendar years of J-1 visa status). The current amount to be added to the salary is approximately 12 percent.

Taxation

All applicable taxes will be withheld, including, city, state, federal, FICA and Medicare payments. A W2 form will be issued by SKI each year. 

Benefits

Research Scholars will be eligible for a limited benefits package that includes:

• Health care coverage for postdoctoral researcher and family
• Dental coverage (after six months)
• Discounted rates for Childcare Facility (Roosevelt Island)
• Ability to contribute pre-tax unmatched dollars to Voluntary 403(b) Tax-deferred Annuity Plan
• Time off and other related benefits¹
• Transportation Debit Card

¹No vacation or sick time will be accrued. Time off, including sick time and vacation time, shall be reviewed and discussed between the Research Scholar and the Lab Head. It is expected that the Lab Head will permit a range of two to four weeks of paid vacation leave per year. As employees, they are FMLA- eligible, and it is also expected that the Lab Head will permit the Research Scholar to take eight weeks of paid time off for parental leave for birth or adoption of a child. Applications for extended leaves of absence due to extenuating circumstances should be discussed between the Research Scholar and Lab Head. Such leaves must be in accordance with institutional and granting agency policies and will require approval by the Director SKI. 

Compensation

Research Associates shall receive compensation via a salary. The amount of the salary shall be determined by the number of years of relevant research experience since receiving the 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.

Taxation

City, state and federal taxes, as well as FICA and Medicare deductions will be withheld from salary. A W2 form will be issued by SKI each year.

Benefits

Research Associates will be eligible for a full employee benefits package including choices from the FLEX plan, which means they will get flex credits and any deductions will be paid on a pre-tax basis:

• Health care coverage for postdoctoral researcher and family
• Dental coverage (after 6 months)
• Vacation/Sick Time and other related benefits
• Long Term Disability
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Benefit- Mandatory 5 percent/5 percent matching employee/institutional contribution to Basic Retirement Plan (to an available designated investment manager), which becomes vested after three years. Also eligible to contribute pre-tax, unmatched dollars to the Voluntary 403(b) Tax-deferred Annuity Retirement Plan.
• Employee Spending Accounts - Health and Child Care
• Transportation Debit Card