Executive regulations of postdoctoral research courses (postdoc)

The launch of the post-doctoral research course provides a suitable field for the improvement of research knowledge and skills and the optimal use of the conducted research by using research and laboratory capabilities, facilities and equipment. The creation and expansion of this course will have a significant impact in advancing the country's goals in order to discover and solve society's problems in various fields of technology.

This regulation was compiled and announced based on the guidelines for conducting post-doctoral research courses of the relevant ministry in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

• Article 1. Definition of the course

The post-doctoral research course is a course that is implemented for the training of professional researchers in the research centers affiliated to the universities and can be considered as a transition course to the faculty level. In other words, people who successfully complete this course and are approved by that center and university in terms of research, education and ethics, will get the necessary points to be recruited into the call of the faculty.

• Article 2. Conditions of candidates

1. Having a specialized doctorate degree (PhD), specialized or sub-specialized, as the case may be, which is accepted by the Ministry of Health and Science, and no more than three years have passed since the date of obtaining the degree.

Note: 1 If the candidate enters the postdoctoral course in the first three years, it is possible to extend it for future courses.

2. Having at least 3 scientific-research articles as first author or corresponding author in journals indexed in PubMed or ISI (Web of Science)
3. Obtaining general qualifications
4. Acceptance from one of the qualified professors
5. The field and expertise of the applicant must be in line with the goals of the relevant research center

• Article 3. Conditions of the accepting professor

1. The receiving professor is the person who is responsible for guiding and guiding the student until the end of the course.
2. Accepting professors with the following qualifications is determined only from the main academic staff members (full-time or part-time) of the research centers of the same institution with a minimum rank of associate professor.
3. The accepted professor must have at least 6 articles published in scientific journals, authoritative research introduced in international journals (Pub Med, ISI web of Science) as the first or responsible author during the past 2 years and have an h-index of at least 15 and above according to It should be with the international view of Scopus.
4. The accepting professor must have the financial credit of the research (Grant) for the implementation of the student's thesis.
5. The appointment of the receiving professor is necessary from the beginning of the research post-doctoral course, and the receiving professor is responsible for guiding the student until the end of the course.
6. The receiving professor cannot supervise more than 2 Postdoc students at the same time.

• Article 4. Course length

The postdoctoral research period is at least one year and at most three years.

Supervision of good implementation and coordination is necessary with the approval of the supervisor. The start of the course is with the approval of the relevant department.

Obviously, at the end of every half year, the extension of the course is subject to the approval of the supervisor.

• Article 5. Documents and processes

1. Fulfillment of the conditions listed in Article 2 of this regulation by the researcher.
2. Completing the postdoctoral researcher information form.
3. The proposal and copy of the research project agreement of the university or research center with the main researcher (accepting professor).
4. Written acceptance of the postdoctoral researcher from the accepting professor
5. Confirmation of acceptance by the relevant group or research center.
6. Reflecting the group's vote to the vice president of research of the university for consideration in the graduate education council along with the relevant documents.
7. Issuing the verdict and notifying the relevant professor or research center.

• Article 6. Presentation of certificate of completion of postdoctoral course

1. The end of the course depends on the publication of at least four valid scientific-research articles with the index (Pub Med, ISI, web of science) with the name of the university per 3-year contract.
2. After the end of the course, based on the written request of the postdoctoral research researcher and the approval of the accepting professor, the relevant certificate will be issued with the signature of the vice president of research of the university, the head of the research center and the accepting professor.

Note 2:  In special circumstances, when research activity leads to the production of new technology, international patent (Patent), the production of technical knowledge or the creation of a new product, depending on the type and achievement, with the approval of the Postgraduate Education Council, it can replace the article or articles. Also, if the result of the research leads to the authoring of a book (approved by the graduate education council of the university), it can replace the article.

According to the contract, the completion of the course must be approved by the accepting professor and must be based on the achievement of the result.

• Article 7. Provision of expenses

Funding of all costs is expected in the form of a grant based on the agreement of the accepting professor.

• Article 8. Obligations

1. Responsibilities of Research and Technology Deputy

• Policy making regarding course objectives and research process.
• Examining and announcing the qualification of the researcher and the proposed plan and providing the appropriate answer.
• According to the type of research achievement and according to the existing rules of the university, payment of the article bonus to the researcher.
• Issuing the confirmation of the end of the course after the approval of the relevant authorities according to the article.

2. Obligations of the host professor

• Approval or disapproval of the researcher and the proposed research plan
• Research management to develop the researcher's methodological skills
• The announcement of the end of the course is based on article 6 of the regulations.
• The accepting professor is required to respect the scientific rights and intellectual property of the researcher.
• The receiving professor is allowed to recruit researchers from other countries according to the regulations of recruiting students.

3. Obligations of the researcher

• Attention to research matters during the course with the supervision and coordination of the host professor.
• Observance of all educational, research and administrative rules and regulations of the university during the course
• Submission of periodic quarterly reports with the approval of the accepting professor
• The results of the researches and possible income from them belong to the university and the researcher is obliged to protect the professor's intellectual property rights.
• Keep the recipient and the university protected in scientific results, articles, books, patents and other scientific productions.

Note 3: In special cases, with valid reasons {non-compliance (non-attendance for more than 6 months, non-compliance with disciplinary issues, etc.)} can request the removal of the postdoctoral researcher.

Note 4: The university has no obligation to recruit and hire post-doctoral researchers.