Minimum salary/stipend for postdocs

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to advise you that the minimum salary/stipend for MIT postdoctoral scholars (both associates and fellows) will increase 3.25% to $73,308 effective July 1, 2026. On that date, all postdocs with salaries/stipends below the new minimum will have their pay increased to $73,308.

As always, PIs are encouraged to pay postdocs higher than the minimum when appropriate in light of performance, competitive trends, equity, and funding availability. For those postdocs earning above the new minimum, PIs are encouraged to provide at least a 3% merit increase when appropriate at the appointment renewal in FY27. (Increases for postdoctoral fellows whose stipends are above the Institute minimum may be determined by the terms of their fellowships.)

As you know, given the current budget environment, MIT announced that faculty and staff would forgo merit increases in 2026, with some exceptions. As noted at the time, the salaries/stipends of postdoctoral scholars are set through a separate process.

The minimum salary/stipend for postdocs is reviewed annually, with attention to competitive trends and the cost of living in the Greater Boston area. The increase to the minimum also recognizes the important contributions of our postdoctoral scholars to MIT’s research enterprise during their advanced training period. The minimum salary/stipend was last increased on July 1, 2025.

I am grateful for the input of the Research Council, the Provost’s Cabinet, and the MIT Postdoctoral Association leadership as we worked toward a balanced approach to setting the new minimum salary/stipend at this financially challenging time. Maintaining a competitive minimum salary/stipend across the Institute is an important part of our continued ability to attract and retain the most talented researchers.

If you have any questions about implementing the minimum salary/stipend, please refer to this FAQ or contact postdocservices@mit.edu.

New Guide for MIT Postdocs and Faculty Advisors

It remains critically important that we sustain our talent pipeline. The postdoctoral appointment is a key training period in the career of a researcher, and at MIT we strive to provide a robust set of professional development and mentoring resources to support every postdoc. I am happy to share the newest resource, A Guide for MIT Postdocs and Faculty Advisors. This guide was developed through the efforts of the Faculty Postdoc Advisory Committee and MIT Postdoctoral Services, with valued input from the MIT Postdoctoral Association, to clarify expectations during the postdoctoral appointment and the resources available to support mentoring, career development, and overall well-being. I encourage you to review it when onboarding new postdoctoral scholars, and hope you will find it supports discussions with the postdoctoral scholars you mentor. Thank you for the continued care you bring to this important responsibility.

Sincerely,

Ian A. Waitz
Vice President for Research