After being awarded a PhD from a recognized higher education institute, a researcher gradually becomes independent in the coming years by developing his or her scientific competencies and professional skills through his/her own research. To facilitate this improvement, the international institutes offer postdoctoral positions which create mutual benefits in a spirit of cooperation and mentorship. To fulfill this gap in Sri Lanka, the Postgraduate Institute of Science has established a program for Postdoctoral Fellows for providing training across disciplines and Visiting Scholars to undertake collaborative research with the relevant institutions while contributing to the intellectual and research endeavors, as a part of the mission of the PGIS. This programme aims to facilitate to conduct research for a limited number of distinguished scholars from other academic institutions or accomplished professionals.

The postdoctoral fellow offer is a short-term research position that provides further training in a particular field. During this period, the Postdoctoral Fellows/Visiting Scholars have an opportunity to conduct independent research, sharpen technical skills, and focus on their research interests. The guidelines and policies of these positions are given below:

Types of Postdoctoral/Visiting Scholar Positions

The PGIS offers two types of positions.

1. PGIS-funded Postdoctoral Fellows
2. Self-funded/Nationally or internationally funded Postdoctoral Fellows/Visiting Scholars

The PGIS offers a limited number of grants for postdoctoral applicants, and suitable applicants are selected from a committee appointed by the Board of Management of the PGIS.

Further, the PGIS will provide an office room with an internet facility, the facilities to conduct research, laboratory space, access to libraries, health center, recreational facilities, etc. to the PGIS Postdoctoral Fellows.

Eligibility and Requirement Criteria for Postdoctoral Position

• The applicant shall be a Ph.D. holder (awarded within the last five years from a recognized higher education institute)
• Age limit is 45 years or below
• Full curriculum vitae
• Graduate transcript
• Research proposal that the applicant will undertake during the postdoctoral or visiting scholar appointment. The applicant should use the PGIS format given
• Two confidential letters of recommendation sent directly by the recommender to the (signed PDF files by email are acceptable) Director, PGIS

Eligibility and Requirement Criteria for Visiting Scholar

• The applicant shall be a Ph.D. holder with a minimum of 10 years of research experience
• Age limit is 60 years or below
• Full curriculum vitae
• Research proposal that the applicant will undertake during the Visiting Scholar appointment. The applicant should use the PGIS format given

Terms and Rules

• The panel appointed by the Board of Management of the PGIS, will evaluate all applications received in a given year based on the academic record, and scientific quality of the research proposal, aligned with the mission of the PGIS.
• The appointment is temporary, full-time basis as outlined in the appointment letter, and has fixed starting and end dates. Further, a Postdoctoral Fellow/Visiting Scholar is required to work five days per week inclusive of weekends.
• Extension and monitoring of the progress of the Postdoctoral Fellow shall be evaluated by a three-member panel appointed by the Research Grant Committee (RGC) of the PGIS.
• The Postdoctoral Fellow/Visiting Scholar shall work independently in collaboration with a supervisor/mentor who is an academic member associated with the PGIS.
• Initial appointment at the PGIS is for six months for the PGIS funded Postdoctoral Fellows. However, for Postdoctoral Fellows/Visiting Scholars with outside funding, the duration is the length of their fellowship award funding.
• Extension of the position for which the PGIS funded postdoctoral positions will be based on the progress and the recommendation of the supervisor/mentor and a three-member panel appointed by the RGC of the PGIS. The extension of such cases will be a maximum of two years.
• All Postdoctoral Fellows should submit a one-page monthly progress report through the supervisor/mentor to the Director, PGIS (Format- according to the PGIS).
• A Postdoctoral Fellow shall present his/her progress in the research in every six months to the panel appointed by the RGC of the PGIS.
• All Postdoctoral Fellows/Visiting Scholars should submit a final report based on the research carried out during the tenure at the PGIS through the supervisor/mentor to the Director PGIS (Format- according to the PGIS).
• The Postdoctoral Fellow/Visiting Scholar is not allowed to engage in any other full-time work or research during the period of the said appointment.
• The PGIS-funded Postdoctoral Fellows may not undertake any paid employment outside the PGIS without the prior approval of the Director/PGIS.
• The selected Postdoctoral Fellows/Visiting Scholar are expected to participate actively in the activities of the PGIS based on the recommendation of the Director/PGIS.
• A Postdoctoral Fellow/Visiting Scholar is permitted to teach up to one course per semester in the postgraduate programmes conducted by the PGIS for additional payments at the PGIS rates.

Vacation Leave and Holidays

The Postdoctoral Fellows/Visiting Scholars are allowed all PGIS/University Holidays and up to an additional one week of vacation leave per year at a time arranged with their supervisor/mentor. The vacation leave may not be accrued from year to year.

Sick Leave

Sick leave may be taken as needed. If illness extends beyond three days, then a medical certificate from the Health Center of the University of Peradeniya or a government doctor should be submitted. Request for such leave should be made in writing to the Director, PGIS, through the supervisor/mentor.

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows/Visiting Scholars from Other Countries

Postdoctoral Fellows/Visiting Scholars from other countries must have a valid visa prior to their visit. Medical insurance and all travel costs (including passport and visa fees) are the responsibility of the applicant.