Hundreds of postdoctoral scholars and research associates at Northwestern University voted to unionize this week, nearly two months after petitioning school officials.

Researchers cast 515 votes to be represented by the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, and 13 votes against. The final tally was certified Wednesday by the National Labor Relations Board.

“It’s beyond exciting to be part of something like this,” said Julia Fadjukov, 36, a postdoctoral fellow researching ophthalmology. “Every postdoc that will now come to Northwestern, not just us, will have this. And we all built it together.”

The move comes at a time of unprecedented uncertainty at Northwestern, as administrators stare down five months of $790 million federal funding freeze. To fill the budget hol

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