This document provides information and advice about finding and applying for post-doctoral fellowships in the biomedical sciences. It discusses the purpose of post-doctoral fellowships, who should pursue them, where to find information on outcomes, when to start looking, how to apply, and tips for interviews. The document recommends starting to look for fellowships 6-12 months before desired start date, networking at conferences, tailoring applications to specific positions, and applying for additional funding as a fellow.

1. Finding a post-doctoral fellowship
in the biomedical sciences
Susan J.Baserga
Prof. of MB&B, Genetics, Ther. Rad.
Yale University and the
Yale School of Medicine
Skill Development for Diverse
Scientific Careers B&BS 550b
2017

2. What is the purpose of a
post-doctoral fellowship?
Additional training in
• experimental design and execution
• scientific communication (oral, poster, paper,
grants)
• critical reading and thinking
• “temporary”

3. https://chroniclevitae.com/news/
1130-so-what-is-a-postdoc
Jeremy Yoder, post-doctoral associate at
the University of British Columbia

5. Science

6. https://www.asbmb.org/education/graduatepostdoc/postdocs/
MB&B alumna, now Prof at U Michigan

7. Who should do a
post-doctoral fellowship?
• those students interested in careers in
academia
• those students interested in careers in high-
powered biotech (Genentech example)
• those who can’t decide?

8. Ann L Miller, MB&B alumna, now Prof at U Michigan
https://www.asbmb.org/education/graduatepostdoc/postdocs/

9. Where do our students go?
Cell Bio 25% post-doctoral fellowship
Genetics 33%
MB&B 46%
MCDB 34%
These numbers may be higher do to “seeking
employment” category and odd wording of
question.

10. Do you know where to find
outcome information?
http://bbs.yale.edu/career/careerhome.aspx
Under Yale BBS, under Career Development

11. When do you start looking?
• 6-12 months before you want to start

12. How do you start?
• Read and talk to people you know
• Network at professional meetings
• Think about and decide what technical skills
you want to learn next
• Person vs project or Person and project

13. Ann L Miller, MB&B alumna, now Prof at U Michigan
https://www.asbmb.org/education/graduatepostdoc/postdocs/

16. How do you apply?
• Via email with subject “Applying for a post-
doctoral position”
• Put your CV together—see UCSF website for
best info.
• Cover letter is the body of the email.

19. https://career.ucsf.edu/grad-students-
postdocs/career-planning/academic-
jobs/applying/academic-samples

22. Ann L Miller, MB&B alumna, now Prof at U Michigan
https://www.asbmb.org/education/graduatepostdoc/postdocs/

23. Most likely to have telephone,
Skype or Zoom interview first

27. You will be expected to give
a 45-50 minute research talk
and answer questions during your
in-person interview

28. Nine quick fixes for
scientific talks
https://www.asbmb.org/asbmbtoday/201106/F
eature/Nine/

29. Ann L Miller, MB&B alumna, now Prof at U Michigan
https://www.asbmb.org/education/graduatepostdoc/postdocs/

30. Look up grants on
NIH RePORTER
https://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm

31. Once you have a post-doctoral
position:
Write post-doctoral fellowships
before you start

32. Ann L Miller, MB&B alumna, now Prof at U Michigan
https://www.asbmb.org/education/graduatepostdoc/postdocs/

33. Questions?