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Department of Biochemistry

Destination Biochemistry Postdoctoral Scholars

The Department of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine contains a diverse group of scientists, trainees, and staff dedicated to understanding biological mechanisms through fundamental research. Our investigators are leaders in applying advanced approaches in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, structural biology, mass spectrometry, and chemical biology to biomedical topics including DNA and RNA metabolism, enzymology, molecular cancer biology, molecular virology, cell signaling, protein misfolding diseases, and toxicology. We bridge basic discovery with clinical application to improve human health. An exceptional group of postdoctoral fellows train in our laboratories and go on to impactful careers in academia and industry. The Destination Biochemistry Postdoctoral Scholar Awards support the very best early and advanced fellows and honor the legacy of past Biochemistry investigators. This year, two early-stage scholars may be appointed as the Destination Biochemistry Cohen Postdoctoral Scholar or Destination Biochemistry Danzo Postdoctoral Scholar. Dr. Stanley Cohen was a Professor of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt for 40 years and made fundamental discoveries about growth factor signaling leading to the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986. Dr. Benjamin Danzo joined Vanderbilt as a postdoctoral trainee in 1971, started his own laboratory, and taught Biochemistry for 33 years. In addition, we will also award one Destination Biochemistry Advanced Postdoctoral Scholar Award to support the transition of an outstanding current postdoctoral trainee to an independent position in academia or equivalent principal investigator position.

Applicants for the early-stage scholar awards should have outstanding records of accomplishment in their graduate studies and have received their Ph.D. degree no more than 6 months in advance of their application. These scholars will receive a competitive stipend with benefits plus a supplement of $10,000 for two years and a signing bonus of $5,000. Scholars will be nominated for positions on institutional training grants and external fellowships; will have a mentoring committee of at least three faculty members; and will benefit from many career development activities and other resources of the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training. Highly productive scholars will be considered for appointment as Destination Biochemistry Advanced Postdoctoral Scholars.

Deadline for receipt of applications are February 15, June 1, and Oct 1, 2023.

  • Applicants should send a CV and a description of research accomplishments with future training and career goals (no more than 3 pages) as a single PDF to bchm.recruiting@vanderbilt.edu. Please put “Destination Biochemistry Postdoctoral Scholar” in the subject line of the email. In addition, applicants should arrange to have three letters of reference submitted by the deadline.
  • The future training and career goals should identify at least one Department of Biochemistry investigator as a potential mentor with an explanation of why the investigator was selected.
  • Individuals who are beginning their search for a postdoctoral position or who have already interviewed but not yet accepted an offer are eligible to apply.
  • Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged.
  • For more information, please visit https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/biochemistry/

 

Vanderbilt University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to recruiting and retaining an academically and culturally diverse community. Vanderbilt has a strong institutional commitment to diversity in all areas and particularly encourages applications from minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups.