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Department of Biochemistry

Destination Biochemistry Postdoctoral Scholars (early-stage/incoming)

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.

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.

Applicants for these 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, have a mentoring committee of at least three faculty members, and benefit from many career development activities and other resources of the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training. Successful Postdoctoral applicants should note that, in addition, we plan to annually offer one Destination Biochemistry Advanced Postdoctoral Scholar Award to support the transition of a highly productive and outstanding current postdoctoral trainee to an independent position in academia or equivalent principal investigator position.

Apply via Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/123614 by annual deadlines of February 15, June 1, and October 1.

  • Applicants should upload a CV and a description of research accomplishments with future training and career goals (no more than 3 pages). In addition, applicants should arrange to have three (3) letters of reference submitted by the deadline via Interfolio.
  • 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(s) was selected.
  • Incoming new postdoctoral fellow applicants are encouraged to apply for this award at any stage of their search. Current biochemistry postdocs are not eligible to apply for this opportunity, but may apply in August for the ADVANCED postdoctoral scholar award if they anticipate transitioning within one year to an independent role.
  • Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged.

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.