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Department of Biochemistry

Destination Biochemistry Postdoctoral Scholars (early-career/incoming)

Destination Biochemistry Postdoctoral Scholar Awards support the very best early and advanced fellows training in the Department of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences. The department 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.

We will award up to three early-career awards per year. Awardees will be designated as either a Destination Biochemistry Cohen Postdoctoral Scholar or Destination Biochemistry Danzo Postdoctoral Scholar to honor the legacy past Biochemistry investigators. 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 may 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-career scholar awards should have outstanding records of accomplishment in their graduate studies and have received their Ph.D. degree no more than 9 months in advance of their application. These scholars will receive a competitive stipend with benefits plus a salary supplement of $8000 for two years. 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.

Deadlines for receipt of applications are February 15, June 1, and October 1. Postdoctoral fellow applicants are encouraged to apply for this award at any stage of their postdoctoral search prior to the start date of their fellowship position. Current biochemistry postdocs are not eligible.

Applications are submitted via Interfolio http://apply.interfolio.com/123614 . Required documents:

  • Curriculum vitae

  • Description of research accomplishments with future training and career goals (no more than 3 pages). The future training and career goals must identify at least one Department of Biochemistry investigator as a potential mentor with an explanation of why the investigator(s) was selected. Discussion with potential faculty mentors is encouraged to determine a good match.
  • Three (3) letters of reference submitted directly to Interfolio, arriving by the application deadline.
  • 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.