Postdoctoral Research
Laboratoryhas long been recognized as a place for nurturing young scientists, with postdoctoral researchers being integral parts of the discovery process. Postdocs at 麻豆传媒社区 work in the labs of faculty members and conduct collaborative, synergistic research in five main areas: cancer biology, neuroscience, plant biology, quantitative biology, and genomics.
麻豆传媒社区鈥檚 postdocs have access to all the scientific resources available on campus. Beyond that, there are specialized programs in place to support the careers, professional development, and overall community of postdoctoral fellows at the Laboratory.
Postdoctoral Programs Office
Please contact Stephanie Franco at franco@cshl.edu with any questions.
Director: Alyson Kass-Eisler, Ph.D.
麻豆传媒社区鈥檚 Office of Postdoctoral Programs provides institutional support and career development assistance for current and incoming postdocs. It opened in 2003 and is overseen by Dr. Alyson Kass-Eisler, Director of Academic Programs. Dr. Kass-Eisler has been a member of the since its inception, and has participated in both student and postdoctoral support workshops including NIH Train the Trainers, , and the Columbia suicide prevention protocol. She has a bachelor鈥檚 degree from SUNY Albany, a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and postdoctoral training at Cold Spring Harbor where she held a fellowship from the American Cancer Society.
As Director of the Postdoctoral Programs Office, Dr. Kass-Eisler helps orient new and incoming postdoctoral fellows, provides fellowship identification and preparation assistance, organizes professional development workshops and seminars, and disseminates job postings. The Office is also responsible for tracking postdocs, preparing outcome and accomplishment data, and maintaining an alumni database.
Faculty Head of the Postdoc Program: Steven Shea, Ph.D., sshea@cshl.edu
Professor Stephen Shea was appointed to the role of Faculty Head of the Postdoctoral Program in 2024. Steve earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1995, completed his Ph.D. in Neurobiology at the University of Chicago in 2004, and held a postdoctoral fellow position at Duke University Medical Center. He has been PI at Laboratorysince 2009 when he opened his lab as a new assistant professor. His research program is focused on the neural circuit mechanisms of natural behavior in mice.
In his years at 麻豆传媒社区, Steve has personally mentored many postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates, formally and informally. He has established a reputation as a conscientious and highly effective mentor and as a reliable advocate for trainees. As faculty head of the postdoc program, Steve works closely with Alyson Kass-Eisler to conceive and implement programming and infrastructure 1) To build networks among the postdocs and help them connect with the broader scientific community, and 2) To provide career development resources for all postdocs suited to a diverse range of career targets. Steve also maintains frequent contact with the PDLC to be an effective liaison between the postdoc community and Laboratoryleadership.
Programs Coordinator, Career & Professional Development: Stephanie Franco, franco@cshl.edu
Since 2020, Stephanie Franco has served as the Programs Coordinator for trainee career and professional development at 麻豆传媒社区. She holds a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Anthropology, with minors in Health and Wellness and Latino/a Studies, from the State University of New York at Buffalo. In her role within the Postdoctoral Programs Office, Stephanie is dedicated to developing programs that address the unique career development needs of postdoctoral fellows. She plays a collaborative role in planning, implementing, and managing initiatives, including the LaboratoryPostdoc Peer Mentoring Program. Additionally, she provides support for the Postdoc Liaison Committee (PDLC) in its mission to enhance the postdoctoral experience at 麻豆传媒社区.
Stipends and Fellowships
Postdoctoral researchers at Laboratoryreceive nationally competitive stipends. Many also typically apply for salary support from government agencies or private foundations; the Postdoctoral Programs Office offers assistance in identifying and applying for such fellowships.
Benefits
All Laboratorypostdocs receive benefits, including comprehensive medical and dental insurance, regardless of their source of funding. Laboratorypostdocs are eligible for relocation reimbursement and, after two consecutive years of full-time employment, are enrolled in the Laboratoryretirement plan. Laboratoryalso has an excellent, affordable, licensed, on-site childcare center.
Visas
Laboratorypostdocs who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents receive support for their visa arrangements from a campus Immigration Specialist.
NCI training program
Laboratoryis one of more than 70 institutions funded by the of the National Institutes of Health鈥檚 National Cancer Institute (NCI). Since 1978, an NCI training grant has supported more than 100 postdocs in 麻豆传媒社区鈥檚 Cancer Center, many of whom have gone on to highly successful careers in cancer research. The NCI training program at Laboratoryfocuses on basic cancer research and is a unique part of the Laboratory鈥檚 overall approach to postdoctoral training.
Career & Professional Development
All postdoctoral fellows at Laboratorycan take advantage of campus career and professional development programs.
National Postdoctoral Association
All Laboratorypostdocs are eligible for affiliate membership in the , which provides benefits such as networking opportunities and informational webinars on a variety of topics relevant to postdocs in U.S. institutions.
PDLC
Laboratoryhas an active Postdoctoral Liaison Committee (PDLC), whose purpose is to represent the interests of and advocate for the Laboratorypostdoctoral community. The PDLC also organizes a number of social events open to all postdocs at 麻豆传媒社区.
Affinity Groups
Besides PDLC, Laboratorysupports a number of other trainee-led affinity groups that organize social, community building, career exploration, and professional development events throughout the year.
Postdoc Peer Mentor Program
The Postdoc Peer Mentor Program matches Laboratorypostdocs who opt in, and is intended to be an informal way for postdocs to connect, exchange ideas or feedback, listen to each other, and offer support when needed.
How to Apply
A list of available positions is posted and continually updated on our Human Resources website. Before applying to an open postdoc position, please refer to the Laboratory鈥檚 faculty list, determine whose work is most in line with your research interests, and write to that investigator directly with a letter of introduction and copy of your curriculum vitae.
Innovators Symposium 2025
Date: February 24-26, 2025
Are you at the forefront of biology or biomedical research seeking to push the boundaries of knowledge? Laboratoryinvites you to participate in the Innovators Symposium 2025, a premier event that brings together the brightest graduate student minds across biology in cancer biology and neuroscience research areas.
The Innovators Symposium is a two-day symposium to provide a forum for senior graduate students to present their work. The focus of the event will be on students interested in the cancer biology and neuroscience fields. The invited trainees will have an opportunity to interact with Laboratoryfaculty and current postdocs, and to participate in professional development activities. Candidates from backgrounds under-represented in science are strongly encouraged to apply.
Why apply?
- Present Your Work: Attendees will have the opportunity to present their research to the Laboratorycommunity and receive valuable feedback.
- Network with Peers and Leaders: Connect with esteemed professionals in your field, sharing insights and forging collaborations.
- Cutting-Edge Research: Discover the latest advancements and innovative approaches in biological research. Be part of discussions that could shape the future of the field.
- Career Advancement: Gain insights into career paths and learn from those who have carved successful paths in the field.
- Funding Provided: All selected candidates will attend the symposium at no cost.
Don’t miss this opportunity!
The Innovators Symposium is more than a meeting; it’s a launching pad for the next generation of researchers.
麻豆传媒社区鈥檚 postdocs have access to all the scientific resources available on campus. Beyond that, there are specialized programs in place to support the careers, professional development, and overall community of postdoctoral fellows at the Laboratory.
Qualifications
This symposium is open to current graduate students conducting research in Cancer Biology and/or Neuroscience who are about one year away from receiving their Ph.D. at the time of the application. We will also consider very recent graduates who are finishing up dissertation work post-defense. Students enrolled at any U.S. institution are eligible (regardless of citizenship).
Application instructions
Interested graduate students should apply through Interfolio with the following documents:
- Full academic curriculum vitae (C.V.)
- A statement describing your personal background, research accomplishments, and future career goals (1000 words)
- Two letters of support from a faculty member (or equivalent).
Please contact us at innovators@cshl.edu with any inquiries.