BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship

Group of people pose in front of BIO5 Institute signs

About

This fellowship is an internal funding mechanism through the BIO5 Institute for outstanding postdoctoral researchers who are engaging in interdisciplinary research with a BIO5 member at the University of Arizona.

These small grants are designed to support and enhance the independent research goals of postdoctoral researchers working with BIO5 members.

To strengthen a forward-thinking mindset, each fellow will form a three-person mentoring committee intended to intellectually and technically support the fellow's research projects and provide career guidance. Fellows will also present their research at an annual research showcase at the BIO5 Institute.

Recipients of the fellowship can use their awards to purchase research supplies and engage in professional development to encourage their pursuit of becoming independent researchers.

Applications open each fall with the new cohorts announced in January.

History

To better support the success of early career researchers, Michael D.L. Johnson, assistant professor in the Department of Immunobiology and inaugural Keating Family BIO5 Professor, wanted to create a program to support postdoctoral researchers at the University of Arizona. After brainstorming, he collaborated with BIO5 leadership, who readily agreed and provided funding.

In 2019, the BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship was established. Since then, the program supports up to eight postdoctoral researchers each year who work with a BIO5 member.

Application Overview

Any questions can be directed to the BIO5 administration office at applications@bio5.org

Applicants for the BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship must:

Have been a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arizona for at least 6 months but no more than five years since earning a doctoral degree. However, if there are extenuating circumstances due to COVID or other hardships please inquire eligibility with BIO5 administrative staff at applications@bio5.org.
Have a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRA) appointment with a BIO5 Institute member at the time the application is submitted.
Be in good standing with UArizona (safety training, ethics training, etc.).
Cannot have previously been awarded the BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship.

The BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship application should be written for a general scientific audience. Avoid the use of technical language when possible so that reviewers from a broad range of disciplines can understand the content. The application has three main components:

Narrative (800 word maximum) that explains:

Proposed research training or project (nature, duration, logistics, etc.) that the funds will be used to support

How the research training or project will enhance your independence
How the successful completion of the research training or project will advance your career
Suggested mentoring plan, including the three-person mentoring committee

Biosketch

Use NSF, NIH, or agency style suitable to your area of research.

Letter of Support from applicant’s primary UArizona mentor.

Must include confirmation of the PRA through the full period of the BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship and be aware that this letter and the relationship between mentee, mentor, and mentor team is part of the judged criteria.

Review of the BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship applications will be based on:

Overall merit of the proposal for enhancing the applicants research skills
Strength of advancement of applicants independence and career goals
Described mentoring plan
Mentor’s letter of support/recommendation

The budget for the BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship is up to $5,000 and can be used for:

Workshop/Conference registration fee
Travel expenses (airfare, lodging, meals)
Software or hardware (as allowable by UArizona policy, note that no laptops or inventoried items are allowed on these funds)

Society dues (as allowable by UArizona policy)
Research and project supplies