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NURTURE Post-doctoral Scholars Program

The application opens on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.  
Applications have been extended and are due Friday, March 8, 2024, at 11:59 PM CT. 

 

Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, McCormick School of Engineering, and Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences invite applications from qualified candidates to fill postdoctoral positions offered through the NURTURE Post-doctoral Scholars Program. We are seeking exceptional candidates from all disciplines with research interest in, and expertise relevant to, any of the following research areas: Cancer, Cardiovascular, and Brain, Mind, and Behavior with a cross-cutting theme in each area of Cells to Community.

This postdoctoral training program is intended to develop scientists committed to inclusive excellence who will be competitive in applying to faculty positions at Northwestern, including potentially for Northwestern’s NIH FIRST Program appointments. The fellowship is a postdoctoral training program of up to two years. The award includes $65,000/year plus fringe benefits. Fellows will be paired with Northwestern faculty mentors and will be supported by a nurturing ecosystem of peers, community networks, and well-established, successful career development opportunities. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2024.

Eligibility

Applicants to the Fall 2024 program must have received a doctorate or terminal degree in April 2020 or later; those applicants without a doctorate or terminal degree must demonstrate that they will receive such a degree no later than August 2024. Applicants must also demonstrate potential for conducting high-level research as well as a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusive excellence. We especially encourage applications by members of groups underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, engineering, physical, and social sciences.

Application Process

To apply, submit a curriculum vitae; a brief personal statement; a statement of research interests and plans; a statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and the names of three individuals who can provide a letter of recommendation. All materials must be submitted at https://redcap.link/NURTUREPostDoc2024. The application deadline is Friday, March 8, 2024, at 11:59 PM CT, and letters of recommendation must be received by Friday, March 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM CT.

Apply Here

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q: How do I apply?

  • Applicants must submit an online application. Application materials include :
    • An application form
    • CV
    • Research Statement: a 2-page statement that includes a brief description of your dissertation research and a more detailed proposal for the project(s) you will pursue during the fellowship, including an explanation of the broader impacts of the research and your own long-term plans
    • Personal Statement: a brief 1 page personal statement explaining how your research agenda, training, and background equip you to contribute to the diversity and inclusive excellence of the Northwestern University community and that describes your commitment and contributions to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, including any relevant research, teaching, and/or service.
    • 3 Letters of Recommendation: submit names and contact information for three references who will receive a system-generated email (from nurture@northwestern.edu) with instructions for uploading a letter of recommendation. 

Q: What are the program expectations?

  • Each fellow is expected to pursue original research and make progress on new work that is distinct from the dissertation. 
  • Fellows are expected to be in residence in Illinois for the duration of the fellowship, with work taking place on designated campus locations for the majority (3 days) of the work week. For more information, please refer to Northwestern's Policy on Workplace Strategies.
  • Fellows are expected to participate in the activities of the NURTURE including but not limited to research seminars and career development workshops.
  • Fellows will be asked to participate in evaluating the program, which includes participating in brief, annual career surveys for up to 10 years. 

Q: What is the duration of the fellowship?

  • The fellowship is a two-year postdoctoral training program.

Q:  How many positions are available? 

  • Two NURTURE postdoctoral fellows will be selected per year.

Q:  How is this program related to the NIH's Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) Program?

  • Through a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund’s Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) Program, Northwestern University Recruitment to Transform Under-Representation and achieve Equity (NURTURE) is an initiative to build an exceptional community of Northwestern biomedical scientists committed to inclusive excellence. With support from the Office of the Provost, the NURTURE Post-doctoral Scholars Initiative is a companion to the NIH FIRST Program NURTURE at Northwestern University.
Eligibility Questions

Q: Who is eligible to apply?

  • Applicants to the Fall 2024 program must have received a doctorate or terminal degree in April 2020 or later; those applicants without a doctorate or terminal degree must demonstrate that they will receive such a degree no later than August 2024.
  • Northwestern is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, disability unrelated to job requirements, genetic information, military service, or another protected status. We are strongly committed to creating and supporting a diverse workforce. We especially encourage applications by members of groups underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, engineering, physical, and social sciences.

Q: What disciplines are eligible?

  • Scholars in any field related to Cancer, Cardiovascular, or Brain, Mind, and Behavior are eligible. Please contact nurture@northwestern.edu if you have questions about fit.

Q: Do you accept applications from foreign nationals?

  • Yes, however, any appointment at Northwestern is contingent upon obtaining appropriate visa status, and the US government is the final arbiter of all immigration-related cases. The Northwestern Office of International Student and Scholar Services may be available to help individuals obtain temporary visa status to work at Northwestern.
Application Questions

Q: Should I identify a particular faculty with whom I would like to work?

  • Applicants can indicate on the application form the names of specific Northwestern faculty member(s). However, this is not required. The NURTURE Program team will select appropriate mentors.

Q: What information should I include in the Personal Statement?

  • The Personal Statement is a brief 1-page statement explaining how your research agenda, training, and background equip you to contribute to the diversity and inclusive excellence of the Northwestern University community. Include an explanation of your commitment and contributions to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, including any relevant research, teaching, and/or service. 

Q: What information should I include in the Research Statement?

  • The Research Statement is a 2-page statement that includes a brief description of your dissertation research and a more detailed proposal for the project(s) you will pursue during the fellowship, including an explanation of the broader impacts of the research and your own long-term plans). Your research statement should outline what you hope to accomplish in the two years of your postdoc.
  • You can propose more than one project in your research statement if you plan to carry out multiple projects to address your research goals.  

Q: Do you require a specific format for the Personal Statement and Research Statement?

  • There is not a specific page format but we recommend that you use single space with 1-inch margins.
  • You can include citation/reference lists (bibliographies) if you are citing published work to explain your own research. You can use any style for formatting citations/references. The reference list does not count toward the page limit.
  • All materials, including letters of recommendation, must be in English. 

Q: Who should I contact about technical difficulties or questions about my application?

  • Please email nurture@northwestern.edu. Please include as much information as possible, including the text (or screenshots) of any error messages.
Letters of Recommendation Questions

Q: How does the letter of recommendation component of the application work?

  • Applicants will list the names and email addresses of three referees. A system-generated email (from nurture@northwestern.edu with instructions for uploading a letter of recommendation) will go out to each of the 3 email addresses immediately upon the applicant Submitting or Saving the application. Therefore, applicants should not insert names or email addresses in the letter of recommendation section of the application form until they are ready for their recommenders to receive a system-generated email with instructions for uploading their letter of recommendation. 
  • We recommend that applicants alert their referees about the letter of recommendation deadline (11:59 PM CT, Friday, March 15, 2024) well in advance, and to let them know to look for an email message from nurture@northwestern.edu. 
  • Referees should follow the instructions in the email received from nurture@northwestern.edu for uploading their letter. Letters should be uploaded in PDF format.
  • Upon Submitting the application form or selecting "Save & Return Later", applicants will receive an email with a unique link to access their application and track the status of their letters of recommendation.
  • Applications that are missing letters will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for review.
Interview & Selection Process Questions

Q: What is the timeline for decisions?

  • We will typically make our first-round decisions ('short list') in early April, and at that time, we will notify all applicants of their status. The committee meets to select 'finalists' (initial offerees and waitlist) in mid/late April. All remaining applicants will be notified at that time. The hiring process can extend into May-June, as this involves back-and-forth discussions with candidates.

Q: Is there any interview process for this fellowship?

  • Yes, applicants selected for the first-round ('short list') will be invited to interview with selection committee members and potential mentors.

Q: How will I know if you have received my application?

  • You will receive a confirmation email from the NURTURE Program (nurture@northwestern.edu) with a link to access your application and track the status of your letters of recommendation.
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