Scientific and career mentoring
All Cell Biology postdocs have opportunities to interact with departmental faculty in a variety of settings, including social hour, journal clubs, scientific workshops, career development workshops, and retreats. You will also be able to meet with prominent researchers invited to speak in our department, including via our Thursday Cell Bio Seminar Series and our Wednesday Cell Bio & Disease Seminar Series. We host numerous career development events, including career panels for those pursing academic or non-academic positions, as well as practice chalk talks for those on the academic job market.
Postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to choose a secondary faculty mentor soon after arrival. This secondary mentor can be a faculty member within or outside the department and will complement the primary mentor's role by providing additional scientific and career development and networking opportunities.
Postdoc positions in faculty labs
Listing of open positions may be found on our Careers webpage, the HMS/HSDM Office for Postdoctoral Fellows webpage, and/or individual lab websites.
Additional career resources
The HMS/HSDM Office for Postdoctoral Fellows is a great resource for the broader postdoctoral community. This office works to enhance the development and experiences of the postdoctoral community by assisting them to make the most of their training period and equip them with the skills necessary to pursue academic and non-academic careers.
Other postdoctoral opportunities
Goldberg Fellows
Prof. of Cell Biology, 1969 - 2023
Postdoctoral fellows working in a Quad-based lab in the Cell Biology department may apply to become a Goldberg Fellow, which is supported by the Cell Biology Education and Fellowship Fund. This fund was established in 2018 through a generous gift from Alfred and Joan Goldberg to Harvard University. In addition to supporting a range of educational activities including symposia and special lectures, this gift provides funding for two postdoctoral fellowships each year. Fellows may be studying any area of cell biology, ranging from mechanistic analysis of cellular processes to the development, function, and dynamics of complex biological systems.
Robin Reed Memorial Scholarship and Travel Award
Prof. of Cell Biology,
1989 - 2022
This fellowship was established in 2022 by the Department of Cell Biology to honor the late Dr. Robin Reed and her dedication to the educational mission. This fellowship supports the professional development of postdoctoral fellows studying any area of cell biology, ranging from mechanistic analysis of cellular processes to the development, function, and dynamics of complex biological systems. The fellowship includes travel funds.
Throughout the year graduate students and postdocs are invited to apply for the Robin Reed Travel Award. Awards may be applied towards meeting registration fees, travel, lodging, meals, and other related expenses.
Advanced Microscopy Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Microscopy facilities staffed with PhD-level imaging scientists who advise and train researchers on imaging experimental design, the best instruments to use for their experiments, and proper use of instruments have become essential sources of expertise in many research institutions, and core facility management has become a stimulating career path for scientists with experience in advanced quantitative microscopy techniques and an interest in facilitating science broadly. This novel fellowship program was first developed in 2014 by our Nikon Imaging Center and has now served as model for fellowship programs around the world. Apply through the Microfellows Program.