Application Network
Application Network - Connecting Prospective Postdoctoral Scholars with Principal Investigators
The traditional process for attaining postdoctoral positions are both reaching out to principal investigators/faculty members with whom you are interested in working with and/or searching available postdoctoral positions posted on job boards (such as Nature Careers, Science Careers or the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, among several others).
To streamline and maximize the search outcomes for postdoc positions within the Medical School, The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will soon launch an internal application system that will serve to connect mentors with the applicants to determine best fit. The system would be of great benefit to graduate students in the late stages of their studies and are wanting to establish their interests with training at one of our Centers, Institutes, Programs or Departments.
The application network system is in development and expected to go live in March 2024.
Please e-mail the GPS office for any questions: gps-office@umn.edu
How does the Application Network work?
The Application Network allows postdoctoral prospective to submit an application up-to 1 year prior to when they are ready to initiate their postdoctoral training. The submitted complete application is sent into our system that allows principal investigators, faculty mentors, and our Centers, Institutes and Programs (CIPs) members to review applications.
The system uses an algorithm to match research interests, experience, and qualifications between prospective postdoctoral trainee applicants and faculty mentors. Applicants may also enter several faculty member names as key words to help match with specific research laboratories in the Medical School. Upon a match, the applicant receives notice of interest and the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies helps to facilitate interviews and selections.
Items required for the application:
CV
Cover Letter
Research Statement
References from 3 Faculty Mentors
How to Find Postdoc
Start with your research interests and career aspirations
Search the various Centers, Institutes and Departments in the Medical School
Best practices for reaching out to potential principal investigators
Request, schedule and preparing for interviews
Key discussions to have with your potential principal investigator/faculty mentor
Why do a postdoc?
The first step to finding the right postdoc is to understand your long-term career goals. While the postdoc can be an opportunity to transition to a related field, be realistic about the amount of time it will take to be productive in the new field. Thinking about the following questions can help you focus on finding a postdoc that is well suited for your needs:
- Do you want to work at a teaching-intensive institution or a major research center?
- Are you planning to look for a job in industry or with the government?
- What research questions are you interested in pursuing?
- Are there additional skills you would like to develop during your postdoc?