January 13-17, 2025 | Vol. 11, Issue 2
In this issue:
- ORISE Summer Internship Showcase
- Scientist Mentoring Diversity Program
- NIH Fellowship Information Session
- NIH [F]ellowship Writing Club
- Graduate Assistantship - Office of Residential Life and Housing Services
- Childcare Grant for PhD Students
ORISE Summer Internship Showcase
Thursday, January 16 | 1-3pm | Virtual (on the Brazen platform)
Looking for a summer internship in STEM? Join us to learn about summer 2025 opportunities available through ORISE! During this virtual event, a live informational session will provide a high-level overview of the featured programs. After the presentation, representatives will be available for 1-on-1 chats to answer your program-specific questions. If you have any questions, contact us at ORISEVirtualEvents@orau.org.
Scientist Mentoring Diversity Program
Wednesday, January 22 | 12:00pm-1:00pm | CEL Classroom 2-7544
Come and learn about SMDP Biotech and SMDP MedTech. What is SMDP? The one-year career mentoring program connects ethnically diverse students (Undergraduate Juniors and Seniors, Baccalaureate, Master’s, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researchers) and early-career professionals with industry mentors from companies in the medical technology, biotechnology, and consumer healthcare industries.
NIH Fellowship Information Session
Thursday, January 23 | 9:30-11:30am | Louise Slaughter Room (1-9555)
NOTE: New date, time and location
Elaine Smolock, Director of Writing Services and Grant Development in myHub will present fundamental information about how to apply, prepare, and plan to write an NIH Fellowship. This seminar is intended for predoc and postdoc fellows who are interested in learning about NIH Fellowships. Information about F-clubs will also be provided at these sessions. Coffee and Snacks will be provided.
IMPORTANT:
There are new guidelines for NIH Fellowships. These changes will be discussed at this meeting.
NIH [F]ellowship Writing Club
New and improved for Spring 2025! myHub within Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) will again host an “F-Club”, which will serve as a writing support group for individuals interested in writing applications for F awards. The club will meet in person every other Thursday at 2p beginning on Februayr 6, 2025. All participants will have access to the myHub Archer Career Grant Writing Modules titled “Pathway to Fellowship” before the club begins. If you would like to take part in myHub’s “F-Club,” please fill out this survey by January 30, 2025. If you have further question, contact Elaine Smolock
| Job/Internship Opportunities |
Sarepta - Internships
Now accepting Summer 2025 Internship Program applications. Sarepta is a commercial-stage biotechnology company with leadership positions in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophies. The company, which has four marketed products and a deep pipeline of programs in various stages of development, offers paid internships for college and graduate students majoring in STEM as well as non-science disciplines. Interns are introduced to Sarepta’s business, research and culture through hands-on learning, independent projects, and a seminar series that exposes them to the roles and responsibilities of major functions within a biotech company.
Program Research Specialist II - Department of Health/Health Research
The Program Research Specialist II (PRSII) will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and will contribute to biomonitoring studies that examine the relationship between exposure to PFAS and other environmental contaminants and human health outcomes. The Program Research Specialist II will support staff in all aspects of the biomonitoring studies including generating reports, revising and reviewing study materials, generate clinical test results and carry out a complex study protocol.
Assistant Research Scientist - Department of Health/Health Research
The Assistant Research Scientist will join a team of public health professionals that are responsible for a biomonitoring project that will examine the relationship between exposure to PFAS in drinking water and multiple health outcomes. The incumbent will provide support and assist the project team with various tasks including drafting project documents for publication, assisting with study design activities, data collection activities, tracking participant enrollment, engaging with project stakeholders and the public, data cleaning and analysis and other appropriate related duties.
Graduate Assistantship - Office of Residential Life and Housing Services
Graduate Assistantships under the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services are currently open, and applications are being accepted for the 2025-2026 academic year. Priority will be given to those who apply by March 14th, 2025. All are part time, and most of them come with compensation that includes a stipend, partial meal plan, and a fully furnished apartment. Any questions can be directed to GradAssistantSelection@UR.Rochester.edu
Open Scholarship Award applications for PhD students
The Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs and Open Scholarship Community Rochester collaborated this year to create the Open Scholarship Awards, a new incentive for PhD students that celebrates those who demonstrated exemplary efforts in making their research open and accessible to the wider community. Applications for these awards are now open and due on February 28 at 11:59 p.m. Up to 15 prizes are available to students from all disciplines in five domains: physical and natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, arts and humanities, and medical sciences.
Wilmot Predoctoral Fellowship Program
The program provides support for cancer research training for emerging scientists, with the goal of enabling them to build an independent career in the investigation of the causes, diagnosis, treatment, prevention or management of cancer or its side effects. Wilmot predoctoral fellowships, open to PhD or MD/PhD students under the mentorship of a Wilmot Cancer Institute member, provide two years of support. Click on the picture below to apply.
Rochester Medical Orchestra
Calling all medical musicians! If you play—or once played—a classical instrument, join us for the reprise of the Rochester Medical Orchestra, launching Summer 2025! This group fosters joy, well-being, and community through music and welcomes all skill levels—whether you're a seasoned player or reconnecting with your instrument. Not sure about your schedule? No problem! Fill out the survey to stay in the loop. Reach out to Isabella Cantor with any questions.
Childcare grant for PhD students
Are you a full-time PhD student? Do you have a child or children aged newborn through six years old? If yes to both questions, you may apply for the University’s childcare grant for PhD students. More information can be found on the program web page, which includes an overview of the program, eligibility requirements, and an FAQ, as well as a link to the application portal, which is open Wednesday, January 1, through Friday, January 31, for the spring 2025 grant. Email childcaregrant@rochester.edu with questions.
Post-doc position at Rutgers (New Brunswick)
The Sampath lab is actively looking for a postdoc to join the group immediately, for a position that is funded for at least 2 years. We are particularly interested in the regulation of systemic metabolic health by dietary and cellular lipids, especially saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, cellular processing of these lipids, and intra- and inter-organ communication by lipids. Recent studies are focused on intestinal sensing and processing of lipids and regulation of systemic metabolic health by intestine-derived signals, including lipids, enteroendocrine hormones, and the gut microbiome. Interested PhD students/degree holders should send a CV and cover letter to harini.sampath@rutgers.edu
Graduate Research Assistantship - Virginia Tech
The application deadline is January 15, 2025.
Seeking a highly motivated and collaborative PhD student to join our Public Interest Technology Lab at Virginia Tech. The PhD student will join a highly collaborative multi-institutional team of faculty, students, and stakeholders. Individuals with interests in science, technology, and society, biopsychosocial implications of digital technologies, sustainability, resilience, or social and environmental justice are encouraged to apply. For more information and directions on how to apply, click the link below.
Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program Recruitment and Information Fair
Thursday, January 23 | 1-3:30am | Virtual (on the Brazen platform)
Join us for a virtual event showcasing the Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program! During the event, program representatives and research topic authors will be on hand to answer your questions in 1-on-1 chats. If you have any questions, contact us at ORISEVirtualEvents@orau.org.
UCLA Bio-Launch Program
The application deadline is Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 11:59 PST.
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs in the UCLA Biosciences invites you to apply to UCLA Bio-Launch, a recruitment initiative for bioscience researchers. This program includes professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and a faculty matching service. You are eligible to apply if you are an advanced PhD student, a recent PhD graduate, or an early-career postdoc scholar. Prospective postdocs from groups traditionally marginalized in the biosciences and/or from disadvantage backgrounds are encouraged to apply. There is no citizenship requirement to apply. Check out the website to learn more about the program. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out.
Considering Postdoctoral Opportunities in Pharma?
If you're looking to make a transition from academia to industry, now is a great time to explore postdoctoral roles within the pharmaceutical sector. Several leading companies offer tailored postdoctoral programs designed to bridge your academic experience with industry application. These roles provide invaluable hands-on experience and mentorship as you prepare for a career in pharma. Explore these programs:
• Pfizer Postdoctoral Program
• Novartis Graduate Opportunities
• Takeda Fellowship Programs
Take advantage of these opportunities to deepen your skills, expand your network, and work at the forefront of biomedical innovation.
SHIFT Program 2025
The application cycle for the Short Course in Transferable Skills Training (SHIFT) Program is now open. This program is available to PhD students in biomedical research programs across the US, with all costs covered by an NIGMS R25 grant. The application deadline is January 31st, 2025. The program flyer and FAQs are attached.
2025 Philadelphia Postdoc Preview
Tuesday, February 11 | 12:00-3:30pm | Virtual
The Philadelphia Postdoc Preview will take place virtually on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, will include introductions to the participating institutions and will provide information on what it is like to live and work in Philadelphia. In addition, current postdocs from across the institutions will share their experiences. If you have any questions, please reach out to PhiladelphiaPostdoc@gmail.com.
| NSF I-Corps Regional Course Information |
MECCC
NSF I-Corps Regional Courses are for university-based STEM researchers and early-stage startup founders who are interested in exploring the market potential of their work and learning entrepreneurial skills. Participants learn to apply “customer discovery” methodology to evaluate the potential for translating their technology innovation from the lab into a successful product and/or service.
Savannah Moritzky, PhD is a 2022 graduate of our Translational Biomedical Science program and now works as a scientist at HDT Bio in Seattle.
She joins The Next Step to talk about getting her first job at a biotech start-up across the country, where she had no established network. She shares what it truly means to "wear many hats" at a young company, what qualities they look for in applicants now that she's part of the decision-making process, and much more.
Full episode is out now on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify
Accommodations
The University of Rochester is committed to providing inclusive experiences and equal access to programs and services. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, please contact Mary Beth Kitzel. In all situations, a good faith effort (up until the time of the event) will be made to provide accommodations.
OTE Submission Information
Submissions for the weekly Monday edition of OTE are due by Thursday at 5:00 pm. Please submit materials to myHub@urmc.rochester.edu.
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