About Michigan Pioneer Fellows
The Medical School, College of Pharmacy, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Life Sciences Institute at the University of Michigan have partnered to offer the Michigan Pioneer Fellows program, a highly competitive postdoctoral fellowship program to enhance the research program of the entire life sciences enterprise at Michigan.
The Michigan Pioneer Fellows program provides financial and mentoring support to highly motivated and accomplished post-doctoral fellows bound for research-intensive careers. The program offers competitive salary and financial resources, and provides mentorship focused on nurturing and launching innovative scientists into groundbreaking careers.
APPOINTMENT
Fellows are appointed full-time for a 12-month period, with the expectation that the appointment will be renewed each year for three years.
Fellows will join a research group within the U-M Medical School, College of Pharmacy, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, or the Life Sciences Institute. Fellows are strongly encouraged to indicate an interest in working within a collaborative environment, with more than one PI.
For the cohort beginning in 2023-2024, the fellowship includes an annual stipend corresponding to 120% of the NIH pay scale for postdoctoral fellows. In addition, a sum of $15,000 will be placed under the control of the fellow to cover expenses related to the attendance of scientific meetings, specific research endeavors, training and professional development.
Fellows also receive a subsidized health and dental plan for the fellow and their dependents, and optional life insurance. For more information, visit Academic Human Resources.
Starting dates for the fellowship are negotiable.
Research fellows Alex Knights, Ph.D. (above) and Amanda Erwin, Ph.D. (below)
ELIGIBILITY
We are seeking early-career researchers of exceptional promise in the biological sciences — all major subfields are of interest.
Applicants must be less than one year post-degree (Ph.D., M.D., Pharm.D., M.D./Ph.D., or Pharm.D./Ph.D.) at the time of application, or graduate students in the final year of their doctoral degree. Degree confirmation must be provided prior to the start of the fellowship. This can include applicants who are currently in their first year of postdoctoral research in a U-M lab.
Applicants from the University of Michigan who seek to work in the same lab in which they undertook their doctoral work are not eligible.
International students are welcome to apply. International applicants who have just completed their degree will be expected to take advantage of the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) training time allowed or STEM status, if applicable. Those not eligible for F-1 OPT will be assisted in obtaining a visa.
The program is open to all, and women, first-generation college students and minorities underrepresented in the sciences are strongly encouraged to apply. (U-M nondiscrimination policy)
Professional Development
Fellows will be assisted in forming a mentoring committee composed of their primary mentor(s), and at least two other leading scientists in their field.
Fellows will meet monthly with the Program Directors for career development workshops and scientific discussions.
Fellows will participate in rigorous grant writing workshops for transition awards and K-fellowships.
The program will support fellows with additional training in a broad set of skills necessary for a successful career in research, including scientific writing, oral presentation, lab management and applying for jobs.
Fellows presenting at a poster session
History
In 2023, Michigan Life Sciences Fellows and Michigan Pioneer Postdoctoral Program combined to form the Michigan Pioneer Fellows. These two programs merged to provide maximum professional growth, mentorship and collaborative opportunities to participants. Combined, these two programs offer postdoctoral fellows unique opportunities to interact and grow with a cohort of peers, while receiving both the independence to pursue their scientific projects and the necessary support to develop as scientific leaders.