QCB Postdoctoral Fellowship Program: The Center for Quantitative Cell Biology offers several postdoctoral fellowship opportunities to support outstanding scientists. These fellowships provide a unique opportunity for selected scholars to engage in a two-year interdisciplinary research fellowship while advancing the research of QCB.
Designation: Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Area: Fellowships are open to any U.S. applicant and to non-U.S. applicants affiliated with our partner institutions. Core QCB research areas include:
- Whole Cell Modeling
- Subcellular Dynamics using MINFLUX
- Spatial Chemical Composition using label-free-IR imaging
- Converting cryo-electron tomograms into images for WCMs and Minecraft
- Studies on organelles in selected organisms connected to points 1-4 above
- Integration with other QCB programs to increase impact
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Have earned a PhD within the 10 years prior to the application deadline or expect to earn a PhD on or before September 1, 2024.
- Propose research in one of the core QCB areas.
- Be willing to complete volunteer education service hours as required of NSF Science and Technology Centers.
- U.S. citizens, permanent residents (Green Card holders), and non-U.S. citizens affiliated with our partner institutions are eligible to apply.
Job Description: QCB Fellows will receive a starting annual salary of $56,000, with an inflation increase to an annual salary of $57,680 the second year, along with allowances for pre-approved research travel. Fellows will engage in cutting-edge research aligned with QCB’s core areas and contribute to the broader impact, diversity, and outreach goals.
How to Apply: Candidates must complete the online application form, providing a curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation, a two-page research proposal, a representative paper or extended dissertation abstract, and a faculty support letter. Letters of recommendation must be submitted directly by the recommenders as PDF files to QCB by the application deadline. The application deadline is March 1, 2024. For full application instructions, email questions to qcb_postdocs@beckman.illinois.edu.
Last Date for Apply: March 1, 2024
Table 1: Core QCB Research Areas
| Core Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Whole Cell Modeling | Improve WCMs for bacteria, yeast, and eukaryotic cells, and connections to established MD (e.g., Martini, Gromacs, NAMD) and analysis programs (e.g., VMD) |
| Subcellular Dynamics using MINFLUX | Data acquisition and new data/analysis tools |
| Spatial Chemical Composition using label-free-IR | Imaging |
| Converting cryo-electron tomograms into images | for WCMs and Minecraft |
| Studies on organelles in selected organisms | Connected to points 1-4 above |
| Integration with other QCB programs | Increase impact (e.g., summer school, workshops, Minecraft development, collaboration with our MSI partners) |
Table 2: Application Process Checklist
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Fill out application form (required) | Complete the online application form and submit supporting documents in PDF format, including CV, proposal, representative paper or abstract, and faculty letter of support. |
| Curriculum vitae (required) | Submit as a PDF file with the application form. No length limit. |
| Letters of recommendation (2 required) | List names and email addresses for recommenders. They must submit their letters directly as PDF files to QCB by the deadline. |
| Proposal (required, 2 pages maximum) | Prepare a PDF file describing the proposed research, including collaborating STC QCB faculty and plans for broader impact, diversity, and outreach. |
| Faculty support statements (< 1 page) | Combine signed statements into a one-page PDF to upload with the application. |
| Representative paper or extended dissertation | If published, select one paper as a PDF file; if not, submit an extended abstract of the dissertation (not to exceed five pages). |
| Tips for a successful application | – Start early – Find STB QCB faculty supporters – Contact Dr. Sharlene Denos for broader impact plans – Proofread thoroughly – Email qcb_postdocs@beckman.illinois.edu for questions |
