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NCI Postdoc Recruitment Event (PRE)

THE APPLICATION CYCLE FOR 2024 WILL OPEN IN LATE FALL

I am still early in the search process, but having access to NCI PIs for interviews as well as this program has been helpful in kickstarting my postdoc search!

Former participant

The Postdoc Recruitment Event (PRE) (formerly known as the Graduate Student Recruiting Program) provides doctoral candidates the opportunity to explore postdoctoral opportunities at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The goals of PRE are to support doctoral candidates during their career exploration and raise awareness of the rich training environment and unique resources available at NCI.

As part of the program, accepted applicants will:

  1. Network with Principal Investigators and laboratory personnel, current fellows, and Training Directors to learn more about research conducted at NCI;
  2. Discover professional development, career exploration, and funding opportunities that NCI offers to help postdoctoral fellows succeed in their future career paths; and
  3. Visit the NIH/NCI campuses and tour select research facilities.

 

Graph showing PRE candidate outcomes: 54% are postdoc in academia, 40% are current NCI postdocs, and 6% are in other careers.

The goals of PRE are to support doctoral candidates during their career exploration and raise awareness of the rich training environment and unique resources available at NCI. Participants receive guidance on how to conduct interviews, opportunities to meet one-on-one with NCI investigators and funding program directors and begin to establish a network within NCI. While PRE does not guarantee a postdoc position, over 50% of the participants receive official interviews as a direct result of the program. Over the last 5 years, 42% of participants who pursued a postdoc are/have completed their postdoc at the NCI.

 

Benefits of a Postdoc

  • Extensive professional  and career development opportunities 

  • Access to state-of-the-art research and equipment 

  • A variety of core facilities to assist with your experimental needs 

  • Fellow-led groups that foster community 

  • Career exploration resources and opportunities to transition to non-academic career paths 

The Q&A panel with current trainees allowed me to ask questions about the transition to a post-doc position, and I was even able to learn about different fellowships and communities that I could apply for.

Former participant

How to Apply

NCI is committed to training the next generation of scientific leaders, and it is crucial that this reflects the diversity of the population it serves. Candidates from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research (NOT-OD-20-031) are strongly encouraged to apply.

The application cycle is currently closed and will open in late fall.

For Additional Information 

If you have questions about the program, please contact ncipre@nih.gov 

 

Katherine Choe speaks with a fellow PRE participant about her research.

Credit: National Cancer Institute

Samuel Pellom discusses his poster with an NCI investigator.

Credit: National Cancer Institute
 
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