Alan Kanzer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at Columbia University

Description

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute unites world-class scientists across diverse academic disciplines to conduct groundbreaking research that transforms our understanding of the brain and its influence on the mind and behavior.

As a leading neuroscience institute, our mission is to decipher the mind and brain to better understand behavior. Our researchers are committed to foundational science, uncovering the principles that shape how the brain develops, functions, and recovers.

With more than 50 labs, the Zuckerman Institute serves as a hub for collaboration, bringing together Columbia's top scholars to drive research in bold new directions.

Located in Manhattanville, our state-of-the-art Jerome L. Greene Science Center provides an inspiring home for discovery in one of the world's most dynamic cities.

The Alan Kanzer Postdoctoral Fellowship at Columbia University provides an opportunity for talented, early-career scientists to pursue pioneering research into understanding the brain. Kanzer Fellows will be welcomed into the institute's vibrant intellectual community with broad-ranging collaboration opportunities. We welcome Fellows from a variety of neuroscience-related disciplines interested in carrying out collaborative research across the Zuckerman Institute under the mentorship of one or more faculty mentors in an all-inclusive learning environment.

Benefits

As integral members of the Zuckerman Institute's community of scientists, the Alan Kanzer Postdoctoral Fellows will benefit from:

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  An annual salary of $80,000 plus $5,000 of discretionary funds per year

  
  
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  Access to the institute'sscientific programsandresources for career and professional development

  
  
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  Access to the institute'scutting-edge space, equipment, facilities and services

  
  
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  Columbia University postdoctoral housing

  
  
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  Postdoctoral appointment for up to three years at Columbia University. Reappointment after year three is at the discretion of the Fellow's mentor(s), and dependent on funding and eligibility.

  
  

Qualifications

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  Applicants can be either US citizens or international individuals requiring VISA sponsorship*.

  
  
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  Fellows must enroll in the program between July 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027. Applicants may submit an application prior to defending their Ph.D. but must complete their Ph.D. and be eligible to be hired as a postdoctoral researcher prior to enrolling in the program.

  
  
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  Members of the Zuckerman Institute community (including Ph.D. students with ZI advisors or those who are employed as postdocs at the Institute at application deadline) are not eligible to apply.

  
  

*Consistent with Columbia University's International Scholars Students Office policies

A faculty committee will select applicants for fellowships based on their strong research achievements and clear future research goals. Examples of these include research publications and evidence of independent research accomplishments and innovation. Strong preference will be given to early-career applicants who will have received their Ph.D. less than one year prior to their start date. Applicants interested in working on projects across multiple mentors are strongly encouraged.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit the following:

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  A current Curriculum Vitae that includes papers that are published, in-press, or deposited in preprint servers (bioRxiv, medRxiv, arXiv, etc.).

  
  
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  A Research Interest Statement (1-2 pages) that includes their previous research experience, future research goals, and interests in a field relevant to the neuroscience research conducted at the Zuckerman Institute. The statement must specify the names of 2-3 potential mentors among the Zuckerman Institute faculty (those listedhere) that they would like to work with and can include ideas for potential collaborative projects - although highly-detailed, NIH-style proposals for research projects are not expected at this time. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to potential mentors before submitting their application.

  
  
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  A Cover Letter that articulates their motivation to join the Zuckerman Institute and become part of the Alan Kanzer Postdoctoral Fellows program. This should include a brief statement regarding their commitments to building community at their current institution and at the Zuckerman Institute.

  
  
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  Three letters of reference, one being from their PhD advisor.