Academic Research


Success in Academic Research careers requires a strong record of original scientific research, funding acquisition, and publication in respected, high impact academic journals.

The Professional Development and Career Office offers a variety of resources for postdocs interested in pursuing careers in academic and government research, including workshops and online resources on applying for academic careers and navigating USAJobs, grant writing workshops, and much, much more.

For PhDs looking to continue their careers in academic research, be sure to check out PDCO’s Finding a Postdoc Week held annually in June and our powerpoint resource on Finding the Right Postdoc.

Gain Skills and Experience

R3 PhD Courses

R3 PhD Courses provide a forum for critical thinking across the science disciplines. R3 courses are designed for all students in the health & life sciences, technology & engineering!

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Center for Leadership Education

The Center for Leadership Education houses the Program in Entrepreneurship and Management and the Professional Communication Program. Both programs offer a range of writing-intensive courses which focus on writing for business, industry, and science at the graduate-level.

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Funding Sources

Need funding to support your scientific research? Click here to explore funding opportunities for students, postdoctoral trainees, and career scientists.

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Institute for Clinical and Translational Research: K-to-R Grant Review

The “K-to-R” Transition Program was implemented in response to the growing need to enhance the transition from mentored career development awards (K’s) to independent awards (R’s). The ICTR’s Training, Education, & Career Development Programs has partnered with the Office of Faculty Development and the Professional Development and Career Office to provide oversight, support, resources, and networking opportunities for K-level mentored awardees.

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The Academic Career Readiness University of California, San Francisco

The Academic Career Readiness Assessment (ACRA) framework is a tool developed by the Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) with a grant from Burroughs Wellcome Fund to help biomedical postdoctoral scholars explore, plan for and apply to faculty careers at different types of institutions.

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ORISE Fellowship

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) connects the most talented and diverse students, recent graduates, faculty and educators to programs closely aligned with the interests of a variety of research facilities, including those managed for the U.S. Department of Energy and more than a dozen other federal agencies.

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