Postdoctoral opportunities at the University of Pennsylvania

Announcing Postdoctoral Fellowships for Academic Diversity at the University of Pennsylvania:

1) Dr. Eduardo Fernandez-Duque (eduardof@sas.upenn.edu) is looking for postdoctoral fellows interested in joining the Owl Monkey Project, a multidisciplinary research program with an emphasis on understanding the evolution of monogamy and alloparental care. Over the years we have examined those central research questions with a multitude of approaches and data on genetics, endocrinology, demography, behavior, chronobiology and energetics taking advantage of a long-term study of wild owl monkeys in the Argentinean Chaco.
We are now looking for fellows who may be interested in developing a proposal for new lines of research or expanding existing ones that could be submitted for the Postdoctoral Fellowships for Academic Diversity recently announced by the University of Pennsylvania (see information below). The submission of the proposal needs to be done directly and independently by the applicant, but anyone interested in developing a proposal that would further develop our project can contact Dr. Eduardo Fernandez-Duque (eduardof@sas.upenn.edu) for further information

2) We are looking for postdoctoral fellows interested in a collaborative research project that combines anthropology, cellular/molecular biology, and circadian/sleep medicine to study a wide range of sleep-wakefulness phenotypes. This research will leverage cellular and animal models. Our long-term goal is to explore the architecture and genetics of diurnal and nocturnal sleep. We will use a primate model with unusual patterns of activity: the owl monkey (genus Aotus). Although diurnality is a signature feature among most primates, different species of the genus Aotus show full nocturnality or a mixture of diurnality and nocturnality (like humans). The project will initially take advantage of a long-term study of wild owl monkeys in the Argentinean Chaco, as well as captive populations in the US. During the first phase of the project, the applicant will have access to infrastructure and logistic support for field work in Argentina through Fernandez-Duque’s research and for cellular and molecular studies through Hogenesch’s lab. The applicant will also have access to resources and opportunities offered by the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology . Subsequently the research team will seek additional extramural funding.

Postdoctoral Fellowships for Academic Diversity at the University of Pennsylvania
Application deadline: August 1, 2011
http://www.upenn.edu/research/research_site/postdoc_diversity.html

Program Description:
The University of Pennsylvania (PENN) is dedicated to worldwide academic excellence and is enriched by individuals, who, through their different races and ethnicities, nationalities, gender identities, abilities, economic status, and sexual orientation, contribute to an intellectually challenging and inclusive educational setting. The Academic Diversity Fellowship Program seeks to attract promising scholars and educators from different backgrounds, races, ethnic groups, and other diverse groups whose life experience, research experience and employment background will contribute significantly to our academic excellence.

Eligibility:
The fellowships are available for postdoctoral training in all areas of study at the University and seek to attract graduate students from PENN and other institutions who have completed, or will complete their requirements for Ph.D. by their start date. In addition postdoctoral scholars from other institutions who have completed their dissertation within the last three years are eligible. Persons with professional degrees (such as M.D., D.M.D., V.M.D., J.D.) who are within a year of completing their post-degree professional training from Penn and other institutions will also be considered. Postoctoral research fellows who are already at Penn are not eligible. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents. Postdocs, residents and fellows who currently have a position at Penn are ineligible for this program.

Awards:
The three year fellowships will begin as early as January 2, 2012.

Stipends and Allowances:
Fellows receive a stipend of $43,000 in year 1 with $2,000 increments in years 2 and 3, as well as annual allowances for travel ($2,000) and research ($5,000), and one-time relocation expenses of $5,000. The University also provides a medical, vision, dental and life insurance benefits package. Successful candidates will receive highly mentored scholarly and research training as well as courses and workshops to enhance their research success skills and prepare them for a faculty position in a major university.

Selection Process:
A committee appointed by the Senior Vice Provost for Research will review and select the candidates for the Postdoctoral Fellowships for Academic Diversity.

Application Procedure:
Required application materials include:
(1) A completed fellowship application form,
(2) A curriculum vitae including current and pending publications
(3) A personal statement, no longer than three pages, which addresses the following:
• reviews your previous research accomplishments
• outlines your future research goals and proposed research
• describes your commitment to pursuing an academic career
• includes academic, employment or other life experiences that would bring new perspectives to the University community and your chosen field
4) Three letters of reference from people acquainted with the applicant’s work. One reference letter should be from the applicant's thesis advisor or faculty mentor. Reference letters must be submitted electronically on letterhead stationary. Email subject line should be applicant's name followed by the words reference letter, e.g. Jane Smith_ Reference letter.

All materials must be submitted electronically by August 1, 2011.
Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.
If you have any questions please contact Josie Rook, Executive Director, Office of the Vice Provost for Research at pdfellow@exchange.upenn.edu