About CHOP
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Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) was the first hospital devoted exclusively to the care of children in the United States, opening in 1855. CHOP has consistently been ranked as one of the best children’s hospitals by US News & World Report. In addition to world-class care, CHOP’s Research Institute is a leader in research and medical care and is dedicated to translating innovative research into outstanding patient care. Opening in 1922 in a single room in the basement of the hospital, the Research Institute is home to 22 specialized Core Facilities, 525 investigators, and 200+ postdoctoral fellows.
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Why train at CHOP?
Outstanding Research Community and Resources
The CHOP Research Institute’s “bench to bedside” approach to research has produced laboratory discoveries like personalized cellular immunotherapy treating childhood cancer, the development of new vaccines preventing disease globally, public polices improving children’s safety, and much more. CHOP connects researchers via 16 interdisciplinary Research Affinity Groups, 13 Centers of Emphasis, and 55 different Collaboratives which contribute to a vibrant and collaborative research ecosystem. The 22 Core Facilities provide state-of-the-art technologies, technical expertise and education to facilitate discovery, and support the research missions of our investigators.
Extensive Postdoc Support Resources
A Postdoctoral Fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is unlike any other. You will have access to world-class research mentors, facilities, and career development support through CHOP and the University of Pennsylvania to support your transition to an independent career in any sector. Learn more about what we have to offer here. The Office of Academic Training and Outreach Programs (ATOP), which serves as CHOP’s office of postdoctoral affairs, supports the next generation of pediatric researchers with engaging education and training experiences that promote innovation and scientific breakthroughs across the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia research community.
Academic Training facilitates a number of professional development opportunities annually and supports researchers-in-training across the spectrum of the scientific career ladder. Postdocs have access to:
- Career exploration internships, including the Advanced Career Exploration (ACE) Fellowship, which has promoted exploration of non-faculty careers for over 20 years.
- A wide variety of career development opportunities ranging from skill-building workshops to our highly regarded Career Mentoring Program to our extensive alumni network across disciplines, research areas, and sectors.
- The highly successful Grant Proposal Success Program leads researchers interested in pursuing grant funding through the process of preparing a grant submission.
- The Cell and Gene Therapy Training Program provides targeted training on the processes required to take a research concept related to cell and gene therapy from the bench to patients by addressing knowledge gaps and potential barriers for individuals that are currently involved or interested in these areas.
- Additionally, ATOP administers the Postdoc Annual Review process between postdocs and their research mentors, encouraging transparency and accountability in the PI-postdoc relationship.
- Close collaboration with University of Pennsylvania’s Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs (BPP) office gives CHOP postdocs access to even more professional and career development resources and opportunities.
Commitment to Diversity
CHOP views diversity as the key driver of achievement, particularly when innovation is critical. ATOP’s Specialty Programs and Diversity tier builds and supports a diverse research workforce and implements discipline-specific research programs in scientific areas outlined in the CHOP Research Institute Strategic Plan. A number of institutionally-funded programs have been established to support researchers with diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences:
- The established Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Academic Diversity program, which you can learn more about below, funds postdoctoral fellows from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
- The Bridge to Faculty Program supports CHOP based PhD or MD/PhD postdoctoral fellows and early-stage scientists from historically underrepresented groups by 1) positioning program participants to be competitive for tenure track positions 2) supporting them during the application and interview process and 3) preparing them for the rigorous expectations of a tenure track faculty position driving advancement and promotion. The program is funded by the CHOP Research Institute and is similar in structure to the K99 portion of the K99/R00.
- The Building Excellence in STEM Together (BEST) Program is a new funding opportunity to support events, projects, or programs that have the potential to enhance diversity, promote equity, and foster inclusion in STEM across the Research Institute and among trainees, faculty, staff, and administrators, and the surrounding community. The grants provide modest resources, with a preference for projects with the most significant potential for impact.
Full Employee Benefits
Research Postdoctoral Fellows at CHOP are considered full employees and are eligible for full benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement savings plans, and parental leave. Read more about employee benefits here. Postdocs funded on T32 Training grants may have a different benefits structure.
How to Apply to Postdoc Positions at CHOP
Interested candidates can see Laboratories that are currently recruiting, denoted by a magnifying glass icon, on the CHOP Laboratories page. Open postdoctoral positions are posted on the CHOP Careers page. However, due to updates, the Career page will be down until February 13. Please complete this interest form, selecting 'Research', if you are reaching out prior to February 13.
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Academic Diversity
CHOP views diversity as the key driver of achievement, particularly when innovation is critical. The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Academic Diversity at CHOP partners with the University of Pennsylvania’s (Penn’s) Provost Fellowship Program, which are competitive programs with a common goal of increasing the diversity of the scholar community at both CHOP and Penn. Both organizations, though independent entities, partner to fund these Fellowship programs to attract promising researchers and educators from different backgrounds, races, ethnic groups, and other diverse populations whose life experience, research experience, and employment background will contribute significantly to their academic missions.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply to the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Academic Diversity. Applications open annually in August
Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply to the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Academic Diversity. Applications open annually in August
About CHOP’s Postdoc Communities
CHOP postdocs have access to two postdoc-led communities: the CHOP Postdoc Alliance(CPA) and Postdocs for Diversity in Science(PDS). CHOP Postdocs are also encouraged to participate in the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Postdoctoral Association (PPA).
Need more information?
Learn more about training at CHOP here
Questions? Email Olivia Chesniak, Ph.D., Senior Programs Officer, at [email protected].
Questions? Email Olivia Chesniak, Ph.D., Senior Programs Officer, at [email protected].
