About Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Founded in 1901 as Pennsylvania’s first co-educational medical school, the Lewis Katz School of Medicine has a national reputation for training humanistic clinicians and biomedical researchers. The school attracts students, faculty, and scientists committed to making a difference in patient care, research, education, and public service – at home and internationally. The medical school and Temple University Hospital, our main clinical training site, provide advanced tertiary- and quaternary-level care for people from across the region. The school also collaborates with other member hospitals and specialty centers of the Temple University Health System. The School of Medicine is part of Temple University Health System, a $1.6 billion enterprise that includes four hospitals and more than 50 outpatient facilities across the Philadelphia region. Additionally, the School of Medicine is a program of Temple University, an R1 research institution with world-class graduate and undergraduate programs.
Why Train At Lewis Katz School of Medicine?
As a postdoc at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, you will receive exceptional training and support at a leading-edge research institution. With myriad options for clinical partnerships, a long record of pioneering advances, and a drive to improve lives, we offer unparalleled opportunities for promising young scientists.
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is one of the nation’s most active centers of medical research. Every day, Temple scientists advance the fight against disease, push the boundaries of medical science, and work to alter the course of serious illness. These achievements – made through basic science and translational research – are unraveling the molecular mysteries of disease.
Our researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries across the scientific spectrum, in such areas as cancer biology, cardiovascular and thrombosis research, cell and developmental biology, HIV research, immunology and autoimmunity, neuroscience, pharmacology, pulmonary research, and substance use disorder research. These scientists are recognized at national and international levels, and are primarily funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Examples of our research breakthroughs include:
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is one of the nation’s most active centers of medical research. Every day, Temple scientists advance the fight against disease, push the boundaries of medical science, and work to alter the course of serious illness. These achievements – made through basic science and translational research – are unraveling the molecular mysteries of disease.
Our researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries across the scientific spectrum, in such areas as cancer biology, cardiovascular and thrombosis research, cell and developmental biology, HIV research, immunology and autoimmunity, neuroscience, pharmacology, pulmonary research, and substance use disorder research. These scientists are recognized at national and international levels, and are primarily funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Examples of our research breakthroughs include:
- A vital step toward a cure for HIV (the cause of AIDS). Our scientists used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to eliminate SIV, the simian equivalent of HIV, from the genomes of non-human primates. Led by Kamel Khalili, PhD, this revolutionary research offers new hope to the 36 million people living with HIV.
- A major discovery in the fight against heart disease. Our researchers uncovered the critical role of circular RNA in tissue repair after heart attack. Raj Kishore, PhD, and his colleagues were the first to demonstrate these mechanisms, which offer a promising new foundation for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases – the leading cause of death worldwide.
Focus on Translational Research
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine is closely connected to Temple University Hospital, a nationally respected academic medical center. Located directly across the street from the medical school, the hospital provides countless opportunities for researchers to collaborate with physicians and conduct cutting-edge translational research. Moreover, the hospital’s biobank provides deidentified samples for research, which directly increases the impact of translational research. Temple University clinicians participate in clinical trials initiated both by the medical school’s investigators and by outside companies. These trials also generate patient samples for research.
Collaborating with Clinicians: An Example
In a recent breakthrough, our researchers found that quercetin, a plant pigment, prevents development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in small animal models. This discovery has led to a clinical trial to test the benefits of quercetin for COPD, in partnership with clinicians at the Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery.
Our scientists partner with colleagues at other top institutions across the country and the world. For example, researchers from the School of Medicine collaborated with experts from Tulane University (in New Orleans, Louisiana) to achieve the HIV-related breakthrough described above.
Read more about the latest research at the 15-plus research centers at Lewis Katz School of Medicine.
Collaborating with Clinicians: An Example
In a recent breakthrough, our researchers found that quercetin, a plant pigment, prevents development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in small animal models. This discovery has led to a clinical trial to test the benefits of quercetin for COPD, in partnership with clinicians at the Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery.
Our scientists partner with colleagues at other top institutions across the country and the world. For example, researchers from the School of Medicine collaborated with experts from Tulane University (in New Orleans, Louisiana) to achieve the HIV-related breakthrough described above.
Read more about the latest research at the 15-plus research centers at Lewis Katz School of Medicine.
State-of-the-art research facilities and services
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine is based in a custom-designed, 480,000-square-foot Medical Education and Research Building, which opened in 2009. The 11-story facility is home to more than half of the school’s research scientists. It features open lab space that facilitates investigator-trainee interaction and collaboration. Moreover, the medical school provides the tools needed to conduct trailblazing research. This technology is housed in several centralized facilities and available to all departments. Our core facilities and services include the Biostatistics Consulting Center, Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, and Flow Cytometry Core, as well as the renowned Fox Chase Cancer Center and Temple University School of Pharmacy.
Supporting our postdocs
The medical school’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs helps young researchers make the most of their time at Temple. The office’s knowledgeable, supportive staff offers timely and practical training that adds value to the postdoctoral experience, while continually evolving with the ever-changing training landscape.
Our strategy is to enhance our postdocs’ research skills, career development, and social and interpersonal skills. In addition to one-on-one mentoring in the lab, we provide a range of workshops, panel discussions, seminars, and networking opportunities to postdocs. These activities are designed to advance lab-management skills, grantsmanship, communication, academic and industry career exploration, and interviewing skills. In addition, Temple’s Postdoctoral Association, run by postdocs, holds an annual research symposium and social gatherings throughout the year.
Compensation and Benefits
Postdocs receive a highly competitive compensation package, including the stipend level and health benefits set by NIH, dental insurance, and generous paid vacation and sick days.
Our strategy is to enhance our postdocs’ research skills, career development, and social and interpersonal skills. In addition to one-on-one mentoring in the lab, we provide a range of workshops, panel discussions, seminars, and networking opportunities to postdocs. These activities are designed to advance lab-management skills, grantsmanship, communication, academic and industry career exploration, and interviewing skills. In addition, Temple’s Postdoctoral Association, run by postdocs, holds an annual research symposium and social gatherings throughout the year.
Compensation and Benefits
Postdocs receive a highly competitive compensation package, including the stipend level and health benefits set by NIH, dental insurance, and generous paid vacation and sick days.
How to apply to open postions at Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Learn more about postdoc openings, resources, policies, and information on how to apply visit the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Need more information?
Questions? Email Uma Sajjan, Ph.D., Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Lewis Katz School of Medicine, [email protected] or call 215-707-7139.
